Extreme poverty remains a vexing problem worldwide. While global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, one in ten people in developing regions still lives on less than $1.90 a day – the internationally agreed poverty line, and millions of others live on slightly more than this daily amount.
Co-founded by Bono and other activists, ONE Campaign is fueled by the belief that the fight against poverty isn’t about charity, but about justice and equality. It is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity.
Four Lex Mundi member firms in three countries have worked to assist ONE’s impressive mission. Day Pitney LLP (USA, New Jersey), Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (USA, Indiana and Minnesota), Bowmans (South Africa), and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. (France) have all provided pro bono legal advice and counsel to ONE on a variety of topics. In the U.S., Lex Mundi members have helped with trademarks and on nonprofit compliance issues while in Kenya ONE benefited from advice on setting up a charitable affiliate. In France, Elena Piotrowski and Guillaume Navarro provided several hours of critical pro bono support to guide the ONE team through complex employment regulations and issues.
“The advice and guidance I received from pro bono lawyers through Lex Mundi have been invaluable to ONE”, said Hoodo Mohammed, ONE’s Corporate Counsel. “I am particularly thankful for the advice I received from Elena Piotrowski and Guillame Navarro at Gide,” she continued, “having no personal knowledge of French labor law, they offered sage counsel, were extremely attentive to our needs, and were always available to answer time-sensitive questions to help us through a complex process.”
“Providing ONE with legal assistance was truly an amazing experience,” Piotrowski and Navarro added. “We were delighted to work hand in hand with ONE on a daily basis to help their counsel handle a complex HR-related issue,” they continued, “ONE gave us the chance to tackle a legal challenge while being involved in an important philanthropic mission.”
