History

The International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) was founded by a group of public-spirited senior partners of global law firms on the basis of two fundamental premises: first, that there is a widespread need throughout the developing world for legal assistance from experienced attorneys; and second, that there is a growing pool of attorneys at or near retirement age who have the ability to help meet that demand and the desire to serve the world community. From September 2000 through May 2001, ISLP undertook a comprehensive Preparation Phase Study (the Study) to determine the validity of these premises. The Study was generously funded by grants from the Open Society Institute, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation.

During this seven-month period, hundreds of potential users and providers of pro bono assistance were interviewed. These included nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) addressing issues of human rights and social justice; governmental agencies undertaking law reform efforts; international, foreign and domestic legal assistance providers; bar associations and other lawyers' groups; international law firms; law schools and their alumni organizations; and private foundations. To better assess the capacity of foreign NGOs to use senior lawyer volunteers from outside their borders, in-depth discussions were held with representatives of several Eastern European and Southern African organizations. Discussions also were held with approximately 200 senior lawyers from throughout the United States to assess the potential supply of qualified and interested American volunteers. Finally, the Study drew upon the considerable international experience of the founding members of ISLP, who collectively contributed hundreds of pro bono hours to the effort to organize ISLP and participated in the completion of the Study.

The Study found a widespread need for the volunteer services of skilled lawyers in all fields of law, not simply to undertake and complete an assigned task, but, more importantly, to develop the capacity of local lawyers and local organizations to meet the needs of their communities. Lawyers with experience in human rights law and litigation strategies are needed to assist, mentor and train indigenous human rights lawyers. Government lawyers and judges are needed to assist governments in institutional restructuring. Mediators are needed to train public and private sector professionals in dispute resolution procedures. Business lawyers are needed to advise and strengthen the capacities of local organizations working to create economic and other opportunities in impoverished areas, as well as to assist international and local agencies with legal reforms that promote economic development and combat corruption. And experienced practitioners and academics are needed to teach subjects ranging from international human rights to intellectual property law.

The Study also confirmed that assistance from highly skilled and experienced American lawyers, despite differences in language, political structures and legal systems, would be welcomed by indigenous NGOs and local public agencies, if volunteers were selected for their relevant skills and experience and were given appropriate orientation or training. Potential recipients recognized that many of their legal needs are transnational in nature, encompassing such areas as international human rights, the development of legal institutions and legal frameworks, negotiating and developing legal documents, compliance with and enforcement of international and regional laws, and the development of educational and training programs for lawyers and law students. Furthermore, in many cases volunteers would partner with local attorneys, thereby alleviating some of the problems inherent in working within a foreign legal system.