DLA Piper is pleased to announce that its global pro bono affiliate, New Perimeter, will be honored by the District of Columbia Bar (D.C. Bar) International Law Section with this year’s Public Service Award. The award will be presented at the section’s annual awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2011.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this special recognition of New Perimeter’s ongoing commitment to international pro bono service from the D.C. Bar’s International Law Section,” said Sheldon Krantz, director of New Perimeter and a partner with DLA Piper, who will accept the award on the firm’s behalf. “We are extremely proud of New Perimeter’s accomplishments thus far and look forward to continuing to expand the scope and geographic reach of our pro bono service.”

New Perimeter was singled out for its innovative approach to involving DLA Piper attorneys worldwide in global pro bono initiatives. New Perimeter projects address problems of global concern in developing and post-conflict countries, including in a number of African countries, the Balkans and Latin America. DLA Piper attorneys provide legal assistance on a diverse series of projects in such areas as rule of law, human rights, economic development, hunger relief and supporting legal education.

The D.C. Bar International Law Section’s annual program recognizes public service in international law and this year’s luncheon will highlight contributions in the areas of international trade and investment. The Honorable Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, will deliver the keynote address on US and Canadian trade relations.

This award follows on the heels of DLA Piper’s selection by the Pro Bono Institute to receive the prestigious John H. Pickering Award for outstanding commitment to pro bono service in November 2010, which also recognized the efforts of New Perimeter.

Launched in 2005, New Perimeter is DLA Piper’s non-profit affiliate dedicated exclusively to international pro bono work. DLA Piper attorneys are selected for New Perimeter projects on a competitive basis and work on cohesive and multi-disciplinary project teams during a multi-year commitment that typically includes spending time in-country as a key element of their assignments.

Since New Perimeter’s inception, DLA Piper lawyers have donated more than 50,000 attorney hours to New Perimeter projects.

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