Join the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Legal Community Pledge partners for a virtual US Refugee Rights Pro Bono Workshop on September 10.
Across the United States, nonprofits, including refugee-led organizations (RLOs), diaspora groups, and other community-based organizations (CBOs), are central to protecting the rights and dignity of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and other forcibly displaced communities. This workshop is designed to help your organization access free legal assistance (pro bono) to build operational resilience, strengthen governance, and enhance your advocacy and protection programs.
Organizing Partners
Pledge Core Group members PILnet, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, A&O Sherman, are teaming up with UNHCR, and Refugee Congress to co-organize the 2026 US Refugee Rights Pro Bono Pitching Roundtable connecting refugee-led and community-based organizations directly with law firms committed to the Pledge and fostering locally led, sustainable partnerships.
Why Attend?
- Learn about pro bono legal support available in the U.S. and internationally
- Hear real-life examples of successful pro bono partnerships
- Get practical guidance on navigating common challenges when working with law firms
- Learn how to develop strong, actionable pro bono project proposals
Who Should Attend?
- Community-based organizations (CBOs), refugee-led organizations (RLOs) and diaspora groups working with forcibly displaced and stateless populations across the United States
- Refugee or stateless-serving nonprofits and civil society organizations working at any level in the US (local to national).
- International refugee or stateless-serving nonprofits and civil society organizations that are based in the US, or have legal needs associated with their US programming.
This workshop kicks off a collaborative process designed to match your organization with dedicated legal support:
- Preparatory Workshop (September 10): Introduces the pro bono landscape and draws on case studies and lessons from the first US Roundtable, consistently the most valued part of past workshops, plus practical guidance on scoping and pitching a project.
- Collaborative Intake & Project Scoping (September – October): Interested organizations submit project ideas via a Legal Assistance Intake Form; Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and A&O Sherman and PILnet will work with the organisations to help refine their proposals, supporting organizations that may be engaging with pro bono processes for the first time.
- Project Catalogue (Mid-October 2026): PILnet will compile the scoped proposals into a project catalogue and pitching agenda, shared with participating legal professionals in advance of the Roundtable.
- US Refugee Rights Pro Bono Pitching Roundtable (October 16): Nonprofits present concrete legal projects, spanning transactional and programmatic needs, from governance and regulatory compliance to complex immigration matters and systemic advocacy, directly to law firms, in-house teams, and other legal professionals.
- Matching and Ongoing Support (October onwards): PILnet and co-organizers provide follow-up support to facilitate effective matching and sustainable partnerships.