Overview
The TrustLaw Awards celebrate the remarkable legal teams and pro bono projects undertaken by the network’s legal members for NGOs, independent media and social enterprises around the world.
During this year’s Awards campaign, we will be recognising nominees and awarding one winner for each of the following categories:
- Impact Award
- Collaboration Award
- Powered by Pro Bono Award
- International Law Firm of the Year
- Regional Law Firm of the Year
- In-House Legal Team of the Year
- Lawyer of the Year
For more information on the criteria for each award category, please read our Award Categories for 2026.
Throughout June, we will be celebrating the nominees and winners of the TrustLaw Awards across our website and LinkedIn. Join the conversation on LinkedIn with the hashtag #TrustLawAwards and engage with us via the link below.
Vote for the Lawyer of the Year Award
This Award honours an individual lawyer (or team of lawyers) who has gone above and beyond in providing exceptional pro bono support to TrustLaw members. We had an open call for nominations during April and the winner will be decided through a public vote. Deadline for voting is 18 June, 2026.
Nominees
Collaboration Award Powered by Pro Bono Award International Law Firm of the Year Award Regional Law Firm of the Year Award In-house Legal Team of the Year Award Lawyer of the Year Award Impact Award
The Impact Award recognises an outstanding legal research project that has had demonstrable change and significant outcomes for the work done by the pro bono client, for example within their community, for the beneficiaries they serve, within legal frameworks, or on the issues on which they work.
Nominees
Strengthening LGBTQIA+ rights advocacy in the Philippines
Pro bono legal research on anti-discrimination legislation helped MUJER create a guide for LGBTQIA+ groups in the Philippines to understand and defend their rights amid rising threats.
Securing protections for marine protected areas in Europe
Pro bono legal research helped EJF advance stronger marine protections in Europe, contributing to an EU court ruling protecting Marine Protected Areas from harmful fishing practices.
Providing safe, secure homes for families in Colombia
Pro bono legal support helped Fundación Fruto Social de la Palma strengthen and grow a rural housing project in Colombia, providing homes for 108 families facing housing insecurity.
Testimonials
At Hogan Lovells, we believe legal services can do more than solve problems – they can help unlock impact. Whether supporting NGOs, underserved communities, or business and sustainable enterprises, our work is guided by a commitment to help build a fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable future.
Pro bono services provide the perfect opportunity for impact law firms such as ours to provide impactful and meaningful legal advice to social enterprises across various sectors. This opportunity provides a means through which law firms can diversify their CSR initiatives using their legal expertise therefore enabling social enterprises to grow.
At Gibson Dunn, pro bono work reflects our commitment to professional excellence and a tireless pursuit of justice. In 2025, more than 2,000 lawyers dedicated over 240,000 hours to advancing civil rights, supporting underserved communities, and protecting fundamental freedoms—delivering meaningful impact while strengthening our culture and values.
For us at Marval, Pro Bono is not only part of our work; it is part of our identity. Our formal institutional program is supported by clear structures, dedicated resources, and a committed network of professionals who choose every day to make a difference through the practice of law.
Pro bono work is integral to our culture at Addleshaw Goddard, offering our lawyers the opportunity to apply their expertise to meaningful causes. It strengthens our teams, broadens perspectives, and delivers tangible impact for communities who might otherwise lack access to legal support.
Pro bono is simply doing the right thing. It has brought our team closer together and created unexpected synergies with law firms and institutions we admire. The Donar Online project is one example: Cross-border collaboration across Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, with real, measurable social impact. The people in this world are remarkable.
Pro bono work is a vital part of any lawyer’s career. You cannot underestimate the importance of empowering colleagues to help many great causes through TrustLaw. Our teams get the opportunity to learn from peers outside Entain whilst helping make positive changes to both local and global communities.
Thank you, TrustLaw, for providing MSD with the opportunity to support charities and social enterprises as they navigate obstacles and unlock new opportunities. Being able to play even a small role in advancing their aspirations is incredibly meaningful. Each project represents a step toward something greater; stronger communities, more equitable systems, and lasting positive change.
Lawyers are in a unique position to help those vulnerable to injustice. Milbank has one of the oldest law firm pro bono programs – we appointed a full-time pro bono partner to the position in 1993. It’s part of the culture here, it’s a privilege, and it starts at the top; our chairman is deeply involved in our pro bono efforts.
