Pro Bono
Protecting Fundamental Human Rights and Realizing Social Justice
We at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu actively engage in pro bono and other public service activities to fulfill an extremely important social responsibility as lawyers to protect fundamental human rights and realize social justice.
With social change and development, the expected social responsibilities of lawyers are also changing and expanding. To facilitate the timely implementation of a broader range of activities, in addition to conventional public service activities, in response to such societal needs, we have established the Pro Bono Committee and actively promote pro bono activities by our lawyers and staff members.
Moreover, we believe that law firms, similar to corporations, are in a position to address SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as members of society. Through our pro bono and other public service activities, we, therefore, are committed to contributing to the improvement of access to justice and the realization of an inclusive society, in which diversity is accepted and every individual is respected.
Pro Bono
Our lawyers are actively engaged in pro bono activities, in which they support organizations and individuals who carry out socially beneficial activities, by leveraging the knowledge and know-how they have cultivated through their daily practice as lawyers. Our firm has established a system to certify and support a variety of pro bono activities by each lawyer, enabling our lawyers to easily participate in pro bono activities.
Examples
- Provided legal support to asylum seekers
- Provided editorial support for a children's book about laws
- Provided contract-related support in relation to climate change projects
- Participated in a review project regarding the Japanese government's response to COVID-19
- Participated in the "Marriage For All" Lawsuit
Human Rights Advocacy
Our lawyers are actively involved in various human rights advocacy efforts, including advocating for children's rights (such as addressing bullying issues) and supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Public Service Activities in Bar Associations
Many of our lawyers serve as court-appointed defense counsel in designated court cases, or are assigned by the bar association to counsel suspects prior to their being formally charged. Furthermore, we assist in providing legal consultation services and participate in other committee activities provided by the bar association or other similar organizations.
Public Service Activities in Ministries and Governmental Organizations
Many of our lawyers have been dispatched to Japan's ministries and governmental organizations to support their legislative and administrative activities. Our lawyers also serve as members of various councils and committees of governmental organizations.
Public Service Activities in Educational Institutions
Many of our lawyers actively engage in training the younger generation of legal professionals by lecturing as adjunct law school professors at Japanese universities, law schools or other similar institutions. Our firm also takes on legal trainees and interns from Japan and overseas.
International Public Service Activities
Our firm actively participates in the activities of international legal networks such as the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
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NO&T shortlisted for Specialised Awards: Pro bono at the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2024
(February 2024) -
NO&T shortlisted for Asian Pro Bono Initiative of the Year at the Asia Legal Awards 2024
(January 2024) -
Refugee status granted to individual assisted by NO&T
(January 2024) -
NO&T Sponsors Fundraising Events to Support Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness hosted by TELL, to which NO&T has been providing ongoing pro bono legal services
(September 2023) -
NO&T shortlisted for Pro Bono National Firm at the Women in Business Law Awards Asia-Pacific 2023
(July 2023) -
NO&T Involved in Preparing Opinion regarding Partnership Oath System Proposed by Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Updated)
(October 2022) -
NO&T Provides Ongoing Pro Bono Legal Services to TELL, Sponsors its Fundraising Events to Support Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
(September 2022) -
NO&T shortlisted for Pro Bono National Firm at the Women in Business Law Awards Asia-Pacific 2022
(July 2022) -
NO&T is supporting “Japan-Ukraine Education Pathways,” programs supported by Pathways Japan PJ, a general incorporated association, that enable displaced Ukrainians to travel to Japan to continue their education.
(June 2022) -
NO&T sponsored the “Charity Run & Walk – DAN DAN RUN 2022”
(May 2022) -
NO&T provides ongoing legal services to the Japanese branch of Médecins du Monde Japan.
(December 2021) -
NO&T is Proud to Announce its Endorsement of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s (ACCJ) Viewpoint on Marriage Equality
(November 2021) -
NO&T Providing Support in “Marriage For All Japan” Lawsuit
(March 2021) -
NO&T shortlisted for Pro Bono Team of the Year at the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2021
(March 2021)