In conversation with Justice Henry duPont Ridgely

What was the most fulfilling aspect of the work?

Before joining DLA Piper in 2015, I served as a trial judge for 20 years and as an appellate judge for more than 10 years in Delaware. In Nairobi, our audience for our New Perimeter project on Complex Commercial Litigation included trial and appellate judges from four East African countries. During the course of our seminar I could tell that the judges were very interested in the information and experiences we shared. In particular, I saw their interest in the step by step analysis of an actual Delaware case heard by the Delaware Court of Chancery and by me and my colleagues when I was a Justice on the Delaware Supreme Court. When the judges gave us feedback at the end of the seminar, they told us that what they learned would definitely help them in their daily work. As one judge put it in her evaluation, “I’m grateful for this opportunity, which has broadened my knowledge!”  In going to Africa we believed we could make a difference in the administration of justice in East Africa. It was very fulfilling to know that we did.

One word to describe your New Perimeter trip?

Justice.

Daniel Webster once said, “Justice, sir, is the greatest pursuit of man on earth. It is the ligament which holds civilized beings and civilized nations together.” In our seminar room in Nairobi, Kenya there were DLA Piper lawyers and staff who had traveled there from three countries and there were East Africa judges from four countries. Additional DLA Piper lawyers (one from Norway and two from the United States) and staff from the United States who were not there with us provided us help in preparing for the seminar. Despite our different backgrounds from many countries, we were united in one common  purpose —to improve the administration of justice in East Africa.  We were held together by that ligament. That is the type of purpose, bond and inspiration that will make a better world. I am proud to have been a part of this effort and I am proud that DLA Piper is committed to pro bono that supports access to justice and the rule of law around the world.

"Despite our different backgrounds from many countries, we were united in one common purpose —to improve the administration of justice in East Africa."