Founded in 2001, the International Legal Foundation is the leading global advocate for the right to counsel for the poor. We are pioneering the establishment of public defender offices as countries rebuild and remake their criminal justice systems. Our team works in some of the world's most challenging places, where poor, vulnerable, and marginalized groups face discrimination and abuse. We achieve systemic change through litigation, advocacy, and policy reform. 

The ILF currently has programs in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Tunisia, and the West Bank. Over the years, we have represented more than 60,000 people and trained and mentored hundreds of lawyers. We are building a culture of defense and creating a new generation of skilled defense lawyers through multi-year, intensive mentoring.

We also conduct high-level advocacy, pushing countries, international institutions, and donors to prioritize legal aid as a fundamental human right. We were a drafter of the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. We also organized the first-ever international conference on public defense, held in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2014. Today, we are in the vanguard of global efforts to standardize public defense so quality legal services are measurable and accountable.

Non Profit

The International Legal Foundation

Jennifer Smith

Shikha Pandey

Allan Dahl

Noorul Huda Gul Zada

Hanen Fathallah

Leah Conklin

Ahadullah Azimi

Mohammad Nabi Waqar

Ajay Shankar Jha Rupesh

Ghadanfar Kamanji

Clarissa Malibiran

The Advisory Council Team at the International Legal Foundation provides strategic guidance and expert advice to the organization, drawing on their extensive experience in legal defense, policy development, and international human rights advocacy. The team supports the ILF’s mission by advising on best practices, facilitating high-level discussions, and helping to shape policy reforms to strengthen public defender systems globally. Their counsel ensures that the ILF’s initiatives remain impactful and aligned with the evolving landscape of international criminal justice.

Advisory Council Team

Finance and Administration Team

Legal Team

Advisory Council Team

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Other teams at The International Legal Foundation

Finance and Administration Team

Legal Team