Overview
Our global pro bono legal network, TrustLaw, works with leading law firms and corporate legal teams to facilitate free legal support, research and resources for civil society organisations, social enterprises and non-profit independent media around the globe.
As the largest pro bono legal network in the world, TrustLaw draws on the expertise of more than 120,000 lawyers in 190 countries. We leverage the power of the law to protect, support and empower organisations at the frontlines of social or environmental change, and to strengthen and defend independent media. From practical reforestation projects to advocacy around media freedom, targeted pro bono assistance has a vital role to play in unlocking potential and accelerating impact.
How it works
TrustLaw is a completely free service open to law firms and corporate legal teams globally. Once a member, you can access available pro bono opportunities from vetted civil society organisations and social enterprises through our easy-to-use online platform and can volunteer to work on projects that align with your interests and skills. We connect you with the client once your offer is accepted, and our international team remains on hand to provide support for the duration of the project.
TrustLaw is a completely free service available to non-profit independent newsrooms. Once a member, your newsroom will be able to request advice or guidance on legal issues arising from your day-to-day operations. A member of the TrustLaw team will help you scope your legal request during a call and will then draft a clear overview of your pro bono matter. We share each request with TrustLaw’s legal members and collate offers of assistance, ensuring that lawyers are qualified to take on your matter. We share these offers with you and then connect you with the legal team you choose. For-profit independent newsrooms are welcome to contact our Legal Service for Independent Media for support (add link) instead. The service is also free.
Our network
Advisors
The TrustLaw Pro Bono Council comprises outstanding leaders in the legal and non-profit sectors representing different geographies and backgrounds. Together they provide critical advice and guidance to help expand the practice of pro bono worldwide, strengthening civil society and driving positive change.
Members
TrustLaw’s network is made up of more than 7,400 members across civil society organisations, social enterprises, and lawyers based in 190 countries globally.
TrustLaw Awards 2024
From extraordinary pro bono projects to outstanding law firms, teams and individuals, the annual TrustLaw Awards celebrate the power of pro bono legal services to drive social impact, spotlighting meaningful impact from partnerships across the world.
How we help
Lawyers
We support legal teams to strengthen and expand their pro bono programmes, facilitating opportunities and partnerships, and providing a suite of resources, tools and training.
Civil society organisations & social enterprises
We empower civil society organisations and social enterprises to thrive globally. By connecting them with legal experts, we help them navigate challenges, protect rights, and amplify impact in an increasingly complex world, fostering positive social change.
Independent media
We provide a wide range of free legal services and resources to support independent media and journalists around the world, equipping them to strengthen their resilience and counter legal threats.
Our Impact
Pro bono support is a powerful driver of social impact, enabling civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media to boost their reach and resilience.
Organisations supported
We count over 6,500 civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media across 190 countries as part of our network. Each has access to free legal support from 1,200 law firms.
Pro bono hours
Through our services, leading legal teams have contributed the equivalent of more than $271 million in legal know-how and brainpower, supporting the needs of organisations on the frontlines of social change.
Connections
To date, we have facilitated over 10,000 pro bono connections around the world. Behind each of these connections are thousands of lawyers donating their time and expertise to civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media.
Impact spotlight
View more storiesPro bono brokerages are indispensable to the provision of free legal service, so it’s important that they receive corporate support. TrustLaw is so much more than a brokerage – it is a whole ecosystem raising awareness of the world’s most critical issues while also providing ways to address them. We are truly proud to partner with TrustLaw.
Our partnership with TrustLaw spans more than a decade. In that time, they have invested in getting to know us as much as we’ve sought to collaborate with them, which has opened the door to hundreds of exciting, diverse and meaningful engagements around the world. Without a doubt, our partnership with TrustLaw has been fundamental in helping us create the foundation needed for growing and supporting our global pro bono program.
Working with TrustLaw allows us to have a greater impact on human rights needs in Latin America while reinforcing the legal community’s commitment to strengthening access to justice.
As an NGO we are always looking for creative way to do more with less. I feel privileged to have had access to the pro-bono legal services available through the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw service, the unparalleled support and expertise have allowed us to create a credible, informative and inspiring publication. This piece of work signifies Community Business’ mission to enhance LGBT+ workplace equality and, thanks to TrustLaw’s assistance, we hope that it will have a lasting and profound impact on our community.
Giving Programme
TrustLaw Giving Programme
Our exceptional partners from the Giving programme provide generous funding to support TrustLaw’s work to increase access to law and strengthen civil society to confront some of the greatest challenges of our time.
Resources
View all TrustLaw resourcesLegal Threats Against Lawyers Protecting Journalists: Preliminary Findings
As ‘lawfare’ against journalists escalates in intensity and complexity, lawyers play a critical role in safeguarding free and independent media. As a result, they are…
TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono 2022
The TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono is the only global survey measuring the amount of pro bono practised by law firms across the world. By highlighting features of successful pro bono programmes and providing benchmarks on pro bono participation and…
TrustLaw Legal Health Check for NGOs and Social Enterprises- Arabic Version
The TrustLaw Legal Health Check is a practical resource designed to help identify legal matters relevant to NGOs and social enterprises, and tailor our pro bono legal…
Measuring Pro Bono Impact
In today’s world, measuring impact is essential, particularly in driving social change. However, measuring impact, especially in the context of pro bono services within the social economy, can be challenging and costly. This guide aims to bridge this gap….
Comparative study on climate change laws in Latin America
This report covers and compares climate change laws in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru based on twelve factors, including adaptation and mitigation plans, financial…
Guilty till proven innocent? Safeguarding the rights of pre-trial detainees across the commonwealth
The excessive and arbitrary use of pre-trial detention is a global problem, affecting developed and developing countries…
Regulatory Mapping on Artificial Intelligence in Latin America
Latin America has seen several efforts to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Countries are increasingly enacting bills, policies and strategies, mainly motivated by European…
Towards a sustainable future: Cases of study of regulatory frameworks enabling impact economy
This report highlights the legal mechanisms currently in existence from different countries in LatAm that have catalysed a positive…
UNLEASHING CHANGE: A practical guide to impact investing in South Africa
This guide examines the laws and policies governing impact investing in South Africa, as well as different types and sources of financing that can be accessed for impact…
For-Profit Social Enterprise on Social Stock Exchange: A Legal Explainer
India needs a significant capital injection to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target by 2030 and deal with climate change. Impact investing, catalyzing…
Guide to Legal Rights in the US (Spanish Version)
El Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas (CPJ, por sus siglas en inglés) y The Thomson Reuters Foundation responden a las necesidades de los periodistas en Estados Unidos conforme éstos afrontan numerosos…
Guide to Legal Rights in the U.S.
A guide for journalists in the United States as they face a range of challenges, from confrontations with law enforcement at demonstrations to raids on newspaper offices, and learn to navigate what has become an increasingly hostile…
Pre-publication Legal Due-Diligence Guide for Journalists
This guide has been published to assist journalists with minimising their legal liability by providing a checklist of factors to consider before publication. It outlines four key considerations…
Expanding Opportunity: A Guide to Impact Investing in Southeast Asia
This user-friendly guide on impact investing laws across seven countries in Southeast Asia- Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar is a valuable…
Global Boardroom Diversity: Legal Findings on Disability and Diversity
This briefing was produced by Disability:IN, a global non-profit driving disability in business, and supported by pro bono legal support facilitated by TrustLaw. It analyses the…
Legal Analysis on the New Gender Trends in the World of Work
This report gathers the main findings of a piece of research the objective of which was to analyse the existing regulatory framework on violence and harassment against women in the world of work…
Get in touch
Together we can leverage the power of pro bono to drive social change
Get in touch to find out more and gain access to TrustLaw’s services.
