Pictured from left to right: Lord Peter Goldsmith KC, David W Rivkin, Sternford Moyo

International law firm Debevoise & Plimpton has been recognised with an IBA Group Member Award for outstanding pro bono contributions to the work of the International Bar Association (IBA). Debevoise’s international disputes partner David W Rivkin and London Co-Managing Partner, Lord Peter Goldsmith KC, accepted the award on 31 October at an exclusive event during the 2022 International Bar Association Annual Conference taking place in Miami, Florida, United States.

Mr Rivkin, a Past President of the IBA, said: ‘We are honoured to be recognised by the IBA for our longstanding commitment to public service and to the profession. Equally, we are proud to have led many important IBA projects over the years. As the global voice of the legal profession, the IBA has a crucial role to play in raising awareness of legal issues across the world, supporting lawyers through education and training provision and fighting against injustice. Without such organisations, the legal profession, and the world in general, would be a much poorer place. So, I am incredibly proud of my Debevoise colleagues’ collaborative efforts with the IBA and look forward to working on future IBA projects.’

IBA President Sternford Moyo said: ‘It is simply the case that without the extraordinary pro bono assistance of Debevoise & Plimpton, some of the IBA’s most consequential projects would not have been possible. Most notably, Debevoise committed more than 2,000 pro bono hours to a high-level inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers, making it the largest pro bono contribution in the IBA’s history. The IBA is immensely grateful to the Debevoise team.’

Lord Goldsmith KC, Debevoise’s Chair of European and Asian Litigation, commented: ‘We also take the opportunity to salute our partner David W Rivkin, former IBA President, for his inspiration and leadership on these and similar projects.’

Mr Rivkin has led many projects that have been actively supported by Debevoise with immense pro bono assistance.  Included among the many varied IBA projects are human trafficking, sustainability and modern slavery, as well as the:

• IBA Judicial Integrity Initiative, which launched in 2015, during Mr Rivkin’s tenure as IBA President. The Initiative had the overall aim of improving the level of integrity in the judiciary. It was designed to contribute to the efforts of members of the judiciary to fight corruption and encourage independence and impartiality in judicial decision making by raising awareness of the causes and consequences of judicial corruption where it exists, promoting the highest standards of integrity among lawyers and judges, and considering how countries have worked effectively to eliminate judicial corruption. Mr Rivkin continues to support the Initiative.
• Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers, for which a team of Debevoise lawyers was assembled led by Natalie Reid and Nawi Ukabiala. During the course of the multi-year Inquiry, Ms Reid’s and Mr Ukabiala’s team at Debevoise committed over 2,000 pro bono hours. The four international judges overseeing the Inquiry – each a luminary in the field of international criminal justice – expressed deep appreciation for the calibre of team Debevoise’s work. A mini documentary about the Inquiry has been released.

ENDS