Pro Bono SG, DLA Piper and Singapore Corporate Counsel Association Launch Updated Pro Bono Guide
On 22 January 2025, Pro Bono SG (PBSG), together with our partners DLA Piper and the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA), launched an updated version of the Singapore In-house Legal Counsel Pro Bono Guide. This new and improved version reflects the evolving pro bono landscape and provides in-house counsels with the resources and inspiration needed to engage with this vital work. The launch event, hosted by DLA Piper, marked a key moment in the inaugural Pro Bono Weeks, an initiative led by PBSG to promote a more vibrant pro bono culture in Singapore.
A Growing Movement
Ms Katherine Chew, Partner at DLA Piper, emphasised the firm’s commitment to pro bono work, highlighting their dedicated team in Asia and the impressive 6,350 hours of pro bono service contributed in the last financial year. She showcased impactful projects undertaken with major clients like Amazon Web Services and Standard Chartered Bank, ranging from comparative legal research to empowering NGOs with legal knowledge.
Mr Dinesh Dhillon, our Chairman, underscored the importance of Pro Bono Weeks in embedding a pro bono ethos within the legal profession. He highlighted the various events, including a roundtable discussion at A & O Shearman and the launch event itself.
Empowering In-House Counsel
The event emphasised the crucial role in-house counsels play in promoting access to justice. Mr Dhillon stressed that in-house counsels, with their unique position within corporations, can be powerful advocates for positive change and ensure their companies operate ethically and responsibly.
Ms Vivienne Sandhu, Pro Bono Ambassador 2024/2025, shared her inspiring pro bono journey, which began with assisting vulnerable individuals and evolved to include complex criminal defense cases, representing those who often face significant barriers to legal assistance.
Practical Guidance and Inspiring Examples
Ms Claudine Tan, Head of the Volunteer Management Team at Pro Bono SG, and Ms Serene Gan, Chair of SCCA’s Pro Bono Chapter, highlighted the practical value of the newly launched guide. It serves as a roadmap for in-house counsel, providing essential insights to navigate the complexities of pro bono work – covering legal frameworks, liability considerations, and establishing pro bono programs within organisations.
The event also showcased inspiring case studies of successful pro bono initiatives by companies like Accenture and Bloomberg, demonstrating the meaningful impact that in-house legal teams can bring to their communities.
A Call To Action
The launch of the updated guide serves as a powerful call to action for in-house counsels across Singapore. It provides the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to embrace pro bono work and contribute to a more just and equitable society. As Pro Bono Weeks continue, the legal community in Singapore is poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who are the Least, the Last, and the Lost in law.