Press Release - Law Firm and Corporate Counsel Partner to Build Capacity for Zambia’s New Generation of Legal Professionals

May 8, 2014-- DLA Piper, in partnership with pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, visited The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Law in April as part of a multi-year pro bono commitment.  Through New Perimeter, DLA Piper’s global pro bono initiative, an international team of ten lawyers from DLA Piper and Boehringer Ingelheim provided a week-long training on legal writing and analysis to approximately 90 law students at UNZA.

This is the second year of the training program, which was developed in close collaboration with the law school faculty. The DLA Piper and Boehringer Ingelheim team joined local lawyers from DLA Group Firm Chibesakuna & Co. Advocates and Stanbic Bank to deliver lectures and interactive workshops. The training module focuses on general principles of legal writing as well as instruction on how to research, formulate and support a strong legal argument. The emphasis was on “learning by doing,” including class participation and interactive exercises.  In addition, at the direct request of the female students, the women lawyers on the training team delivered a session focused on work-life balance for women in the legal profession.

“This program provides an invaluable opportunity for our law students – the chance to gain practical, real-world expertise from international lawyers who are at the top of their fields,” said Dean Frederick Mudenda.

"We were thrilled to return for a second year to teach legal drafting at UNZA School of Law,” said Sara Andrews, DLA Piper lawyer and New Perimeter assistant director who coordinated the trip. “We encountered a talented and enthusiastic student population. Our international team of lawyers was excited to engage with the students and to share real world experience and practical insights on legal writing and analysis.”

“We are delighted to become an integral part of this Legal Education New Perimeter project of DLA Piper which has put passion and enthusiasm into the preparation,” said Andreas Neumann, corporate senior vice president & group counsel of Boehringer Ingelheim. ”And on the other hand we are happy to see the four participating lawyers from our company who diligently prepared for this opportunity and looked forward to sharing their practical experience with the law students.”

UNZA is the premier law school in Zambia, but it is severely under-resourced. In addition to the training, the DLA Piper Foundation issued grants to UNZA to go toward the purchase of law books and technical equipment. Boehringer Ingelheim donated 22 laptop computers and also offered a fully paid internship opportunity for an UNZA student in Europe.

About DLA Piper (www.dlapiper.com)

DLA Piper is a global law firm with 4,200 lawyers located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, positioning it to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.

New Perimeter (www.newperimeter.org) is DLA Piper’s nonprofit organization established to provide pro bono legal assistance primarily in developing and post-conflict countries.  New Perimeter focuses its work on legal education, women’s and children’s rights, access to justice and law reform, environmental protection, economic development and food security.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations.

About Chibesakunda & Co. Advocates

CCO is a leading Zambian commercial law practice and a member of the DLA Piper Group, an alliance of legal practices.

About Stanbic Bank

Stanbic Bank is a division of Standard Bank, a member of the Standard Bank Group, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.

About New Perimeter

New Perimeter is a nonprofit organization established by global law firm DLA Piper to provide pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world to support access to justice, social and economic development and sound legal institutions. Founded in 2005 as a result of our firm’s commitment to support legal advancement worldwide, New Perimeter’s vision is to harness the skills and talents DLA Piper lawyers to further a more just world for all.

Contacts

Geneva Youel, Media Relations, DLA Piper, T. 213.330.7779