Source: Latin Lawyer
Latin Lawyer is pleased to present our Leading Lights for 2023, the law firms making a noteworthy contribution to strengthening a culture of pro bono in Latin America.
Several factors played a role in drawing up this list. These include firms’ answers to the survey with regards to institutionalisation of the practice, work done and examples of their recent pro bono cases. We also asked for feedback from clearinghouses and the Vance Center and considered the development of firms’ pro bono practices if they participated in earlier surveys, as well as further research. The list includes behemoths of the regional legal community bringing significant resources to bear, and small firms from whom personal dedication can make a significant difference.
This is by no means an exhaustive list (for a start, it only mentions firms that participated in our survey), but we hope it will give readers an idea of the efforts that firms across Latin America are taking to provide free legal services to those in need.
Of course, it should be noted that simply participating in this survey demonstrates awareness among all participants of the need for pro bono, and each one had interesting developments to report. We hope that all respondents will continue to advance their pro bono practices and come back to us to report their efforts in the years to come.
Methodology
Latin Lawyer and the Vance Center draw heavily on responses to the pro bono survey when compiling the list of Leading Lights, so only law firms that participated in the most recent survey are eligible. Firms are compared against others in their jurisdiction. In countries with functioning clearing houses at the time research was conducted (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela), firms are awarded up to 30 points based on their responses to the survey across the following categories: law firm’s pro bono infrastructure (23%), recognition of lawyers’ pro bono work (14%), pro bono work done (43%) and support of clearinghouses (20%). Clearinghouses are also given the opportunity to provide information on the firms they see supporting their organisation and doing a high level of pro bono work. In countries where there was no clearinghouse at the time of research (Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama) points are awarded between the first three categories (law firm’s pro bono infrastructure, recognition of lawyers’ pro bono work and pro bono work done). Those with the most points have a strong chance of being a Leading Light, depending on further considerations and taking into account comparisons within their jurisdiction.
The following firms are our Leading Lights for 2023.
Argentina
Beccar Varela
Martinez de Hoz & Rueda
Marval O’Farrell Mairal
MBP Partners
Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen (PAGBAM)
Bolivia
Ferrere (Bolivia)
Indacochea & Asociados
PPO Abogados
Brazil
Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados
Demarest Advogados
Machado Meyer Advogados
Mattos Filho
Pinheiro Neto Advogados
SiqueiraCastro
Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown
TozziniFreire Advogados
Central America
Arias (regional)
BLP (regional)
Consortium Legal (regional)
Mayora & Mayora (regional)
Chile
Albagli Zaliasnik
Barros & Errázuriz Abogados
Carey
Cariola, Díez, Pérez-Cotapos
Claro & Cía
CMS Carey & Allende
FerradaNehme
Prieto
Colombia
Brigard Urrutia
Chahín Vargas y Asociados
Contexto Legal Abogados
GodoyHoyos_Goh
Gómez-Pinzón
Pinilla, González & Prieto
Prias Cadavid Abogados
Serrano Martínez CMA
Dominican Republic
Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández
Ecuador
Pérez Bustamante & Ponce (PBP)
Guatemala
Alta QIL+4 Abogados
Clarity Law
Mollerlaw
Mexico
Baker McKenzie (Mexico)
Basham, Ringe y Correa
BGBG – Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, SC
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía SC
Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez SC
Galicia Abogados
González Calvillo, SC
Hogan Lovells (Mexico)
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes SC
Ritch Mueller y Nicolau, SC
Santamarina y Steta
Von Wobeser y Sierra SC
White & Case (Mexico)
Panama
Morgan & Morgan
Paraguay
Vinclum Abogados & Consultores
Peru
Benites, Vargas & Ugaz Abogados
GSA Legal
Monroy & Shima Abogados
Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados
Uruguay
Ferrere (Uruguay)
Guyer & Regules
Hughes & Hughes
Posadas