We live in a world of potent inequalities where access to justice is a struggle to achieve for everyone. This is a challenge not only for individuals but also for community groups, not-for-profit organisations and individuals. As one of Kenya’s leading law firms, we believe it is our responsibility to help those without access to legal services.
Our pro bono efforts allow our lawyers to be part of a positive social change as they assist causes that benefit society the most. Our Pro bono efforts are strategic, targeted and collaborative. ALN Kenya takes a strategic approach when selecting pro bono matters. We are careful to ensure that the use of our time and resources will cause positive ripple effects and result in maximum benefit to society rather than simply doing several ad hoc matters.
In this regard, the ALN Kenya Pro Bono Committee attempts to be very strategic about the projects taken on to be pursued by lawyers in the firm.
We aim to support the following:
- matters seeking to improve governance and promote democracy.
- matters that assist charities that:
work in Africa;
assist vulnerable groups; or
help the environment. - matters that enhance the rule of law and have a public interest element over and above an individual need.
- matters that can leverage ALN Kenya’s unique position as a full-service law firm and its relationship with ALN to provide a positive outcome.
- other worthy causes of flagrant injustice to individuals or groups or of personal interest to partners or staff of ALN Kenya.
We focus our pro bono efforts on these specific thematic areas which can match our expertise to real needs.
In the past years, ALN Kenya team has worked with esteemed organisations in providing pro bono services, including AmericaShare USA, Fair Trials UK, Conservation Alliance of Kenya/ Raabia Hawa, The Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya, Mawingu Networks, Trust Law, Center for Reproductive Health, among others.
Throughout the year, our lawyers have been actively involved in our pro bono matters. Over 30 lawyers from different practice groups within the firm have dedicated an average of more than 100 hours to pro bono work in 2022, with a total of approximately 4,000 hours having been spent on pro bono work. This is a clear indication of the commitment and dedication our lawyers have to pro bono matters and to the firm’s overall commitment to enhancing the rule of law. We aim to involve over 40 lawyers in pro bono work next year.
In 2021, we introduced awards for our champions who dedicated most hours to pro bono work to appreciate their efforts and dedication. In October 2022, the pro bono committee awarded two sets of associates i.e.
- Associates who attended the Strathmore Law Clinic Legal Aid week; and
- The Associates who have recorded significant time on the pro bono matters they are handling.
Each year, our lawyers have worked hard to deliver high-quality services to our pro bono clients. We aim to take on more impactful matters on a pro bono basis this year to maximise the impact of our pro bono offering.
Click here to download and read the full 2022 / 2023 CSR & Pro Bono Report.
