Displacement is one of Europe's defining humanitarian and administrative challenges in the 21st century. As host to more than 13 million refugees and with more asylum seekers arriving daily, Europe's systems are under immense strain. For those from conflict zones, basic asylum and resettlement questions are often complicated by slow, complex and inconsistent legal systems — creating backlog and delaying permanent solutions for the millions looking to securely rebuild their lives.

To meet this demand, NGOs and law firms are pooling resources, allowing them to handle more cases during spikes in arrivals. White & Case has partnered with NGOs and other law firms on four cross-border initiatives to scale our collective impact, and ensure justice for migrants and asylum seekers in Europe.

A compelling model in Greece

In Greece, White & Case has partnered with European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) and seven other law firms to assist asylum seekers in Athens and on the island of Lesvos, Greece. Nearly 50,000 asylum seekers arrived in Greece in 2025, making the work to help them understand and uphold their rights increasingly urgent.

During two-week rotations, our lawyers provide intake services and conduct initial interviews, each helping asylum seekers prepare their cases and proceed through a complicated legal process. Throughout our seven-year involvement, 77 White & Case lawyers have provided legal assistance.

The work of volunteer lawyers in Greece is crucial. There is no state-provided legal assistance for this group, and ELIL data shows that 75 percent of asylum seekers supported through the program are granted international protection, compared to the national average of fewer than 50 percent.

"It's easy to feel helpless when faced with a humanitarian disaster of this scale, but being a lawyer puts you in a position to contribute and make a difference," says Hamburg partner Sylvia Fiebig.

Supporting refugee families in France

In France, we have joined more than ten other law firms as members of the REUNIR pro bono collaboration with Safe Passage International France. Now in its fourth year, this unique project was founded to support unaccompanied Afghan minors and assist with family reunification and resettlement in France following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Afghans are now in France.

The project has since evolved to support refugees of all nationalities in reuniting with their families, with a particular focus on supporting unaccompanied minors in reuniting with family members.

While France's legal system may provide favorable protection to these populations of asylum seekers and refugees, it is nonetheless a complicated system, particularly for those who lack resources and expertise.

Our lawyers provide comprehensive legal support, including assistance with visa documentation, liaising with authorities and embassies, and providing direct representation in administrative and judicial appeals.

Humanitarian admission and family reunification for Afghan refugees in Germany

Through the Deutsches Bündnis für Afghanische Flüchtlinge (Pro Bono Initiative for Afghans), a collaboration between the International Rescue Committee and four other law firms, White & Case lawyers have supported Afghan refugees navigating the German asylum process following the Taliban's return to power in 2021.

Across the project, volunteers have assisted on more than 67 cases, including 12 family reunifications and 45 German Federal Admission Program matters. Among these, White & Case achieved a notable success by securing safe passage to Germany for an Afghan human rights advocate fleeing Taliban persecution.

The focus of the collaboration has recently shifted to post-arrival legal support while still facilitating family reunification and assisting migrants in Germany in securing stable residence status or relocating to join loved ones or pursue employment opportunities.

Obtaining justice for the Windrush generation

While much of our collaborative pro bono work addresses the urgent needs of asylum seekers and refugees, migration challenges in Europe also impact longstanding residents who have experienced injustice due to a lack of due process. The 2018 Windrush scandal revealed that many long-term UK residents, mainly from the Caribbean and legally entitled to live and work in the country, were wrongly detained, denied services and, in some cases, deported. As a result, many lost their jobs, homes and access to benefits.

To address these injustices, the UK government established the Windrush Compensation Scheme. White & Case, along with eight other law firms, partners with the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, to help affected individuals navigate this complex process. This work requires assembling decades-old records and documenting impacts on employment, housing and well-being. Now in its fifth year, the collaboration has collectively secured more than £1.54 million for those affected.

"The Windrush scandal was a profound injustice that upended lives and stripped people of their sense of belonging," says London associate Poorvi Satija. "Providing legal support means helping them reclaim what should have never been taken."

An impactful framework

As the challenges of global displacement and complex legal systems for migrants continue, coordinated efforts among law firms help increase the number of migrants who have access to effective advice and representation.

"Justice for those seeking refuge is not a solo endeavor," says New York partner and Pro Bono Practice Leader Jack Pace. "It takes the collective courage, creativity and commitment of many law firms, each contributing unique strengths, to turn compassion into meaningful action."

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A child rides a bicycle along a dirt road in front of a refugee camp.