About IPLSA

Aims

The organization aims to foster a sense of commitment among young lawyers to serve the community through the provision of pro bono legal services. IPLSA also seeks to promote the provision of pro bono legal services among legal practitioners, particularly young lawyers, through regional and global networks. In addition, the organization aims to promote the Rule of Law and legal knowledge to the public in different jurisdictions, and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among legal practitioners from different jurisdictions.

Mission

Providing pro bono legal services to the public in different jurisdictions

Promoting public awareness of the rule of law and legal knowledge in different jurisdictions

Facilitating exchanges and cooperation among legal practitioners from different jurisdictions

Encouraging young lawyers to participate in public interest legal services, fostering a global perspective and broad interpersonal networks

Promoting the wider application of legal services and enhancing legal awareness across various industries

Organization

Board of Directors

The governing body of the Association is the Board of Directors, composed of the founders and individuals invited by the Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing the overall development, policy, management, and the implementation of the Association’s pro bono legal service programs.

Members of the BOD are:

• Mr. Casey K.C. Ho, BH
• Mr. Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, BBS, JP
• Prof. Dr. David Lan Hong-tsung, GBS, ISO, JP
• Mr. Harrison Ho
• Ms. Betty Lo Miu-sheung
• Ms. Angela Wong Ka-Wai

Board members serve a term of two years and may be reappointed upon expiration. The Board holds monthly meetings to review and discuss the Association’s affairs. The Association is supported by 4 standing Committees that provide advice on policy and management matters.

Committees and membership

Under the Board of Directors, there are four standing Committees:

• Advisory Committee
  • Prof. Dr. David Lan Hong-tsung, GBS, ISO, JP – Former President of the International Institute Management Association
  • Professor Gu Minkang, JP – Dean of Credit Risk Management Institute of Xiangtan University
  • Dr. Louis Chen Xiaofeng – Executive President of Hong Kong KOL Project
  • Mr. Cao Fushun – Chairman of Fushun Group
  • Mr. Zhou Wengang – Member of the Legislative Council of HKSAR
• Consultants Committee
  • Professor Priscilla Leung, SBS, JP – Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR
  • Mr. Ambrose Lam, JP – President of Global Chinese Speaking Lawyers Association
  • Mr. Stephen Hung – Past President of The Law Society of Hong Kong
  • Mr. Chan Man-ki, Maggie, MH, JP – Deputy to the National People’s Congress (HKSAR)
  • Mr. Lawrence Ma Yan Kwok – Executive Council Chairman of Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation
  • Mr Nicholas CHAN Hiu-fung, BBS, MH, JP – Partner of Squire Patton Boggs
  • Dr. Thomas S.T. So, JP – Managing Partner of Grandall Zimmern Law Firm
• Practising Lawyers Committee
  • Mr. Stephen Yap Yan-wing – Principal of Yap & Lam, Solicitors
  • Ms. Angela Wong Ka-wai – Partner of K.C. Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Benson Xiao – Senior Partner, ETR Law Firm
  • Ms. Betty Lo Miu-sheung – Consultant of K.C. Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Benton Ho Jun-hang – Solicitor of K.C. Ho & Fong
  • Mr. Conrad Ho Jun-wang – Solicitor of K.C. Ho & Fong
• Paralegal Committee
  • Mr. Ho Kam-tim – K.C. Ho & Fong
  • Ms. Beatrice Li – K.C. Ho & Fong

The members of the aforementioned Committees are appointed by the Association upon invitation and approved by the Board of Directors. The Committee comprises renowned professionals, community and business leaders from various sectors. Members serve a two-year term, subject to continuous renewal upon request.

The Terms of Reference of these committees are set out below:

Advisory Committee

1. Provides advice on the Association's overall strategies and policy formulation;
2. Formulates and implements the operation and policies of the Association’s cross-jurisdiction “Probono Legal Service Program”;
3. Advises on how to seek the support and participation of the government, enterprises, and NGOs for the Program, and assists in promoting and publicizing the Association’s work;
4. Puts forward specific suggestions to encourage young lawyers to actively participate in probono legal services;
5. Offers opinions and advice on other matters beneficial to the Association’s long-term development.

Consultants Committee

1. As representatives from different professional fields, businesses, and volunteer groups, provides expert opinions for the Association’s public interest Programs;
2. Proposes suggestions on promoting tripartite cooperation in probono among the government, enterprises, and NGOs;
3. Advises on publicity and promotion strategies to increase the Association’s influence and effectiveness among target groups;
4. Provides constructive advice on any other matters beneficial to the Association’s long-term development.

Practising Lawyers Committee

1. Actively participates in the operation and ongoing development of the Association’s “Probono Legal Service Program”;
2. Regularly reviews and monitors the implementation of the Program to ensure high-quality public legal services are provided to target groups;
3. Makes constructive suggestions for Program improvement, including establishing effective mechanisms to ensure continuous enhancement of service quality;
4. Organizes and hosts training seminars, lectures, exchange activities, and other related events to improve the professional abilities of Association members, recruit new members, and promote experience sharing and cooperation among professionals engaged in probono legal services;
5. Handles all other matters related to the “Probono Legal Service Program”.

Paralegal Committee

1. Assists in handling case services under the “Probono Legal Service Program” and proposes specific suggestions for the Program’s optimization;
2. Works closely with the Practicing Lawyers Committee to jointly organize and supervise Program-related activities, ensuring high-quality public legal services are provided to target audiences;
3. Helps organize activities promoting the Association’s work and recruiting new members;
4. Handles other matters related to the provision of probono legal services as directed by the Board of Directors.

Finances

As a non-profit organization, corporate/individual donations and funds raised through fundraising activities will be the main sources of finance for the "Pro Bono Legal Services Program" initiated by the Association and related activities.

Members' Volunteer Obligations

In addition to enjoying the benefits provided by IPLSA, members are also expected to give back to society. IPLSA expects members to:

• 1. Complete 10 probono cases or at least 2 hours of volunteer work assigned by IPLSA;
• 2. Participate in at least 2 IPLSA-organized events annually.

Membership

• Voting Members
  • Voting Members are comprised of the founders, BOD, and committees of IPLSA.
  • Voting Memberships are only available to qualified persons invited by BOD, and/or appointed by two members from the Advisory Committee.
• Ordinary Members
  • Participation in IPLSA is free of charge. Membership can be renewed annually.
• All memberships are free and can be renewed on an annual basis.