DLA Piper has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Pro Bono Innovators by Bloomberg Law for its notable contributions to safeguarding voting rights and advancing legal education. The international law firm’s achievements include a significant redistricting victory for Navajo Nation voters in San Juan County, New Mexico, and the successful training of over 180 women lawyers in Nepal through its global pro bono initiative, New Perimeter.
In the closely-watched Navajo Nation case, DLA Piper challenged the county’s 2021 redistricting map in the US District Court for the District of New Mexico. The firm argued that the map diluted the voting power of Navajo citizens by packing them into one district, while spreading their voting age population thin in others. This tactic, the firm contended, violated the federal Voting Rights Act by not giving Navajo voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. Collaborating with local and national organizations, such as the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the UCLA Voting Rights Project, the firm reached a settlement that redefined the district map to more equitably balance the representation of the Navajo population. The amended map will be active through the 2030 Census, marking a progressive step towards protecting Indigenous voting rights in the state.
Beyond U.S. borders, DLA Piper’s commitment to gender diversity in the legal profession in Nepal is notable. Through New Perimeter, the firm has established a training program focused on areas like negotiation, mediation, advocacy skills, and legal ethics, which is designed specifically for women lawyers. Since its inception in 2015, the program has become a pioneering platform for creating a support and professional network among Nepali women lawyers, particularly in more remote regions outside of Kathmandu. The firm, involving partnership from local Nepali lawyers and international trainers from across DLA Piper’s global offices, continually adapts the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of its participants, thereby ensuring the program’s sustained impact.
The strategic collaborations and innovative approaches employed in these two crucial pro bono matters underscore the firm’s commitment to promoting equitable legal practices and empowering underrepresented communities globally. For further details, you may refer to the full article on Bloomberg Law.