This according to Monique Villa, the CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She spoke at the global launch of the TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono which was held at The Venue in Sandton.
Nicholas Glicher, on behalf of the Thomson Reuters Foundation explained, “The Index is the first of its kind, and it takes a look at the pro bono work undertaken by law firms on a country-by-country basis and it identifies success stories and global trends within the mark.”
Villa presented the report and its findings. “We work with the best law firms to provide free legal assistance to non-governmental organisations and social enterprises in 150 countries,” she explained. Villa is a journalist, a business leader, and an advocate for women’s empowerment.
Glicher said ever since Villa’s appointment at the foundation in 2008, she has transformed the organisation into a global corporate foundation, leveraging the skills, expertise, and values of Thomson Reuters to run ground-breaking programmes which trigger change and empower people across the world.
Villa added that 2013 had been an incredible year for the foundation. She went on to commend South African law firms and lawyers for their willingness to contribute towards pro bono practices. “TrustLaw is the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s award winning service that spreads the practice of pro bono worldwide,” said Villa. “We connect the best law firms and corporate legal teams around the world with non-governmental organisations and social enterprises in need of free legal assistance.”
