Lawyers Without Borders Crossing Borders to Make a Difference

Lawyers Without Borders is a nonprofit organization that channels legal pro bono hours to human rights and other nonprofit organizations in the world. Current LWOB services include but not limited to legal document review, child rights, detainee rights, fair trial observations, and intern sponsorships.

Hartford, CT (PRWEB) May 31, 2004 -- Lawyers Without Borders, Inc. (hereafter LWOB), an international non-profit organization located in Hartford, CT, proudly launched its comprehensive legal pro bono support services to the legal community, human rights and other non-profit organizations in the world. These services primarily revolve around connecting lawyers interested in pro bono services to NGOs in need of their expertise. Since its inception, LWOB have channeled thousands of pro bono hours to NGOs in various countries including Brazil, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Romania, Tehran, UK and South Africa.

LWOB was conceived three years ago by Christina Storm. After 20 years in active trial practice, Ms. Storm decided to dedicate herself to pro bono service, but found that the resources for placement were lacking. She founded LWOB with a network of colleagues who shared her vision and created a portal and pro bono culture for lawyers to channel their skills into preserving the integrity of justice systems on a global level. Specific LWOB projects include NGOs and Lawyer Linkage, CLEARS (Creating Legal Accessibility and Resources with Students), Lawyer to Lawyer Counseling, INS Detainee Observation, Neutral Independent Court Trial Observer, Lawyers At Risk, African Child, Jobs Board, and Borderlines Newsletter.

NGO and lawyer linkage project was the first one conceived at LWOB. Through this project, hundreds of lawyers have helped NGOs with cases in child rights, detainee rights, trial observations, incorporations, land laws, trade name applications, criminal defense counseling and child adoption. Recently, LWOB established a Jobs Board" on its web site where NGOs can post their vacancies and search for lawyers or students with appropriate background. The Jobs Board" helps automate the connection process and allows LWOB to expand this service to any NGOs with an Internet connection.

One of the most recent LWOB achievements involved sourcing law books in Arabic languages for law students in Iraq. The project was originally launched in request to a response sent from a lawyer and Army Reservist on active duty in Iraq. He was welcomed by the Dean of the Law School at Sulaymaniyah University to teach American Legal System, but needed a textbook on American law, in Arabic. Within days, he got what he needed by contacting LWOB. Through collaborative efforts of NGOs, local and national corporations as well as lawyers from New York Tri-State area, Iraqi law book project is in full swing and plans to increase the number of universities and curriculum receiving assistance.

LWOB is also trying to link several US and Canadian law schools to human rights or international law research needs of both US and overseas non-profit organizations. Some past and present research projects include assisting a Canadian NGO with false news cases, country research on Liberia for a Swedish NGO, critical review of proposed Palestinian Constitution, review of domestic violence policies and laws, and policy development for a Middle Eastern Womens NGO. The promise of this linkage brings a resource to non-profits and benefits law students by giving them hands-on" experience in the international arena.

Through actively engaging in these activities, LWOB hopes to support worldwide NGOs capacity building, advance rule of law, reduce crimes against humanity, protect the integrity of legal process, and promote pro bono services in the legal community. LWOB continues to solicit partners to aid the growing effort to reach out to the legal community and NGOs.

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About Lawyers Without Borders, Inc.
Based in Hartford, CT, Lawyers Without Borders, Inc. is an international non-profit organization that channels legal pro bono hours to human rights and other non-government organizations in the world. Since its inceptions, it has developed various projects in the areas of child rights, detainee rights, criminal defense counseling, fair trials and intern sponsorships. Through its efforts, hundreds of lawyers and students have been connected to NGOs from such countries as Brazil, Canada, Iraq, Iran, UK, Sweden, Tehran and South Africa.