A quintessential example of how Dentons' global reach benefits the Firm's pro bono clients is the transnational research we conducted in 2017 for the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), a global pro bono law firm that provides legal assistance to states and governments involved in the prosecution of war criminals. The PILPG provides legal assistance and judicial training to the Iraqi High Tribunal on issues pertaining to its prosecution of armed actors for war crimes committed in Iraq. In support of that effort, we produced two major pieces of research and analysis—"Criminal Case Submissions by Non-State Parties in Iraq" and "Asserting Privilege Under International Law for Human Rights." Legal professionals from 16 Dentons offices, including Budapest, Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Jeddah, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Muscat, New York, Paris, Riyadh, Rome and Washington, DC, collaborated on the reports.

Below, Timothy Straub, an associate in the New York office, discusses his experience working on these matters.

Why do you think Dentons was the right firm to handle this matter?

Dentons' status as a global law firm, with professionals practicing and versed in the disparate criminal justice systems of numerous jurisdictions around the globe, made it possible to provide the comprehensive comparative analysis that the client requested. This wide-ranging experience and expertise made it possible for our team to provide PILPG with an in depth analysis of the Iraqi criminal justice system and legal privileges available under that system, as well as a comparison with inquisitorial justice systems, and the legal privileges available, in numerous other jurisdictions, with the object of helping PILPG assist human rights documenters in prosecuting non-state actors for wrongs committed against Iraqis.

Can you talk about the teamwork behind your effort?

The memos were the product of collaboration of numerous Dentons legal professionals located in the United States, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Drawing on their knowledge of local criminal law and procedure involving the investigation and prosecution of a wide spectrum of criminal activity, we were able to provide a comparative analysis of the criminal justice systems and procedures in multiple jurisdictions worldwide, and discuss its applicability in the context of a war crime or crime against humanity.

What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

The scope of the inquiry and the number of legal professionals was the main challenge, but also one we were confident of taking on given our experience handling complex cross-border transactions and disputes. We diligently and efficiently coordinated and facilitated the research and contributions of our professionals across three continents, and then compiled the fruits of their labor into two cohesive memoranda that answered the client's questions and addressed its needs.

What is your favorite memory from the experience and/or what are you most proud of?

I believe I speak for the entire team in saying that it has been a source of no small pride knowing that our legal skills and knowledge will be put to practical use by those on the ground in Iraq as they work to prosecute wrongs committed against Iraqi citizens, while concurrently working to reform and modernize the country's troubled criminal justice system.

What was the impact of your work on PILPG or its key stakeholders?

Our team's analysis and recommendations for prosecuting non-state actors for crimes against humanity under the Iraqi criminal justice system will aid the PILPG in preparing criminal cases in that war-ravaged country, and in working with the human rights documenters who interview potential victims and witnesses, by identifying potential avenues for prosecution and outlining best practices for such prosecutions.

In fact, it was based on the strength of our original analysis, "Criminal Case Submissions by Non-State Parties in Iraq," that the client returned to us with a request to provide an analysis of the legal privileges available to human rights documenters in Iraq and a comparative analysis of similar privileges around the globe.

The quality of both memorandums is a testament to our dedication to putting an end to impunity in the Middle East and fostering a culture of justice. Brett Edwards of PILPG was over the moon.

In a thank-you note to Meriam Al-Rashid and John Balouziyeh, she said, "Highlighting the difference between prosecuting members of the armed forces versus non-state actors in a non-international armed conflict and the associated potential challenges was immensely helpful…and [t]he comparative practice section offers key tenets of other states' criminal codes and serves as an excellent primer on inquisitorial legal systems… Your specific recommendations and 'best practices' are of value to PILPG, and we sincerely appreciate the practical advice."