PILnet strengthens the legal resilience of civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Asia Pacific by providing tailored pro bono assistance in legal areas such as registration, restructuring, employment law, data privacy, and governance. Operating in jurisdictions including Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, PILnet connects CSOs with private practice lawyers whose expertise supports both organizational needs and programmatic work. This includes legal research and analysis, comparative studies, drafting policy recommendations, and, in some cases, direct legal support for CSO clients.
Recognizing that pro bono culture is still developing in the region, PILnet fosters a stronger ecosystem by building partnerships with law firms, expanding lawyer networks, and creating collaborative platforms like the Hong Kong Pro Bono Roundtable. It also invests in future public interest lawyers through initiatives such as the Law for Change Student Competition, internships, mentoring, and training programs. Additionally, as a global leader on refugee rights pro bono, PILnet mobilizes legal professionals to meet the needs of displaced communities in Thailand and supports refugee-led organizations in Malaysia and New Zealand, advancing long-term, community-driven change.