Senior Staff Attorney Sam Bookman spoke at two events during the first week of the the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP. On November 13, Bookman spoke on a panel, “Bar Associations and Lawyers Ensuring that Climate Duties are Fulfilled.” He joined representatives from the bar associations of Rio de Janeiro, Lima, and the Federal Bar Association of Brazil, as well as the American Bar Association and International Bar Association to discuss bar associations’ role in combating the climate emergency. Bookman emphasized how bar associations can effectively promote pro bono work, highlighting the Vance Center’s unique model and origins... read more
Post tagged in "Brazil"
Vance Center-Latin Lawyer Pro Bono Survey Analyzes Regional Progress, Celebrates Leading Law Firms in Latin America
Posted on November 24, 2025Every year, the Vance Center partners with Latin Lawyer to conduct a survey measuring the progress of pro bono development across the region’s legal markets. The resulting articles and analysis offer a look at the state of pro bono practice across Latin America, and an opportunity to share best practices and celebrate the achievements of the practitioners leading the way. The 2025 survey highlights effective approaches to institutionalizing and investing in pro bono practice within firms, and analyzes results from the six largest jurisdictions and Central America. It includes features on successful pro bono projects across the region, the creation of... read more
City Bar Statement of Concern over Actions Undermining Judicial Independence in Brazil
Posted on October 24, 2025In a new statement, the New York City Bar Association expressed grave concern over recent actions taken by the United States Government that undermine the independence of Brazil’s judiciary. These actions include visa restrictions, financial sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, an increase in national tariffs against Brazil, and social media threats on Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and other judicial officials, in response to rulings related to the criminal prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The City Bar calls for the immediate reversal of these measures, which amount to political retaliation for lawful judicial decisions. More broadly,... read more
Declaração da Ordem dos Advogados da Cidade de Nova York sobre atos que prejudicam a independência judicial no Brasil
Posted on October 24, 2025Em uma nova declaração, a Ordem dos Advogados da Cidade de Nova York expressou grande preocupação com as recentes medidas tomadas pelo governo dos Estados Unidos que prejudicam a independência do judiciário brasileiro. Essas medidas incluem restrições de visto, sanções financeiras sob a Lei Magnitsky Global, aumento das tarifas nacionais contra o Brasil e ameaças nas redes sociais ao ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal Alexandre de Moraes e outros funcionários judiciais, em resposta a decisões relacionadas ao processo criminal contra o ex-presidente Jair Bolsonaro. A Ordem dos Advogados da Cidade de Nova York pede a reversão imediata dessas medidas, que... read more
Access to Justice Practicum Returns with Second Cohort from Brazil, Chile and Peru
Posted on September 22, 2023The three “practitioners” will work for one year at the Alianza Pro Bono Perú, Fundación Pro Bono Chile, and Women in Law Mentoring Brazil, respectively. Lawyers from the local pro bono clearinghouses, sponsors, and Vance Center staff and Committee Members participated in the selection process, choosing the three final practitioners from among 52 applicants. The Practicum provides a pathway to public interest law careers, affording hands-on experience and support, including a one-week intensive training program during the year. Launched in December 2020, the initiative has received financial support from multinational companies and leading law firms. General Electric, through its Equity, Diversity... read more
Observations from the Brazilian Amazon: Attending “O Chamado do Cacique Raoni”
Posted on August 25, 2023By Nathalya Desterro, Vance Center Environment Program Advisor The Call of Chief Raoni was the second event of its kind, described by organizers as a “great global gathering of Mother Earth guardian leaders.” More than a thousand attendees, including more than 800 people representing about a dozen different Indigenous communities, came to celebrate the nominal 91st birthday of Indigenous leader Chief Raoni Metuktire, acknowledge his decades of leadership on environmental issues and bring attention to the voices of Indigenous communities on the Amazon region, the climate, and more. Chief Raoni is an iconic Indigenous leader who has spent much of... read more