News on Purpose July 2025

A Legacy of Impact, A Future of Possibility: 20 Years of Pro Bono with Lex Mundi

In June, we kicked off the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration with a special reunion hosted by Gide Loyrette Nouel, A.A.R.P.I. (member firm for France) in Paris. We were honored to be joined by current and former Lex Mundi attorneys, including our founders, Dave Roll and Barry White, whose vision and dedication sparked two decades of meaningful impact.

What began twenty years ago as a bold idea—that the expertise of the Lex Mundi network could be harnessed to support those tackling the world’s most pressing challenges—has grown into a global force for good.

Over the years, the Foundation has cultivated a culture of pro bono service that reflects the values, leadership, and spirit of collaboration embedded across the Lex Mundi community. Together, we have supported nearly 1,500 social enterprises on 3,000 projects spanning 119 countries; advancing innovative solutions in global health, climate resilience, education access, gender equity, and more.

The 20th anniversary kickoff was not only a celebration of these remarkable achievements, but a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a global legal community commits to giving back. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lex Mundi attorneys around the world for your partnership, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of pro bono to drive lasting change. We look forward to building on this legacy and to the next 20 years of transformative work together.

Global Report on Social Procurement Launched at Davos with Key Contributions from Lex Mundi Firms

The State of Social Procurement 2025 report, an ambitious, data-driven exploration of how social procurement is reshaping global supply chains, was officially launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the global movement toward more inclusive, resilient, and socially responsible business practices.

At the heart of this initiative is the collective expertise of the Lex Mundi network. Member firms from across the world played a pivotal role in shaping the report’s legal and regulatory analysis, contributing expertise across 39 jurisdictions.

Published by the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, the report draws on data from over 150,000 supply chain events. One of its most striking findings: 1 in 5 material supply chain issues are linked to social factors, highlighting the urgent need for procurement strategies that prioritize social impact.

Key themes from the report include:

  • Strengthening supply chain resilience through social procurement.
  • Understanding emerging regulatory frameworks and their global implications.
  • Novel financing mechanisms for social impact in value chains; and
  • Country-specific case studies from over 10 nations, showcasing social procurement in action.

 

This collaborative effort once again highlights the global reach and impact of Lex Mundi member firms in advancing the social enterprise ecosystem. Their deep knowledge and commitment were critical to the success of this initiative and are helping to drive the global conversation on how business can be a force for good.

Honoring Excellence: 2025 Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awardees and Network Recognition

Isis Bous, Managing Director of the Foundation, had the privilege of recognizing the winners of the 16th Annual Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awards during the 2025 Lex Mundi Annual Conference in Nashville. These awards honor Lex Mundi law firms that have provided critical pro bono support to some of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.

The five winners are:

 

 

With high-caliber legal support, social impact organizations can scale faster, serve more people, and ultimately have greater impact. This year’s winners supported a wide array of clients with diverse missions ranging from advancing accessible reading technology to producing sustainable biofertilizer. Each greatly benefited from the pro bono assistance provided by Lex Mundi attorneys. You can learn more about their work here.

In addition to celebrating these outstanding member firms, the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation received multiple awards over the past year. The Foundation was recognized as a Winner in two Humanitarian Action & Services categories at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards: one for social impact ecosystem building and another for thought leadership.

Following this, the Foundation received five additional honors, including:

  • Corporate Livewire’s Legal Nonprofit Organization of the Year
  • Lawyer International – Legal 100: Pro Bono Legal Innovation Award
  • Legal Insider Awards: Best Pro Bono Legal Services for Sustainable Change
  • USA 100: Leader in Pro Bono Legal Innovation Award
  • Global 100: Pro Bono Legal Innovation Award

 

These awards are not just a reflection of the Foundation; they represent the collective impact of the entire Lex Mundi network. Every recognition received was made possible by the unwavering support of Lex Mundi member firms and attorneys. They are a powerful reflection of the strength, collaboration, and generosity that define this community. On behalf of the Foundation and all those we serve, thank you for being an essential part of this work.

News on Purpose May 2026

In This Issue

  • Twenty Years of Changing the World: The Foundation Celebrates its Anniversary and 2026 Award Winners in Vienna
  • Reimagining Ticketing as a Force for Good 
  • Sowing Change in Caribbean Farming Communities

Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Announces New Appointments to its Board of Directors

During the Lex Mundi Annual Conference in Vienna on Friday, April 24, 2026, Eduardo Geli of Uría Menéndez (Spain) was elected as the new Chair of Lex Mundi and the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation’s Board of Directors also elected Meredith Rathbone, Steptoe LLP (USA, DC) to the position of Chair-Elect and Megan Costa DeLeon, Akerman LLP (USA, FL) as a new director.

Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Global Impact and Announces 2026 Pro Bono Award Winners

Five member firms honored for outstanding pro bono service as Foundation marks two decades of connecting the world’s leading law firms with the social impact sector

  • Marval, O’Farrell and Mairal, Lex Mundi member for Argentina
  • JunHe LLP, Lex Mundi member for China
  • Foley Hoag LLP, Lex Mundi member for USA, Massachusetts
  • Bowmans, Lex Mundi member for South Africa
  • Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., Lex Mundi member for France

News on Purpose January 2026

In This Issue

  • An Incredible 2025 in Review
  • Planting the Seeds of Sustainable Growth in Bhutan
  • Legal Expertise Meets Innovation: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs Across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

News on Purpose November 2025

In This Issue

  • Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Wins Two Anthem Awards
  • Launching the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Special Interest Group
  • Breaking Barriers in Communication for the DeafBlind Community

News on Purpose July 2025

In This Issue:

  •  A Legacy of Impact, A Future of Possibility: 20 Years of Pro Bono with Lex Mundi 
  • Global Report on Social Procurement Launched at Davos with Key Contributions from Lex Mundi Firms
  • Honoring Excellence: 2025 Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awardees and Network Recognition