New Perimeter and GE deliver virtual training course for Zambian graduate law students
An international team of lawyers from DLA Piper and General Electric (GE) conducted a virtual training on negotiation and legal writing skills and techniques from June 7-11 for around 400 Zambian graduate law students.
The course was developed by New Perimeter, DLA Piper's nonprofit affiliate that provides long-term pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world. Since 2016, New Perimeter has collaborated with GE and DLA Piper Africa Group firm Chibesakunda & Co. Advocates to help build capacity at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE), the Zambian practical and continuing legal education institute in Lusaka. Previous trainings have been delivered in-person in Lusaka, Zambia; this is the first year the course has been delivered virtually.
“The virtual negotiation and legal drafting training offered a unique opportunity to students to understand and perfect their skills in this area,” said Ann Malata-Ononuju, Director and Chief Executive Officer of ZIALE. “The collaboration between ZIALE and New Perimeter continues to grow through the many successes of this program, and the Institute continues to significantly benefit from this partnership.”
The week-long online course focused on legal drafting and negotiation skills using a combination of pre-recorded lectures and interactive online sessions. The topics examined included effective writing, focusing on a range of commercial documents, including sale and purchase agreements, joint venture agreements and dispute resolution clauses. The students engaged in group work in small teams, participating in interactive, practical group exercises.
“GE is proud to continue our longstanding collaboration on this important initiative,” said Kate O’Leary, GE Global Executive Litigation Counsel. “Although we missed interacting with the students in person in Zambia, we were grateful to be able to connect virtually. The conversations were engaging and invigorating, and we are humbled to play a role in encouraging and assisting the next generation of lawyers in Zambia.”
“I am very grateful to the Director of ZIALE, our respective teams, and my fellow trainers from DLA Piper and GE for our collective efforts in overcoming the challenges of the last 15 months and delivering a successful week of online training,” said DLA Piper partner Jon Hayes. “Together we have delivered on our commitment to advance the skills of these talented students and to help them with the next stage of their legal careers. Their energy and enthusiasm have made this a rewarding experience for all the trainers who have participated from over ten countries across Africa, Europe and the Americas. I very much hope that next year we can be back at ZIALE in person.”
DLA Piper lawyers who participated in the training include: Jon Hayes (London), Enrique Chamorro (Madrid), Alistair Drummond (Edinburgh), Timothy Lohse (Palo Alto), Ronald Mutasa (Harare), Samuel Salako (Lagos), Victoria Rhodes (Leeds), Tomasita Sherer (New York), Parwana Zahib-Majed (London), Ali Al-Zarrad (London), David Freeburg (Seattle), Lungelo Magubane (Johannesburg), Edel O’Kelly (Dublin), Pascal Mwanyika (Dar es Salaam), John Milliken (London), Mapange Nsapato (Lusaka), Elina Ostrovsky (New York), Gabor Papp (Budapest), Christina Pfaff-Benitez (Frankfurt), Paul Routledge (Leeds) and Rostislav Strigalev (St. Petersburg). Ramsey Beck (Nairobi) managed the project, and Mark Franklin (Birmingham) led on logistics.
GE participating lawyers included: Kate O’Leary (Boston), Chukwuka Eze (Lagos), Christine Jarmer (Houston), Evelyn McAdam (London) and Okezi Uwede-Meshack (Abijdan).
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
Josh Epstein, Media Relations, DLA Piper, T. 212.776.3838