The year 2020 won’t be forgotten in a hurry. For all the destruction and crisis that has ensued following the global outbreak of covid-19, the need for – and desire to participate in – pro bono is greater than ever. In the 13th year Latin Lawyer and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice have published this survey we are proud to have received a record-breaking number of responses, a sign that more and more Latin American firms are committed to directing their services to benefit the most vulnerable and in need groups.

The number of people belonging to these groups is increasing dramatically amid the ongoing covid-19 crisis, which is threatening to push tens of millions of people in Latin America below the poverty line. Our research considers how the pandemic has impacted pro bono work in the region so far, examining some of the inspirational and unprecedented cases lawyers have aided, but also how the pandemic has forced lawyers to evolve their practice to connect with those in need.

Greater digitalisation of the legal world has been a long time coming, but the pandemic has been a catalyst for greater online communication between pro bono lawyers and their clients. While this has allowed lawyers to potentially reach a wider audience – through the use of smartphones, social media and other online platforms – there’s a paradox at play: often it is those who are most marginalised and most in need of help that lack access to these technologies. Our first article in this series explores the ways law firms are supporting pro bono clients amid the pandemic.

The remainder of the series largely concentrates on pro bono data from 2019, the last full year at the time of polling law firms. It provides insight into the progress law firms are making in cementing their pro bono practices through greater institutionalisation. The second article explores the ways law firms are formalising their internal processes to keep up with growing demand and secure a culture of doing pro bono among their workforces. From speaking with firms, we found more and more vocalising their ambition to foster a way of thinking among their lawyers that goes beyond having the right structures in place; they want lawyers to be accountable for their participation in pro bono too.

Clearing houses continue to play a crucial role in helping their members connect with societies in need. Demand for pro bono counsel still far outweighs supply, unfortunately, but clearing houses help law firms to best utilise their time so that lawyers can do what they do best: lawyering. Positively, our survey recorded membership of clearing houses is at an all-time high in Latin America. The majority of firms taking part in our survey are tapping into these organisations and recognise their unique value in the pro bono chain. The third article in this series considers how clearing houses are adapting to the evolving needs of clients and members by expanding their networks to make pro bono more diverse and inclusive.

We also speak to lawyers from Mexico’s Greenberg Traurig, SC, the recipient of Latin Lawyer’s Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award, about the firm’s efforts to elevate its pro bono practice. We interviewed lawyers from Brazil’s TozziniFreire Advogados, recipient of Latin Lawyer’s Pro Bono Project of the Year Award for its role on a project to help communities in one of the biggest favelas in São Paulo.

This series contains the latest list of Leading Lights – law firms making a noteworthy contribution to strengthening Latin America’s pro bono culture.

Latin Lawyer and the Vance Center would like to thank the following clearing houses for their help encouraging firms to take part in our survey and for their feedback on their local pro bono communities: the Comisión de Trabajo Pro Bono in Argentina; Brazil’s Instituto Pro Bono; the Fundación Pro Bono in Chile; the Fundación Pro Bono Colombia; the Costa Rican Comisión Pro Bono; the Dominican Republic’s Fundación Pro Bono; Fundación Pro Bono Guatemala; Fundación Barra Mexicana, Appleseed and Centro Mexicano Pro Bono in Mexico; CIDSEP in Paraguay; the Alianza Pro Bono in Peru; Fundación Pro Bono Uruguay; and ProVene in Venezuela.