International Senior Lawyers Project

09/25/2025

Find out the latest on ISLP's work to mobilize pro bono legal support for where it is needed most including building civil society resilience, defending free expression, promoting natural resource management and taxation and supporting land tenure rights. Our latest newsletter is out.

September 2025 Newsletter – Adding to Our 25 Years of Global Impact Louise Kelly2025-09-23T18:36:28-04:0023 September 2025|ISLP News| ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌  ...

09/24/2025

Find International Senior Lawyers Project at the Forum for Internet Freedom in Africa 2025 this week in Windhoek, Namibia, with Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa

ISLP's Bridget Mafusire, regional legal advisor based in Zimbabwe, will be moderating Bridging the Divide: Legal Pathways for Equitable Revenue Sharing Between Traditional Media and Digital Platforms on Friday September 26, 2025, 2:30 pm.

It is a complicated question that needs to be explored to sustain independent media and press freedom while protecting free expression. Talk it over with our experts and learn about ISLP's ability to mobilize top-flight pro bono legal expertise on media law, responsible technology, commercial law, social entrepreneurship, and more!

09/23/2025

SLP is celebrating our first 25 years of global impact!

The International Senior Lawyers Project started 25 years ago as a cutting edge idea for marshaling the expertise of top-flight lawyers after long and distinguished careers at major firms. Our founders’ theory was that international lawyers have a meaningful role to play in leveling the legal playing field of global development. Today our volunteers include lawyers at every stage of their careers making practical contributions to support governments, civil society, and social entrepreneurs. Our lawyer volunteers have:

🔹 Worked in over 100 countries
🔹 Contributed tens of thousands of pro bono hours
🔹 Led high-impact, demand-driven projects
🔹 Delivered negotiation and transactional support on complex development projects, helped draft law and regulatory reforms, aided litigation, conducted research, and produced publications.

Celebrate with us on November 10 at ISLP’s 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City! Tickets on sale now at www.islp.org.

12/17/2024

We are thrilled to feature David Schulz in our latest Volunteer Spotlight! ISLP extends heartfelt thanks to David, a dedicated media law volunteer, for his invaluable contributions to our work over the years. He has volunteered on projects in Central Europe, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. Please visit our Youtube channel to hear about his contributions and experience with ISLP.

Dave Schulz talks about his experience working as an ISLP volunteer.

11/12/2024

With heavy hearts, ISLP pays tribute to our beloved colleague and friend, Dick Winfield, who passed away on October 22 at the age of 91. As one of our founding directors, Dick was a leader and champion for the organization since its earliest days 25 years ago. He established and for more than 20 years led ISLP’s Media Law Working Group – which last year we re-named The Winfield Freedom of Expression Initiative.

Dick was a generous mentor, collaborator, and trusted friend. For journalists, media outlets, and media defenders around the world, he was a devoted ally and effective advocate. We will continue to be inspired by Dick's great intellect, unflagging commitment to human rights and media freedom, and unmistakable charisma, warmth, and good-natured humor. We honor Dick's legacy with pride and appreciation. We will miss him dearly. Here is a link to a special tribute from ISLP founders Bob Kapp and Tony Essaye, reflecting on Dick’s extraordinary contributions to ISLP’s mission and work:

In Memoriam Richard “Dick” Winfield 1933 - 2024. ISLP Newsletter Special Edition, November 2024. With heavy hearts, ISLP pays tribute to our beloved colleague and friend, Dick Winfield, who passed away on October 22 at the age of 91.

11/07/2024

The ISLP team heartily congratulates our board Chair Yasmine Lahlou of Chaffetz Lindsay and Emeritus Board Member Ank Santens of White & Case on their recent appointments to the Court of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Yasmine, also ISLP’s board chair, has been appointed Member of the Court of International Arbitration representing Morocco as well as co-chair of the Working Group on Expedited Procedure Provisions and Update of Commission Reports, part of the Commission on Arbitration and ADR. Ank has been appointed Member of the ICC Court representing Belgium and, accordingly, is also an ex officio member of the Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

We are so lucky to have Ank and Yasmine both as leaders of ISLP and as volunteers on various ISLP pro bono arbitration matters in support of governments and legal communities around the world, including in Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Guyana.

10/21/2024

On the occasion of pro bono week, the International Senior Lawyers Project sincerely thanks our volunteers for their outstanding work and commitment to ISLP. Our generous volunteers’ support is vital to our mission, and our global impact would not be possible without you. In 2023, we had more than 300 volunteers contribute almost 13,000 pro bono hours. Together we are making a difference!

10/21/2024

Impact update: Anti-counterfeit law reform in Uganda.
Ugandan media recently reported notable progress in a national effort to combat counterfeit products that pose a threat to public health. In partnership with the Anti Counterfeit Network Africa (ACN), ISLP is pleased to have been able to support the effort together with volunteers from White & Case LLP, Raj Gandesha and Mazin Elhag. We are honored by Legal Advisor Fred Muwema's recognition of these contributions, including "excellent peer review of the draft Anti-Counterfeit Bill 2023." ISLP congratulates and recognizes ACN and the Ugandan advocates and leaders who have been steadfast leaders and champions of reform on this important issue. In the words of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among: "Counterfeit products may seem affordable initially, but they come with steep long-term costs."

Among Launches Anti-Counterfeit Expo to Combat Fake Goods.

09/12/2024

With our volunteers Kristin Hoo, James Boswell, and Calvin Vaughan from Kirkland & Ellis, we assisted in the development of a loan agreement enabling ISLP client Energicity, a rapidly expanding power provider in Sub Saharan Africa, to bring much-needed solar mini- and micro-grids to previously underserved communities in Liberia.

The solar grids and high-capacity batteries provided by Energicity deliver affordable, green power to areas beyond the reach of the local power grid, ensuring continuous electricity. This reliable access to electricity transforms lives by improving healthcare and expanding economic and educational opportunities.

Energicity shared that “The Kirkland team ... carried us through with persistence and great legal advice… [that] was critical to getting the deal done and ultimately to providing electricity to tens of thousands of people in Liberia.”

09/09/2024

Another ISLP legal training in the books! As part of our ongoing partnerships with the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), and the Lusaka International Arbitration Centre, this week ISLP delivered a two-day webinar training series for arbitral secretaries. Over 350 participants registered, reflecting widespread interest in the topic.

The arbitral secretary role is an often overlooked opportunity for increasing efficiency and efficacy within domestic alternative dispute resolution systems and international arbitration centers. As demand for ADR and international arbitration skills and services surge across Africa, this series engaged both experienced practitioners and those interested in learning practical insights into the role of arbitral secretaries. The international panel of presenters brought the perspectives of seasoned arbitrators, arbitration lawyers, and arbitral center secretariat. Topics included:

✔ duties and ethical considerations
✔ the appointment process
✔ case management
✔ procedural orders
✔ hearing preparation and support
✔ tips and guidance on pursuing professional opportunities in this area

ISLP is grateful to our distinguished speakers: Paulman Chungu (Chungu Associates), Ndanga Kamau, Joy Maina (NCIA), Lucy Martinez (Martinez Arbitration), and Angelina Petti (Von Segesser Law Offices). Thank you to our ISLP colleagues Glory Kinyua (Kenya) and Bridget Mafusire (Zimbabwe) for their leadership in organizing and moderating the events.

This event received financial and technical support from Advocates for International Development’s ROLE UK Programme and UKAid.

07/25/2024

Watch our webinar on the Global Minimum Tax jointly sponsored by the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): taking stock of new developments, reviewing updates to the rules, and sharing experiences from developing countries on implementation and adaptation.

Taking stock of new developments, reviewing updates to the rules, and sharing experiences from developing countries on implementation and adaptation.Recorded...

06/24/2024

New forms of tax competition are emerging as the world implements the 15% global minimum tax. Join us on July 18th to learn about what developing countries need to know: https://iisd-elp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hBSVO5EWQJy05HOdHbO_AA

This webinar will be in English with interpretation available for participants in French, and Spanish. Thank you to our partners at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), our moderator Alexandra Readhead, and speakers Vikram Chand, Kudzai Mataba, Zach Pouga, Stephen Shay, Claudia Vargas, and Eniye Ogbebor LLM, ACIArb(UK) for facilitating this discussion.