Justice in Action

The Justice in Action Pro Bono Sprint is a community day of action that brings together volunteers from different entities to work together on substantive pro bono projects. You will have the opportunity to work on projects under key areas that need advocacy:

• Children's rights are human rights
• Equity and opportunity for vulnerable populations
• Strengthening justice systems and communities

All work related to the Sprint is conducted during the Sprint. Volunteers are trained at the start of the session and then divided into small teams to work on specific assignments. The volunteers wrap their work after three hours, then come together to reflect on the substantive legal work.

Register below to join or email us if you'd like to be added to our distribution list.

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Projects

Where we are watching: AI and facial recognition in the justice systems of the world
APAC, EMEA and Americas

Artificial Intelligence is part of the advancement of justice in many ways but along with innovation comes challenges. This project will focus on the use of AI-driven facial recognition technologies by public authorities and how their input can be part of the criminal and civil justice systems. Our review aims to map, on a country-by-country basis, how facial recognition technology is regulated in law and implemented in practice, including its authorization, restrictions, safeguards, and use within judicial proceedings. We will use the EU AI Act as a comparative tool to examine key legal questions about how facial recognition is governed – if at all – and what direction it is going around the world.

For the benefit of the International Centre for Justice Alliance

Slavery or Walking Free? Human Trafficking Global Index
APAC, EMEA and Americas

Walk Free is an international human rights group dedicated to eradicating modern slavery in all its forms. It houses the Global Slavery Index – the world’s most comprehensive data set of modern slavery. In this project, volunteers will evaluate and document countries’ policy responses to modern slavery and analyze them for gaps. This Sprint’s work will contribute to publications of an index on human trafficking in late 2026.

For the benefit of Walk Free

Teen Moms on the Street: Right to my child, right to my mother
Americas only

Almost 1.5 million children experience homelessness over a year in the United States. That means that every day, approximately 150,000 children under the age of 18 are unsure where they will sleep. Among those are teens who are pregnant or have given birth to their own children and are navigating the challenges of living on the street for themselves and their child or children. Among so many risks in these circumstances is that the justice system, perhaps with the best of intent to protect the best interests of either or both mother and child, is the risk to the young mother that they could have their child removed or threatened to be removed by legal authorities. We will seek to understand the legal basis which entitles the State to remove a child from a teen mother and the mothers' rights and procedures to get their children back. We will focus on understanding the legal rights of children and young mothers in various challenging situations. We will be looking at each state in the US and some other select jurisdictions. Our work will benefit the National Network for Youth, an organizing committed to addressing the needs, rights and opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness across the US.

For the benefit of the National Network for Youth

2026 Sprints

We have been recognized as a 2023 Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO) Partner Awardee for work undertaken through its Justice In Action initiative, alongside a host of corporate clients, who share Baker McKenzie’s commitment to social justice.