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At Regional IBA Forum in Peru, Vance Center Events Feature Pro Bono, Gender Equity, and LGBTQ+ Rights in the Americas
The Vance Center partnered with the Pro Bono Network of the Americas, Alianza Pro Bono Perú, WIP Perú, and top law firms to host three exciting events alongside the IBA Regional Forum, held in Lima, Peru, in March.
Panelists Carolina Zang and Anabeli González and moderator Andrea Morelli Ferreyros speak at the WIP Breakfast in Lima, Peru, on March 19. 2025. Photo credit: Adrián Marcos García
The well-attended events offered an opportunity for members of the Vance Center’s pro bono network to connect, share ideas and best practices, and set the stage for new paths for pro bono practice, gender representation, and a renewed focus on human rights throughout the region’s legal profession.
Pro Bono in Action in the Americas
The agenda kicked off with our annual meeting for pro bono work in Latin America. Representatives from the Pro Bono Network of the Americas, law firm pro bono coordinators and other leading professionals from the legal world joined the conversation on “Pro Bono in Action: Institutionalization and Implementation in the Americas.”
Attendees at the “Pro Bono in Action” event in Lima, Peru, March 18, 2025. Photo credit: Emilio Uceda Nepo / Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados
In an introductory address, Jorge Romo, Legal Head for ACC (Andean, Central America and Caribbean) at pharmaceutical multinational Novartis, emphasized the importance of pro bono for corporate actors. Drawing on his experience in the private sector, he outlined how companies can more effectively work with law firms to support their pro bono work.
Following Romo, a panel of legal experts representing five countries shared their distinctive insights and experience in a wide-ranging discussion of best practices and challenges to developing robust pro bono programs in law firms. The panel included:
- Patricia Silberman, Partner at Carey in Chile
- Flavia Regina de Souza Oliveira, Partner at Mattos Filho in Brazil
- Juan Francisco Méndez, Partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and a member of the Vance Center Committee, based in New York
- Lila Alejandra Gasca Enríquez, Director of Pro Bono and Responsible Business at Hogan Lovells Mexico
- Giovanna Patricia Garcia Saavedra, President of the Board of Directors of Alianza Pro Bono Perú and Partner at Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados – Moderator
Panelists at the “Pro Bono in Action” event in Lima, Peru, March 18, 2025. L-R: Lila Alejandra Gasca Enríquez, Patricia Silberman, Giovanna Garcia, Flavia Regina de Souza Oliveira, and Juan Francisco Méndez. Photo credit: Emilio Uceda Nepo / Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados
The panelists illustrated how approaches to pro bono work vary between countries and from one firm to another, depending on local regulations, capacity, and priorities. For example, de Souza Oliveira of Mattos Filho noted that the firm allocates a fixed percentage of its earnings to pro bono.
Following the panel discussion, Peruvian clearinghouse and co-host Alianza Pro Bono Perú shared a presentation on key strategies to strengthen pro bono programs in law firms.
Latin Lawyer News Editor Emily Darby joined the Vance Center’s Karina Benzaquen to guide attendees through highlights from the most recent survey of pro bono in Latin America and recognize the 2024 Leading Lights firms from Peru.
The annual survey, a joint project of the Vance Center and Latin Lawyer, identifies trends and opportunities to expand pro bono work among law firms across Latin America. It also publishes the annual list of Leading Lights, a select group of firms from each country that merit special recognition for their commitment to pro bono.
The event was organized in collaboration with Alianza Pro Bono Perú, the Pro Bono Network of the Americas, and Peruvian law firm Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados, which hosted the panel.
Organizers, presenters, and attendees at the “Pro Bono in Action” event in Lima, Peru, March 18, 2025. Photo credit: Emilio Uceda Nepo / Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados
Women in the Profession Breakfast
The next day, dozens of lawyers gathered bright and early for a breakfast event hosted by the Peruvian chapter of the Women in the Profession (WIP) program, WIP Perú. The event, held at the Lima offices of CMS Grau, included a lively discussion panel and time for the standing-room-only crowd to network.
Vance Center Senior Manager of International Diversity and Pro Bono Programs Karina Benzaquen, who coordinates WIP network programming for the Vance Center, welcomed attendees to the discussion. Diana Briones, partner at Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados and a member of WIP Perú’s steering committee, then introduced the panel participants.
Panelists Carolina Zang and Anabeli González, moderator Andrea Morelli Ferreyros, and WIP Peru member Diana Briones at the WIP Breakfast in Lima, Peru, on March 19. 2025. Photo credit: Adrián Marcos García
Moderator Andrea Morelli Ferreyros, Associate at Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados, guided a conversation focused on the relationship between legal technology, innovation, and gender equity in the legal profession. The speakers – Anabeli González, Deputy Manager of Legal Services at BBVA Perú, and Carolina Zang, Partner at ZBV Abogados in Argentina – shared their perspectives as corporate and firm lawyers.
They emphasized how advances in legal technology and other innovative tools can open new ways to empower women lawyers, foster inclusion and equality throughout the legal profession, and strengthen a collective commitment to justice.
WIP Perú President Licy Benzaquen closed the discussion with a call for participants to continue supporting the goals of the WIP program and opened the floor for attendees to enjoy a networking hour.
Speakers and presenters (L-R: Carolina Zang, Anabeli González, Diana Briones, Andrea Morelli Ferreyros, Licy Benzaquen, Karina Benzaquen) at the WIP Breakfast in Lima, Peru, on March 19. 2025. Photo credit: Adrián Marcos García
Attendees at the WIP Breakfast in Lima, Peru, on March 19. 2025. Photo credit: Adrián Marcos García
Lima Sunsets: LGBTIQANB+ Rights in Latam and North America
We wrapped up the busy week with a scenic rooftop gathering, “Breaking Barriers: Innovation and Justice through Diversity in Latin America.”
On March 20, advocates and legal practitioners assembled at the Hilton rooftop in San Isidro for a frank conversation on the state of LGBTQ+ rights in the Americas and how the legal community can play a role in addressing challenges and advancing these rights. The Vance Center organized the event in collaboration with the Pro Bono Network of the Americas and law firms MBPartners Abogados and Benites, Vargas & Ugaz Abogados.
Panelists at the “Lima Sunsets” event, March 20, 2025, Lima, Peru. L-R: Ignacio Martin Meggiolaro, Liliana Calderon, Hunter Carter, Maria Pía Uribe Almeida, and Jorge Bárcenas Chocano. Photo credit: Sebastián Otiniano Mita / BVU Abogados
Attendees representing more than 60 firms and organizations exchanged views on progress, challenges, and possible paths forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the legal context, while enjoying an environment that combined dialogue, networking, and a scenic view of Lima at sunset.
The Vance Center’s Karina Benzaquen welcomed attendees and introduced the panel: Liliana Calderón, Partner at Benites, Vargas & Ugaz; Jorge Bárcenas Chocano, Senior Associate Attorney & Head of Marketing at Benites, Vargas & Ugaz; Ignacio Martin Meggiolaro, Partner at MBPartners; Hunter T. Carter, Partner at ArentFox Schiff and member of the Vance Center Committee; and Maria Pía Uribe Almeida, a lawyer with Alianza Pro Bono Perú and alumna of the Vance Center’s Access to Justice Practicum.
The panelists offered their insights from collective decades of working on behalf of LGBTQ+ rights in Latin America, from advocating for marriage equality to ensuring greater protections for transgender individuals. Audience members, including four transgender women and a trans lawyer, contributed their perspective to the discussion. They outlined some of the significant challenge they face on a daily basis, the urgent need to safeguard their rights, and how pro bono efforts can help trans individuals and other LGBTQ+ community members better understand and stand up for their rights.
In closing comments, Ignacio Obando, Co-Coordinator of the Pro Bono Network of the Americas, emphasized the importance of collaborating across borders to leverage this expertise and legal resources to protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ communities in the region.
Panelists and speakers at the “Lima Sunsets” event, March 20, 2025, Lima, Peru. L-R: Ignacio Meggiolaro, Liliana Calderon, Hunter Carter, Maria Pía Uribe Almeida, Jorge Bárcenas Chocano, Karina Benzaquen, Igancio Obando. Photo credit: Sebastián Otiniano Mita / BVU Abogados
BVU partners Roberto Pereira Chumbe, César Benites Mendoza, and José Ugaz,at the March 20 event, Lima, Peru. Photo credit: Sebastián Otiniano Mita / BVU Abogados
Panelists and attendees at the “Lima Sunsets” event, March 20, 2025, Lima, Peru. Photo credit: Sebastián Otiniano Mita / BVU Abogados