Nominations for the 2026 PILnet Global Awards are now open! Our Global Awards recognize the best pro bono legal projects undertaken in a local or global context. Through the awards, we celebrate outstanding efforts, both collaborative and independent, on behalf of civil society organizations and the public interest. We invite nominations for the following categories:
- PILnet Global Partnership Award—innovative pro bono legal project undertaken as a cross-sectoral collaboration with an impact felt in more than one country.
- PILnet Local Impact Award—a pro bono legal project with an impact felt at the local or national level.
Major accomplishments/deliverables of the nominated project must have been delivered between July 1, 2025-July 1, 2026 to be eligible for consideration. Winners will be annouced and feted at the PILnet Global Awards Dinner November 12.
Through these awards, we want to encourage the development of long-lasting and substantial networks through which the legal community can better serve the public interest and advance social change.
PILnet Global Partnership Award
Definition: This award recognizes the most innovative pro bono legal project undertaken as a cross-sectoral collaboration with an impact felt in more than one country.
Eligible collaborative projects can be undertaken by law firms or in-house counsel at corporations working with NGOs, social enterprises, or community organizations. Projects involving multiple organizations are also eligible for consideration. Anyone can nominate a global partnership that meets this criteria.
Project period: Eligible projects should be substantially completed or set to achieve full or partial impact between July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. If a project started earlier than July 1, 2025, its major activities and achievements must be demonstrated in the designated time-frame.
PILnet Local Impact Award
Definition: This award recognizes the most innovative pro bono legal project with an impact felt at the local or national level.
Eligible projects can be collaborations or independent projects and can be undertaken by law firms, in-house counsel at corporations, NGOs, bar associations, and/or the larger pro bono community. Anyone can nominate an impactful local project that meets this criteria.
Project period: Eligible projects should be substantially completed or set to achieve full or partial impact between July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. If a project started earlier than July 1, 2025, its major activities and achievements must be demonstrated in the designated time-frame.
PILnet Pro Bono Publico Award
Definition: The PILnet Pro Bono Publico Award recognizes legal professionals with an extraordinary, passionate, and long-standing commitment to service for the public good. The recipient of this award is chosen by PILnet staff and board members.
Popular Choice Pro Bono Award
Definition: This award recognizes the pro bono project that PILnet Global Forum attendees view as the most impactful. Forum registrants will have the opportunity to vote on the shortlisted projects for the Global Partnership Award and Local Impact Award prior to the Forum. One winner will be recognized in this category. Projects can only be recognized for one award. If the winner of this category is chosen as the winner of the Global Partnership or Local Impact award, then the Pro Bono Project of Popular choice will be awarded to the second most popular project.
Past Winners
PILnet’s Global Awards recognize the best pro bono legal projects undertaken in local and global contexts. PILnet’s goal in bestowing these awards is to celebrate outstanding efforts, collaborative and independent, on behalf of civil society activities and public interest lawyering. Through the awards, PILnet also seeks to encourage the development of long-lasting, substantial partnerships and networks through which the legal community can better serve the public interest and advance social change.