Prepared by Latham & Watkins, Pro Bono Institute, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and leading local law firms, this edition offers high-level guidance on the evolving pro bono landscape across over 100 jurisdictions.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kaitlin Bell, Pro Bono Institute, kbell@probonoinst.org
Jessica Allen, Latham & Watkins, jessica.allen@lw.com
Dara Cormican, Thomson Reuters Foundation, dara.cormican@thomsonreuters.com
New York / London / Washington, D.C. — Latham & Watkins (Latham), Pro Bono Institute (PBI), and the Thomson Reuters Foundation have released the 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide, the most comprehensive edition to date. Covering more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide, up from 84 in the 2019 edition, the Guide delivers practical, jurisdiction-specific insight to help legal professionals navigate pro bono frameworks and strengthen access to justice globally.
The 2026 edition marks its sixth iteration. In addition to expanded global coverage, the 2026 edition offers:
- Dedicated guidance on in-house counsel engagement in pro bono, reflecting the growing role of corporate legal teams in the pro bono ecosystem;
- Examples of how innovative technology and artificial intelligence are being used by pro bono providers;
- Awards, lists, and rankings related to pro bono work; and
- Practical descriptions of regulatory and insurance requirements, local and regional pro bono initiatives, and areas of unmet legal need.
“Through its summaries of key elements of pro bono frameworks worldwide, the Guide aims to make it easier for lawyers to devote their time and talents to those in need. We are grateful to the numerous Latham lawyers who contributed to this project as well as to our colleagues at over 80 law firms around the globe, PBI, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, for their tireless efforts to produce this useful resource,” said Laura Atkinson-Hope, Public Service Counsel and Director of Global Pro Bono, Latham & Watkins.
“By making reliable, jurisdiction-specific information easier to access, the Guide empowers the legal community to expand access to justice around the world,” said Eve Runyon, PBI President & CEO. “We are grateful to our partners at Latham & Watkins and the Thomson Reuters Foundation for their collaboration on the latest edition of this resource, which expands on in-house and technology engagement and supports meaningful, sustainable pro bono service.”
“We are thrilled to join Latham and PBI as partners in producing the most extensive edition of the Global Pro Bono Guide to date,” said Carolina Henriquez-Schmitz, Director of Access to Law, Thomson Reuters Foundation. “At a time when the need for accessible legal support is rising around the world, the Guide serves as an essential, trusted resource – supporting the growth of pro bono services and ensuring that impactful legal expertise reaches the communities that need it most.”
The 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide is designed for law firms, in-house legal departments, individual lawyers, NGOs, legal aid organizations, academics, and policymakers seeking to understand and strengthen pro bono practice worldwide.
The Global Pro Bono Guide, formerly known as the Global Pro Bono Survey, has been a trusted resource for legal professionals since 2005, when it was first published by Latham, a global law firm, and PBI, the leading nonprofit in advancing pro bono legal services. For the 2026 edition, Latham and PBI have partnered with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, which runs TrustLaw, the world’s largest pro bono legal network.
The Guide is available online at: probonoguide.trust.org
###
About Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm that brings together exceptional legal talent in financial centers around the world to advise on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm’s deep market and product knowledge, industry experience, vast scale, and commitment to innovation and excellence help clients navigate their most critical challenges and achieve their goals.
About Pro Bono Institute
Founded in 1996, Pro Bono Institute (PBI) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization. With an unparalleled depth of knowledge, resources and expertise, PBI is the respected resource for all things pro bono. Through our work with law firms, in-house corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations, PBI is the global thought leader in exploring, identifying, evaluating, catalyzing, and taking to scale new approaches to and resources for the provision of legal services to the poor, disadvantaged, and other individuals or groups unable to secure legal assistance to address critical problems.
About the Thomson Reuters Foundation
The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company.
TrustLaw, an initiative of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, is the world’s largest pro bono legal network. Working with leading law firms and corporate legal teams, TrustLaw facilitates free legal support, ground-breaking legal research and resources for non-profits, social enterprises and independent media in over 190 countries. By spreading the practice of pro bono worldwide, TrustLaw works to strengthen civil society and drive change.