Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice

Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice Advancing justice by engaging lawyers to support civil society and an ethically active profession. The Cyrus R.

Vance Center for International Justice mobilizes the global legal profession to engage in activities that promote social justice, human rights and democratic values and principles. We perform our work in partnership with private- and public-sector lawyers, members of the judiciary, law schools, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the regions where we work. Founded in 2003, the Vance Center is part of the New York City Bar Association. We have access to all the resources of the City Bar and its affiliate, the City Bar Justice Center, and members of the City Bar are involved in planning and carrying out all of our activities. The Vance Center's name honors the memory of Cyrus R. Vance, past president of the City Bar and former United States Secretary of State.

IMPACT 📈Looking through our Annual Report, it's clear last year brought profound challenges: for civil society, our clie...
09/16/2026

IMPACT 📈

Looking through our Annual Report, it's clear last year brought profound challenges: for civil society, our clients, and colleagues around the world.

The needs were greater, and the Vance Center's legal services were more in demand than ever.

We're proud of how we rose to meet those challenges, with the support of our global networks.

Our flexible structure made us uniquely well-equipped to take on new matters in different areas. New staff joined our team, adding expertise and capacity for us to pursue more ambitious projects.

Here's a look at our 2025 by the numbers 📊

See the full report ➡️https://www.vancecenter.org/publication/2025-annual-report/

Our 2025 Annual Report spotlights our resilience and the power of our networks.Here at the Vance Center, we're fortunate...
09/14/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report spotlights our resilience and the power of our networks.

Here at the Vance Center, we're fortunate to have strong international networks, built over decades of collaboration, that help guide and sustain our collective work on behalf of civil society.🌎

Those networks look like:
🌟Hundreds of pro bono lawyers at dozens of firms around the world who gave complex matters their time and attention.
🌟Clearinghouse coordinators who took on yet another project.
🌟Clients who helped spread the word about our services.
🌟And of course, the Vance Center Committee members, their law firms, the generous funders that sustain our work, and all our supporters.

Together, our resilience and reliability helped us weather the storms of 2025 and beyond.

Our commitment to our mission never wavered, and our pro bono legal services were in high demand. When our clients and contacts needed support, they knew they could turn to us.

In the face of major challenges for global civil society, we know our approach remains as essential as ever: engaging our networks to expand access to justice for all and affirm the role of an ethically active legal profession.

We're pleased to share some highlights from the last year at the Vance Center in our latest Annual Report.

🔗Read the full report: https://www.vancecenter.org/publication/2025-annual-report/

09/14/2026

🔎 Pro Bono Spotlight: Developing Whistleblower Protection Law Questionnaire for Global Coalition

⚖️ Our client: Global Civil Society Coalition for the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC Coalition), a global network of hundreds of civil society organizations committed to upholding the UNCAC.

What we did: Working with 15 co-counsel firms and 2 corporate legal departments, we developed a detailed questionnaire for the Coalition to assess the implementation and effectiveness of whistleblower protection laws around the world.

The questionnaire examined factors including:
▶️ Existing protection legislation
▶️ Rhetoric around the term “whistleblower”
▶️ Reporting laws
▶️ Gender differences
▶️ Policy assessment

🌍 More than 60 legal experts and civil society organizations across 63 jurisdictions completed the questionnaire.

✅ The impact: Our findings directly shaped the Coalition’s preliminary report and its upcoming final report. The responses revealed that less than half of the jurisdictions researched have comprehensive protective legislation for whistleblowers, and found significant barriers to reporting, including a lack of anonymous, multilingual, and 24/7 options.

The Coalition translated this data into concrete recommendations and reform proposals to uphold UNCAC Resolution 10/8, which highlights the importance of protecting reporting persons in anti-corruption efforts.

🤝 You can help us continue protecting civil society and combatting corruption by supporting this work. Visit: www.vancecenter.org/donate

The Evolving Landscape of Climate Litigation: U.S. and Global Perspectives🌍🌱This , we’re partnering with the Sabin Cent...
09/09/2026

The Evolving Landscape of Climate Litigation: U.S. and Global Perspectives

🌍🌱This , we’re partnering with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law to bring together leading voices in climate litigation for a conversation on where the field stands and where it’s headed.

This event includes two panels:
✅Our first panel will examine the U.S. landscape and how courts are confronting disputes, from state and municipal claims against fossil fuel companies to federal efforts to preempt state-level litigation and address deregulation under the current administration
✅Our second panel turns to global developments, exploring how courts around the world are applying international human rights and climate obligations, and what happens when litigation succeeds

You're welcome to join for just one panel or stay for both.

Stay tuned for info on our featured speakers!

🗓️ Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕓9:30am-12pm ET
📍 New York City Bar Association, 42 W. 44th St., New York or virtual via Zoom

🔗Register to attend in-person: bit.ly/45QzRLr
🔗Register to attend virtually: bit.ly/4gnkoJ2

The Vance Center contributed to a New York City Bar Association statement about proceedings to remove 56 judges in Chile...
09/03/2026

The Vance Center contributed to a New York City Bar Association statement about proceedings to remove 56 judges in Chile and the potential harm to due process guarantees and judicial independence.⚖️

In the statement, the City Bar expressed concern about the Chilean Supreme Court’s recent decision to reopen disciplinary investigations and initiate proceedings to remove dozens of judges from their positions, and how these proceedings could undermine due process guarantees and threaten judicial independence in Chile. 🇨🇱

International experts, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, have raised concerns about the possible removal of these judges, noting that the proceedings fail to ensure due process.

The City Bar urges Chilean authorities to ensure that judicial accountability mechanisms operate in accordance with the international standards that protect judicial independence, due process, legal certainty, and security of tenure.

The City Bar’s Inter-American Affairs Committee and Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges also signed on to the statement.✅

Read more➡️https://www.vancecenter.org/city-bar-statement-chile-removal-proceedings-56-judges-importance-of-judicial-independence/

09/03/2026

🔎 Pro Bono Spotlight: Multi-Jurisdictional Research on Healthcare Provision for Intersex People in the Americas

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Our client: Outright International, a nonprofit that works to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ+ human rights movement around the world

What we did: Working with pro bono lawyers across 19 jurisdictions, we researched and compiled
▶️ state and federal laws and policies,
▶️ clinical protocols, and
▶️ public guidelines
related to the provision of physical and mental healthcare to intersex people in 21 jurisdictions in the hemisphere, plus every U.S. state.

✅ The impact: Across the Americas, many intersex people experience legal erasure and face gaps in healthcare protection. Our research found that many jurisdictions either lack legal frameworks for intersex healthcare rights or allow medical interventions that can violate both individuals’ bodily autonomy and international human rights standards.

The final report, scheduled for publication in fall 2026, will inform Outright International's national and international advocacy efforts. By mapping these gaps, Outright International can identify priority areas for reform and hold governments accountable to their obligations under international human rights law.

👉 Interested in learning more about impactful pro bono work? Subscribe to the Pro Bono Quarterly at: https://connect.vancecenter.org/PBQ-signup

El Vance Center contribuyó a una declaración del New York City Bar Association que expresa preocupación por los reciente...
09/02/2026

El Vance Center contribuyó a una declaración del New York City Bar Association que expresa preocupación por los recientes procesos de remoción iniciados contra 56 jueces en Chile y por el daño que esta maniobra representa para las garantías del debido proceso y la independencia judicial.⚖️

En el comunicado, el Colegio de Abogados de la Ciudad de Nueva York expresó su preocupación por la reciente decisión de la Corte Suprema de Chile de reabrir procedimientos disciplinarias e iniciar procesos de remoción contra decenas de jueces, y por cómo estos procedimientos podrían socavar las garantías del debido proceso y amenazar la independencia judicial en Chile.🇨🇱

Expertos internacionales, entre ellos la Relatora Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre la independencia de los magistrados y abogados, han expresado su preocupación por la posible remoción de estos jueces, señalando que los procedimientos no garantizan el debido proceso.

El Colegio de Abogados de la Ciudad de Nueva York insta a las autoridades chilenas a garantizar que los mecanismos de rendición de cuentas judiciales operen conforme a los estándares internacionales que protegen la independencia judicial, el debido proceso, la seguridad jurídica y la inamovilidad en el cargo.

La Comité de Asuntos Interamericano y el Grupo de Trabajo sobre la Independencia de Abogados y Jueces del Colegio de Abogados de la Ciudad de Nueva York también se sumaron a la declaración.

Lea más➡️https://www.vancecenter.org/declaracion-colegio-de-abogados-chile-preocupacion-procesos-remocion-jueces-riesgos-independencia-judicial/

08/19/2026

🔎 Pro Bono Spotlight: Analyzing Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legal frameworks throughout South Africa

🤝 Our client: Network of African National Human Rights Institutions - NANHRI, an umbrella organization that brings together dozens of human rights groups across Africa

🏭 What we did: We worked with co-counsel to analyze legal frameworks in South Africa related to the mining and renewable energy sectors for NANHRI.

We researched and analyzed:
▶️ The extent to which existing South African law addresses HREDD issues
▶️ How the law holds businesses accountable for ways their practices threaten the planet

✅ The impact: The client used our research to inform their engagement in a convening held in South Africa to discuss HREDD practices with private sector, government, and civil society. NANHRI plans to build on our research to develop a comprehensive guide for South African businesses to comply with HREDD practices.

👉 Want to support projects like this? Help us continue protecting civil society and the right to a healthy environment at: www.vancecenter.org/donate

08/17/2026

Did you know... the Vance Center supports many independent and nonprofit clients, but we're a nonprofit too!

The Vance Center is part of the City Bar Fund, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the New York City Bar Association. Across its four programs, the Fund mobilizes New York City lawyers to do good work for people in need and for the legal profession.

On , we celebrate the efforts of our incredible civil society clients, who work to defend fundamental rights around the world. 🌍

We also celebrate our colleagues in the other City Bar Fund programs, who work to expand access to justice in New York City and beyond, and reinforce our commitment to advancing global justice and providing pro bono support where it is needed most. ⚖️

To learn more about our efforts and support our work, visit vancecenter.org/donate/

El Vance Center contribuyó a una declaración del New York City Bar Association que expresa preocupación por el reciente ...
08/11/2026

El Vance Center contribuyó a una declaración del New York City Bar Association que expresa preocupación por el reciente y alarmante recorte presupuestario impuesto por el Poder Ejecutivo de Costa Rica al Poder Judicial, así como por las señales de tensión institucional que ha generado entre los poderes del Estado, y las implicaciones más amplias para la en la región.⚖️

En el comunicado, el Colegio de Abogados de la Ciudad de Nueva York expresó su preocupación por el alarmante recorte presupuestario de más de US $59 millones impuesto por el Poder Ejecutivo de Costa Rica al Poder Judicial.🇨🇷

También alertó sobre las vacantes persistentes en la Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica, donde la falta de nombramiento de magistrados suplentes por parte del gobierno ha dejado a la Sala sin la posibilidad de alcanzar el quórum requerido para resolver casos cuando los magistrados titulares se inhiben.

El Colegio de Abogados observó que ambas cuestiones forman "parte de un patrón más amplio de presión del Poder Ejecutivo sobre la independencia judicial" en Costa Rica. Sostiene que ambos hechos contravienen las normas internacionales sobre independencia judicial que el propio Estado de Costa Rica ha reconocido e incorporado a su ordenamiento jurídico.

Asociaciones que representan a magistrados costarricenses y expertos internacionales, incluido la UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers y la Asociación Costarricense de la Judicatura han expresado su preocupación por el efecto de estos recortes.

El Colegio de Abogados insta a los demás Poderes del Estado de Costa Rica a proteger la autonomía presupuestaria del Poder Judicial y a garantizar que este pueda desempeñar su función sin restricciones ni presiones indebidas.

Lea más➡️https://www.vancecenter.org/declaracion-preocupacion-desmantelamiento-presupuestario-y-operativo-poder-judicial-costa-rica/

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42 W 44th Street
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