White & Case Sponsors 2nd Annual European Pro Bono Forum

Budapest, November 4, 2008 ... Global law firm White & Case LLP is sponsoring the Public Interest Law Institute’s (PILI) second annual European Pro Bono Forum on November 5-7 in Budapest, Hungary.  The international conference is aimed at increasing pro bono practice throughout Europe.

"The greatest role a global law firm can play is to help build the rule of law around the world," said White & Case Chairman Hugh Verrier, who has been named to PILI’s Pro Bono Advisory Council.  "White & Case is pleased to partner with PILI to promote pro bono practice and make a difference in the global community."

White & Case has been actively involved in a number of projects around the world with PILI.  Most recently, the Firm worked with the group to help create a clearinghouse to match law firms in Russia with pro bono clients.  It also worked with PILI to create a pro bono clearinghouse in Hungary.  Other activities include advising PILI on intellectual property issues in China, as well as tax law in Russia.

"White & Case has been instrumental in helping us promote the development of pro bono practice across Europe, participating actively in various legal clearinghouses we are collaboratively developing," said PILI’s executive director Ed Rekosh. "We are pleased to be ongoing partners with them and look forward to their involvement in our forum."

This is the second year White & Case has sponsored and helped organize PILI’s European Pro Bono Forum.  During the inaugural conference last year, more than 130 lawyers, NGO leaders and academics from 21 countries met for two days to discuss how to increase pro bono programs across Europe.

About Public Interest Law Institute
The Public Interest Law Institute (PILI) (www.pili.org) is an international organization that advances human rights around the world by stimulating public interest advocacy and developing the institutions necessary to sustain it.  PILI conducts its work from hubs in Belgrade, Budapest, Beijing, Moscow, and New York. 

About White & Case
White & Case LLP is a leading global law firm with more than 2,400 lawyers in 37 offices in 25 countries.  Our clients value the breadth and depth of our US, English and local law capabilities and rely on us for their complex cross-border commercial and financial transactions and for international arbitration and litigation.  Whether in established or emerging markets, the hallmark of White & Case is our complete dedication to the business priorities and legal needs of our clients.

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