PILnet

06/25/2026

Are you a lawyer committed to using the law as a tool for social change?

We have a few spaces remaining for PILnet's free, intensive four-day training on Human Rights Strategic Litigation and Trial Advocacy taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13–16 November 2026, in partnership with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).

The programme is highly practical and designed to build core litigation skills, including:
- Case theory development and litigation planning
- Examination and cross-examination techniques
- Working with expert witnesses
- Courtroom simulations

Please note: Applications may close before the stated deadline once all places are filled. If you're interested, we strongly encourage you to submit your interest as soon as possible.

Have questions? Visit our FAQ page before applying:https://www.pilnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FAQ-NITA-Training-3.pdf

The training takes place immediately after the PILnet Global Forum (10–12 November), organised in partnership with ProBono.Org, a great opportunity to combine both experiences.

Submit your interest for the training: https://www.pilnet.org/event/training-on-human-rights-strategic-litigation-trial-advocacy/
Register for the Global Forum: https://www.pilnet.org/event/pilnet-global-forum/

PILnet’s Global Forum convenes around 400 lawyers from around the world to develop strategies for using the law to protect civil society.

06/24/2026

Join us for a free online webinar designed for legal professionals across Africa looking to expand or launch their pro bono work with civil society organisations.

Hosted in collaboration with Trustlaw, the session will cover:

- The current access-to-justice landscape across Africa
- Key areas where legal expertise is needed
- How lawyers can contribute through remote and in-country pro bono work
- Best practices for cross-border legal volunteering
- Opportunities to collaborate with nonprofits, social enterprises, and community organizations. Where are the gaps and how can you contribute?
- How pro bono engagement benefits both communities and legal professionals

When: July 2, 2026 12:00 – 1:30 PM West Africa Time / 2:00 – 3:30 PM East Africa Time.

See the full agenda and how to register here:

What: Webinar for legal professionals in Africa looking to expand or launch their pro bono work with civil society organizations. When: July 2, 2026 12:00 – 1:30 PM West Africa Time / 2:00 – 3:30 PM East Africa Time. Where: Online Who: The webinar is hosted by PILnet and TrustLaw

06/23/2026

One week left to grab Super Early Bird rates for the !

Each year, the PILnet Global Forum brings together lawyers, in-house counsel, and bar associations with representatives of civil society and academia from around the world to discuss how to best use pro bono and public interest lawyering to support nonprofit and civic organizations, and build more just, sustainable societies.

Find out more about the registration policies and how to register here: https://www.pilnet.org/event/pilnet-global-forum/registration-details/

06/18/2026

In March, we completed our first-ever Responsible Business & Indigenous Rights International Course. It was a four-part online series that brought together 350 participants from across the globe: indigenous leaders, lawyers, civil society organisations, and business representatives in honest dialogue about extractive industries and Indigenous rights.

With simultaneous English-Spanish translation, sessions covered legal frameworks, landmark Inter-American human rights cases, corporate due diligence, conflicts of interest, and the realities of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), bringing together voices that rarely share the same platform.

The response reminded us why this work matters. One participant said: "Thank you very much, it has been an honor to be part of this course where the voice of the collective to which I belong is rarely heard. I hope that the universe allows me to continue learning from you."

Find the full recap of what this sessions meant here: https://www.pilnet.org/collaboration-highlights-from-the-2026-responsible-business-and-indigenous-rights-course/

You can now also enrol for the course which is is now open here:https://learn.pilnet.org/courses/course-v1:pilnet+Ind101+2026_Q1/about

PILnet gathers business leaders, representatives of Indigenous communities, and legal professionals for a course on protecting Indigenous rights amid growing extractive industry activity in the Global South.

06/16/2026

Have you registered yet for the 2026 PILnet Global Forum?

In partnership with ProBono.Org and Empire Partner Foundation, we are bringing the Global Forum to Africa, for the first time. Watch the video below to learn why this is an important milestone for us and find out how to register here: https://www.pilnet.org/event/pilnet-global-forum/

06/15/2026

Last week's launch set the tone for an incredible week of pro bono across Europe.

Over 70 participants joined eight speakers to dig into this year's theme "Reinforcing Pro Bono Ecosystems: Building Partnerships That Last" and the conversations did not disappoint.

Three things we're still thinking about:

🔹 Pro bono legal support is now formally recognised in the EU Strategy for Civil Society a milestone for the sector
🔹 The 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide covers nearly 40 European jurisdictions, reflecting the remarkable growth of pro bono infrastructure across the continent
🔹 Clearinghouses aren't just matchmakers they're ecosystem builders, creating partnerships that drive systemic, lasting change

And that was just the beginning. The week went on to bring 16 events across 14 countries. Read the full launch recap here:

The eighth annual European Pro Bono Week launched June 8 with an online roundtable discussion featuring leaders in pro bono and civil society from around Europe, building momentum for an inspiring week of 16 events across 14 countries growing the pro bono community and partnerships with civil societ...

06/12/2026

It's the final day of and we're closing the week in style.

In Hungary, PILnet's Pro Bono Friday opened its doors for one-on-one online consultations with legal professionals, covering the areas that matter most to NGOs: taxation, data protection, employment, and more.

We want to thank all the lawyers and Civil Society Organizations across Europe that came together, exchanged ideas, built connections and reaffirmed their commitment to a pro bono ecosystem. You made a success.

📸 below are pictures from some of the events that happened this week.

06/12/2026

June is World Refugee Month. This month, we are taking a moment to highlight the incredible work of our partners and our team behind the .

Over 120 million people are forcibly displaced today, and many more millions are stateless or unable to prove their nationality. For these communities, legal assistance has never been harder to access. The Pledge brings together law firms, nonprofits, refugee-led organisations, bar associations, UN agencies, and academia to put the power of the law to work with and for displaced and stateless people.

Members have committed to over one million hours of free legal assistance between 2023–2027 and are already exceeding their annual targets by more than 50% as per our latest reports.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency calls it a "transformative initiative that demonstrates what becomes possible when the global legal community unites around a shared purpose."

To learn more about the impact our members are making, read our latest GRF Legal Community Pledge Report here: https://shorturl.at/KoMDV

Interested in joining this growing community? Get in touch with our Programme Director for Forced Displacement, Jasmine Simperingham.

06/11/2026

As builds toward its close, three countries are hosting standout events today.

In Belgium (Brussels), the Brussels Pro Bono Roundtable returns at Mayer Brown, bringing together Brussels' distinctly European pro bono community for workshops, roundtable discussions and networking.

In Germany, day two of Pro Bono Deutschland e.V.'s programme continues with a members' roundtable on recent developments and the future priorities for Germany's pro bono ecosystem.

In Luxembourg, a roundtable bringing civil society, the Bar Association, commercial clients, and a UN association into the same room.

Keep up with the week’s schedule

Join us for the European Pro Bono Week Launch Event on June 8 at 3 p.m. CET to celebrate the vital role played by volunteer lawyers. This year’s topic is Reinforcing Pro Bono Ecosystems: Building Partnerships That Last. Panelists will discuss ways to embed pro bono ecosystems on the national and E...

06/10/2026

Today is the biggest day of
, seven countries, back-to-back events, and pro bono in action from Belfast to Kyiv.

In France (Paris), there are two events today: first, a visit to HANDILAB, an incredible innovation hub dedicated to disability and autonomy, exploring how law firms can collaborate with the organisations inside it. Then, an evening panel at Dechert LLP on defending children's legal rights, featuring NGOs and the pro bono lawyers who support them.

In Germany, Pro Bono Deutschland e.V.'s two-day programme tackles independent contractor law for nonprofits and leadership design for associations, with a members' roundtable on the future of the German pro bono ecosystem.

In Italy (Rome), the ninth edition of Italy Pro Bono Day, hosted by Hogan Lovells! A celebration of a full year of work by the Pro Bono Italia working groups.

In Ireland: Partnering for Impact: Law, Governance and Utilising Pro Bono: An opportunity for NGOs to gain legal insights into areas of law relevant to the running of their organisation and networking with the legal profession.

In Netherlands, a morning roundtable at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek for law firms and NGOs on pro bono best practices, followed by an afternoon "How to Do Pro Bono" workshop at DLA Piper, ideal for lawyers ready to take their first step.

In Northern Ireland (Belfast), PILS (Prévention Information Lutte contre le SIDA) hosts a lunchtime seminar with keynote speaker Naga Kandiah, 2025 LawWorks Pro Bono Award winner.

In Ukraine, Pro Bono Space Ukraine runs a masterclass supporting veterans in founding civic organisations, from legal registration to governance, helping Ukraine's veterans channel their experience into action.