New Perimeter

As a global business law firm, one of the most important ways that we contribute to our communities is through the provision of free legal services. Pro bono work is an important part of our history and our future. DLA Piper’s commitment is unparalleled and every lawyer is encouraged to make a serious and sustained effort to do pro bono work. In 2011, the firm devoted over 170,000 hours to pro bono initiatives, which makes us one of the largest providers of pro bono legal services in the world.

As a thought leader in the creation and delivery of pro bono services our goal is to engage in innovative pro bono projects, develop a leading pro bono practice and help build a pro bono culture in the legal profession around the world. As a global law firm, our responsibility goes beyond the cities and countries where we work to include pro bono projects in developing and post-conflict countries.

Our approach to pro bono is consistent with our vision to be 'truly local, truly global'. In every DLA Piper office we aim to have a strong pro bono practice that is appropriate to the local circumstances and culture. We act for hundreds of charities, community groups, social entrepreneurs and low income individuals who would not otherwise have access to legal services to improve education, economic empowerment and equality. Our global pro bono practice acts for and with some of the world's leading global charities, aid agencies, NGOs, UN agencies, governments and academic institutions around the world.

New Perimeter New Perimeter is our nonprofit organization established to provide pro bono legal assistance primarily in developing and post-conflict countries. Founded in 2005, New Perimeter draws on the skills and talents of more than 4,000 DLA Piper lawyers globally. To maximize our impact, we send teams of lawyers into the field to work alongside our partners and clients whenever possible. We focus our work on legal education, women and children’s rights, access to justice and law reform, environmental protection, economic development and food security.

New Perimeter supports social and economic development, as well as transparent and sound legal institutions. We do this in part by providing direct assistance on projects designed to strengthen a country’s legal system, improve the skills of its judges and lawyers, encourage economic growth, promote the rule of law and/or strengthen human rights. We also do this by providing internal strategic legal counsel to organizations working to further these same goals. Whether we are teaching at a law school, training judicial officials, helping a government draft laws or providing technical assistance to an organization, one of our primary goals is to increase the capacity of the local institution. Because New Perimeter is committed to an interdisciplinary approach, we regularly partner with DLA Piper clients, academic institutions and NGOs to achieve our mutual goals.

Read more about our recent pro bono work on the DLA Piper pro bono website and visit the New Perimeter website for more information on our global pro bono initiatives.