HL BaSE pro-bono legal expertise and support to the social economy

Hogan Lovells is a global megafirm with more than 45 offices in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The firm boasts more than 2,800 lawyers, making it one of the largest firms around. It was the first law firm to establish a freestanding Pro Bono department HL BaSE is Hogan Lovells’ international impact economy practice. For 10 years the HL BaSE practice has been working with the leading innovators and disrupters in the social economy space, supporting 500 purpose-led businesses.

Culture and perspective are key to being able to support the social economy ecosystem. This is why HL BaSE Training is a cornerstone of HL BaSE, attended by its trainees and junior lawyers. As a mini-MBA style training programme, it delivers a sound understanding of business, finance and the importance of social impact to the way our clients do business. Delivered in partnership with Ashoka, delegates learn business fundamentals and hear from inspirational business leaders, embedding the ideals of entrepreneurship and social impact into the way they think about business.

HL BaSE Catalyst is a programme of pro bono support for social enterprises provided by lawyers from Hogan Lovells alongside inhouse counsel from clients. The programme is envisaged as a mutual learning experience for partners and clients alike. Indeed The social entrepreneurs who attend these workshop are inspiring individuals working to solve issues such as poverty and gender inequality in new and inventive ways. When lawyers work with these clients to support their organisations partners can scale their own impact and strengthen the client relationships on a shared value basis.

Moreover, HL BaSE Legal offers low bono or pro bono support to social enterprises, and is run on a not-for-profit basis. HL BaSE Legal works to address any legal issues that are a barrier to scale and sustainability, whether that is by supporting social enterprises to become investment ready, restructuring growing social enterprises or protecting the intellectual property rights of social enterprises.

Hogan Lovells is co-funding partners of The Human Safety Net. The partnership aims to unlock the potential of people living in vulnerable circumstances, including refugees. Since 2020, Hogan Lovells has acted as the official legal partner of THSN’s refugee startup initiative, supporting network organizations in Germany and Italy, such as SINGA or the Saarland Start-up Office for Migrants.

HL BaSE website: https://www.hoganlovellsbase.com/