PILnet: the Global Network for Public Interest Law (www.pilnet.org) is dedicated to expanding the practice of law to defend human rights in countries around the world. PILnet was founded in 1997 to help strengthen the rule of law in Eastern Europe, and today works to promote the growing number of public interest legal professionals working to defend human rights in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East/North Africa region.
The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice (www.vancecenter.org) advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of international lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, it brings together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs.
The New York City Bar Association (the “NYCBAR”) (www.nycbar.org) since its foundation in 1870 has been dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards among attorneys, promoting legal reform and providing services to the legal profession and the general public. The NYCBAR promotes political, legal, social and innovative programs aimed at disadvantaged groups. The protection of the public welfare is another priority of the NYCBAR.
The City Bar Justice Center is affiliated with the New York City Bar Association. The Justice Center provides direct legal representation, education, referrals and advocacy to over 20,000 low income New Yorkers annually through pro bono attorneys, staff and other volunteers. The Justice Center draws upon its relationship with the New York City Bar Association to mobilize lawyers, law firms, corporate legal departments, nongovernmental organizations, law schools, the courts and other legal institutions to address the legal needs of the disadvantaged. Clients include immigrants, homeless families, domestic violence victims, senior citizens, cancer patients and survivors, consumers filing for bankruptcy, homeowners facing foreclosure, new small businesses, veterans and more. The Justice Center recruits, trains and mentors volunteers to provide legal advice and representation; offers a free telephone legal hotline; and matches volunteer attorneys with civil cases and projects in need of support.
