The Wire
October 2011

In response to requests from a host of law departments PBI is pleased to announce the launch of its Corporate Task Force on Global Pro Bono. Recognizing the high demand for and unique challenges inherent in in-house global pro bono work, PBI’s Global Pro Bono Project has teamed up with Corporate Pro Bono, a partnership project of PBI and the Association of Corporate Counsel, to assemble leaders of key legal departments to serve as thought leaders and emissaries for corporate global pro bono.

Chairing the Task Force is Michael Sposato, Deputy General Counsel at Caterpillar, Inc.** Task Force Members – from the U.S., Europe, and Latin America – include in-house leaders representing the legal departments of Accenture plc**; BNY Mellon; Citigroup Inc.**; General Electric Company**; General Motors Company**; Hewlett-Packard Company**; Intel Corporation**; LexisNexis Group**; Merck & Co., Inc.**, Microsoft Corporation**; Pfizer Inc.**; Starbucks Corporation**; Syngenta; Verizon Communications Inc.**; and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.**

The Task Force will serve as a forum for confidential and candid dialogue and the exchange of information and ideas. The group is charged with identifying obstacles to pro bono outside the U.S., positing solutions, identifying the most productive sources of pro bono work, and developing replicable leading practices. Projects undertaken by the Task Force will also help support and inform the work of PBI’s expanding Global Pro Bono Project. Early initiatives of the Global Pro Bono Project include publishing the Business Case for Global Pro Bono; increasing global programming and participation at PBI’s annual Conference; and updating and expanding the Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Selected Jurisdictions, a joint project of PBI and Latham & Watkins LLP*. The Task Force promises to be a tremendous asset to the in-house legal community, and a vehicle for promoting pro bono and advancing access to justice around the world.

*denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge®
**denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge℠