Spain Hosts 7th Annual Pro Bono Conference
The 7th Annual Pro Bono Conference in Spain brought together 120 legal professionals, law students, NGOs, and legal clinics in Madrid to explore the role of pro bono work in addressing the legal and social challenges faced by older adults. The event, held as part of the European Pro Bono Week across 12 countries, was co-organized by Fundación Pro Bono España and Fundación Fernando Pombo.
The event was opened by Carlos Rueda, senior partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo; José Luis de Castro, president of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Pro Bono España and founding partner and director of De Castro Estudio de Abogados; and Manuel Martín, president of Fundación Fernando Pombo. This year’s theme focused on aging and dignity, highlighting legal barriers affecting the elderly and how pro bono legal initiatives can support autonomy and access to justice in later life. The first panel showcased impactful projects supporting elder rights, including legal literacy efforts, anti-ageism tools, and proposed legal reforms.
Moderated discussions emphasized the need for interdisciplinary and multigenerational approaches. The second panel explored whether age itself creates legal vulnerability and called for coordinated, rights-based responses to aging. Speakers from legal, academic, and social sectors—including KUVU Inclusión Social and Fundación Mutualidad—shared practical insights into how law can better support aging populations.
The conference concluded with a call to strengthen collaboration across the legal community to ensure the law remains an effective tool for social justice and inclusion.
