DLA Piper, Pfizer Inc. train Zambian law students in legal writing and analysis

New Perimeter, DLA Piper's nonprofit affiliate that provides long-term pro bono legal assistance in under-served regions around the world, recently collaborated with Pfizer to deliver a weeklong training to approximately 70 graduate students at the University of Zambia School of Law (UNZA).

From July 20-24, DLA Piper lawyers and Pfizer in-house counsel from the United States, Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom delivered a five-day remote seminar to students in a new UNZA LL.M. program focused on practical lawyering skills. The training involved a combination of recorded online lectures, offline written exercises and interactive Zoom sessions, covering legal drafting, analysis and communication skills.

Since 2013, New Perimeter has trained more than 600 undergraduate law students at UNZA. This is the first year that New Perimeter has provided assistance to graduate students at the school, including government lawyers, criminal lawyers, commercial lawyers and magistrates.

“The program was outstanding, and the trainees were highly impressed with the caliber of instructors, the quality of the training materials, and the meticulous organization of all aspects of the training week,” shared Dr. Tinenenji Banda, Lecturer of Law at UNZA. “All in all, the program was an incredible success, and once again, UNZA School of Law is delighted with the results of its partnership with DLA Piper and looks forward to continued engagement with the firm.”

After completing the training, LLM student Clive Noombo reflected, “I liked the training, especially the unit on persuasive writing, because it spoke to me as a lawyer. The skills acquired have certainly given me a new dimension of legal understanding.”

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Pfizer to work with another dedicated and talented group of UNZA students,” said DLA Piper Pro Bono Counsel Crystal Doyle. “It was a pleasure to work with this highly engaged and motivated group of graduate students, and we greatly enjoyed exchanging ideas with them.”

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience to make connections with students halfway around the world, notwithstanding the global pandemic,” said Pfizer senior corporate counsel Dan Healey. “We are grateful to UNZA and DLA Piper for the opportunity to participate in this unique and important program.” Pfizer senior legal manager Fernanda Silveira Martins Rebelli also shared, “It was great to partner with DLA Piper. I really enjoyed being part of this program again in a new format – it was a privilege! As in 2018, I learned so much in many different respects. In the middle of quarantine, this was a refreshing week full of joy.”

The DLA Piper team that contributed to the virtual trainings included partners Jayne Anderson Risk (Philadelphia), Ardith Bronson (Miami), George Gigounas (San Francisco), Mike Moore (Dallas), Benjamin Schuman and Ian Taylor (both of Baltimore); of counsel Leeanne Mancari (Los Angeles) and Jennifer Squillario (Baltimore); counsel Tina Mihoc (Calgary); consultant Sian Croxon (London); and associate Mason Hubbard (Washington, DC). Pro bono counsel Crystal Doyle (Chicago) managed the project. The Pfizer team included senior corporate counsel Allison Stein (Chicago); senior corporate counsel Daniel Healey (New York); and senior legal manager Fernanda Silveira Martins Rebelli (São Paulo).