Archives 2004

Videoconference on the Informal Economy and Micro-enterprise in Chile Gives Rise to New Partnerships
July 21, 2004

In collaboration with Fundación Pro Bono, the Vance Center organized a video conference on providing legal assistance to micro-enterprise. The objective conference was to exchange information on U.S. experiences in providing pro bono legal assistance to micro entrepreneurs, and to assist Fundación Pro Bono in motivating Chilean firms and NGOs to cooperate and develop joint programs to provide pro bono legal services to Chilean micro-entrepreneurs.

Held on July 21, 2004, the video conference was attended by nine participants in New York, including representatives from two major law firms, the New York City Bar, and two legal aid organizations, as well as 19 participants in Santiago, including representatives from five law firms and five NGOs.

The discussion focused on the practical operation of programs providing pro bono legal assistance to micro-entrepreneturs within a U.S. firm, identification of public interest work focusing on systemic challenges to legal services delivery; and the role of bar associations to facilitate collaboration between the different actors in the legal profession involved in the pro bono chain.

The video conference resulted in new partnerships between Chilean law firms and micro-enterprise NGOs, including the law firm of Philippi, Yrarrázaval, Pulido & Brunner and Grandes Emprendedores and the law firm of Claro & Cía and Acción Emprendedora, and in a renewed commitment to promote legislative reforms that will make it easier for small businesses to join the formal economy.

The Fundación also unveiled a new cooperative alliance between Fundación and the Comisión Pro Bono del Colegio de Abogados de Chile. The partnership will involve the Chilean Bar Association in acting as a matchmaker between its member lawyers and the clients being served by community-based organizations.

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