We have a long history of giving back and helping those in need, building a more inclusive society, and providing equal access to justice
We work for systemic change in our legal system and for meaningful change in the lives of individuals by helping our clients overcome obstacles that appear insurmountable. We hold our pro bono work to the same high standards of quality, service, and care as any other client, and our efforts drive tangible outcomes that make a real difference.
Impact of pro bono at Ashurst Perkins Coie
We represent hundreds of pro bono clients annually. Every day, we partner with nonprofit and community-based organizations to advocate for people who are internally displaced, stateless, seeking asylum or have refugee status; champion human and civil rights; and fight for housing, education, food, benefits, and economic justice for individuals in our communities. We actively encourage all lawyers to engage with our pro bono practice and provide the same level of value and support for pro bono work as we do for any other client matter.
Our pro bono program is highly regarded in the legal community for its dedication to providing legal assistance to people and organizations with limited resources in our local communities. We regularly tackle complex cases that affect the most vulnerable clients and address wider systemic issues.
Through our pro bono work, we continue to amplify our clients' stories, change lives, and transform communities.
Fellowships and Secondments
In the United States, we have established a Racial Justice Fellowship, which offers current first- and second-year associates the opportunity to spend six months working with civil rights or criminal justice organizations that promote racial equity.
“The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Ashurst Perkins Coie allowed me to immediately experience the reach and impact my law degree and license could bring. To help the communities that I care about on fundamental principles of education is an experience that I will cherish forever.”
- Former Racial Justice Fellow
We also offer five 24-month Public Interest Law Fellowships in Australia. These Fellows are formally employed as Ashurst Perkins Coie lawyers and are seconded full-time to the not-for-profit for the duration of their employment. Candidates for these Fellowships are not existing Ashurst Perkins Coie lawyers and are hired according to the job requirements of the not-for-profits.
There is a separate program for pro bono part-time and full-time secondments available to existing Ashurst Perkins Coie lawyers, ranging from a few weeks to six months in duration, in multiple countries.
Immigration and Asylum work in England and Wales
In England and Wales, the Solicitors Regulatory Authority require us to provide a disclaimer about the small number of immigration and asylum cases that we work on in collaboration with our not-for-profit clients. You can read this statement at Pro Bono Immigration Work. Please note that in our statement, assistance with immigration and asylum matters in England and Wales is limited to our pre-existing programmes.
