HALL OF FAME
DLA Piper US LLP - 2007
New Perimeter
DLA Piper’s creation of its nonprofit affiliate New Perimeter is an unprecedented move by one of the world’s leading law firms to dramatically expand what it means for lawyers to commit to pro bono service. New Perimeter’s mission is to strategically bring our legal experience to bear on some of the world’s most pressing problems—creating, providing legal support for, and completing major projects that address such issues as health care, hunger, corruption, environmental sustainability, economic development, law reform, and human rights. Its volunteer attorneys work on initiatives that take them to underdeveloped or developing countries, where they assist in building institutions that will endure and open the way for stronger societies and better lives. New Perimeter also is an institutional template for generating and sustaining such projects on a regular basis. No other law firm has embarked on anything like New Perimeter—it is unique in the world.
http://www.dlapiper.com/
http://www.newperimeter.com/
Question & Answers with Sheldon Krantz, Chair, New Perimeter
What goal were you trying to achieve? Why was it important?
Our goal was, and remains, to provide pro bono opportunities to DLA Piper attorneys that would allow them, and DLA Piper as a whole, to address complex problems outside the United States in such areas as rule of law, human rights, hunger, health care and the environment. That led us to the idea of creating an affiliated nonprofit – New Perimeter – to provide DLA Piper with a more strategic approach to pro bono work and bring our lawyers' experience to bear on some of the world's most pressing problems.
There are so many critical needs for pro bono legal assistance. Our attorneys in and outside the US have much to offer, and their perspectives and abilities are broadened when they immerse themselves in the problems challenging other cultures.
How did you gather the internal support, resources and personnel to make it happen? Was there resistance?
We convened an internal working group that included DLA Piper’s co-chairs and other key partners. We were gratified by the support we received to take our pro bono program to another level by creating New Perimeter and providing it with an external advisory board. Through New Perimeter, we have been able to offer our attorneys the chance to be part of one of several nascent projects. Then and now, those who wish to take part must apply and be considered for a project, in a competitive process, and must be willing to devote considerable time and energy to the work. It is gratifying to add that, from the start, the competition to participate in these programs has been considerable. Certainly, there were obstacles along the way, but with the support of the working group – and particularly of the co-chairs – together with an ongoing internal educational effort, opposition and concerns have dissipated.
What was the most satisfying aspect of making your project a reality?
The most satisfying aspect of this was moving from an idea – creating an affiliated non-profit and giving it a mandate to tackle difficult global problems – to seeing our people on the ground in places like Kosovo, working alongside Kosovars to help create an independent judiciary for a new nation, and in Johannesburg, to provide support to the Southern African Litigation Centre, and to human rights lawyers in 10 southern African countries.
How have you measured the success of your innovation over time?
We have already conducted evaluations of three of our completed projects – phase one of our efforts in Kosovo; our assistance to the Southern Africa Litigation Centre; and our work with The Global Fund to help reduce the risk that funds for HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis will be misappropriated through fraud and abuse. These evaluations were conducted by members of New Perimeter’s Advisory Board.
How have your lawyers, staff and clients responded to this innovative accomplishment?
Through these evaluations and other opportunities to speak about New Perimeter’s work, we have learned that not only our attorneys but our clients have great enthusiasm for this program. We are still young, however, and have much more to learn about being even more effective.
What has been the reaction from your competitors, or from the local legal community and media?
The response to New Perimeter and its unique approach to global pro bono service have been very positive. We have heard some surprised reactions that DLA Piper has been willing to invest more than $6 million annually in lawyer time for global pro bono service and to permit its lawyers to work abroad for extended periods on New Perimeter projects.
What advice do you have for others who might wish to make something new happen in their law practice or firm?
It takes patience and tenacity to develop and implement an entirely new pro bono concept. Law firms are by nature conservative institutions. We had to demonstrate that the concept is sound, that we can achieve defined goals and provide the necessary services effectively, and that practice groups are willing to make their lawyers available for the allocated time.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about your experience with this project?
So far we have learned that there is an enormous level of interest throughout DLA Piper to become involved in this type of pro bono work. We have quickly discovered that there is a vast need for programs like the ones being offered by New Perimeter. We have come to realize, however, that in many instances law firms must partner with other disciplines to address needs most effectively. Lawyers are often better problem solvers when they work in partnership with others who share the same pro bono commitment, as well as the willingness to listen to and advise clients, rather than impose solutions upon them.
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DLA Piper’s creation of its nonprofit affiliate New Perimeter is an unprecedented move by one of the world’s leading law firms to dramatically expand what it means for lawyers to commit to pro bono service. New Perimeter’s mission is to strategically bring our legal experience to bear on some of the world’s most pressing problems—creating, providing legal support for, and completing major projects that address such issues as health care, hunger, corruption, environmental sustainability, economic development, law reform, and human rights. Its volunteer attorneys work on initiatives that take them to underdeveloped or developing countries, where they assist in building institutions that will endure and open the way for stronger societies and better lives. New Perimeter also is an institutional template for generating and sustaining such projects on a regular basis. No other law firm has embarked on anything like New Perimeter—it is unique in the world.
http://www.dlapiper.com/
http://www.newperimeter.com/
Question & Answers with Sheldon Krantz, Chair, New Perimeter
What goal were you trying to achieve? Why was it important?
Our goal was, and remains, to provide pro bono opportunities to DLA Piper attorneys that would allow them, and DLA Piper as a whole, to address complex problems outside the United States in such areas as rule of law, human rights, hunger, health care and the environment. That led us to the idea of creating an affiliated nonprofit – New Perimeter – to provide DLA Piper with a more strategic approach to pro bono work and bring our lawyers' experience to bear on some of the world's most pressing problems.
There are so many critical needs for pro bono legal assistance. Our attorneys in and outside the US have much to offer, and their perspectives and abilities are broadened when they immerse themselves in the problems challenging other cultures.
How did you gather the internal support, resources and personnel to make it happen? Was there resistance?
We convened an internal working group that included DLA Piper’s co-chairs and other key partners. We were gratified by the support we received to take our pro bono program to another level by creating New Perimeter and providing it with an external advisory board. Through New Perimeter, we have been able to offer our attorneys the chance to be part of one of several nascent projects. Then and now, those who wish to take part must apply and be considered for a project, in a competitive process, and must be willing to devote considerable time and energy to the work. It is gratifying to add that, from the start, the competition to participate in these programs has been considerable. Certainly, there were obstacles along the way, but with the support of the working group – and particularly of the co-chairs – together with an ongoing internal educational effort, opposition and concerns have dissipated.
What was the most satisfying aspect of making your project a reality?
The most satisfying aspect of this was moving from an idea – creating an affiliated non-profit and giving it a mandate to tackle difficult global problems – to seeing our people on the ground in places like Kosovo, working alongside Kosovars to help create an independent judiciary for a new nation, and in Johannesburg, to provide support to the Southern African Litigation Centre, and to human rights lawyers in 10 southern African countries.
How have you measured the success of your innovation over time?
We have already conducted evaluations of three of our completed projects – phase one of our efforts in Kosovo; our assistance to the Southern Africa Litigation Centre; and our work with The Global Fund to help reduce the risk that funds for HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis will be misappropriated through fraud and abuse. These evaluations were conducted by members of New Perimeter’s Advisory Board.
How have your lawyers, staff and clients responded to this innovative accomplishment?
Through these evaluations and other opportunities to speak about New Perimeter’s work, we have learned that not only our attorneys but our clients have great enthusiasm for this program. We are still young, however, and have much more to learn about being even more effective.
What has been the reaction from your competitors, or from the local legal community and media?
The response to New Perimeter and its unique approach to global pro bono service have been very positive. We have heard some surprised reactions that DLA Piper has been willing to invest more than $6 million annually in lawyer time for global pro bono service and to permit its lawyers to work abroad for extended periods on New Perimeter projects.
What advice do you have for others who might wish to make something new happen in their law practice or firm?
It takes patience and tenacity to develop and implement an entirely new pro bono concept. Law firms are by nature conservative institutions. We had to demonstrate that the concept is sound, that we can achieve defined goals and provide the necessary services effectively, and that practice groups are willing to make their lawyers available for the allocated time.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about your experience with this project?
So far we have learned that there is an enormous level of interest throughout DLA Piper to become involved in this type of pro bono work. We have quickly discovered that there is a vast need for programs like the ones being offered by New Perimeter. We have come to realize, however, that in many instances law firms must partner with other disciplines to address needs most effectively. Lawyers are often better problem solvers when they work in partnership with others who share the same pro bono commitment, as well as the willingness to listen to and advise clients, rather than impose solutions upon them.
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