The firm’s co-workers take a great interest in various issues in society, something which the firm regards as positive. Mannheimer Swartling thinks it is important as a law firm to assume social responsibility. Accordingly the firm contributes with knowledge and development in supporting different projects and organisations.
Currently, the firm is involved in:
Centrum för rättvisa
Centrum för rättvisa (Centre for Justice) was founded in 2002 as an independent, non-profit organisation with a mission to protect individuals’ human rights and freedoms in Sweden. Mannheimer Swartling contributes on a pro bono basis with judicial expertise in legal proceedings. The firm’s involvement is led by partner Robin Oldenstam.
www.centrumforrattvisa.se
The Raoul Wallenberg institute
The institute promotes education and research on human rights. In May 2007, the firm, in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg institute in Lund, held a pilot course in human rights for lawyers from different parts of the world. The first step was to create a sustainable concept combining theoretical and practical elements for a large number of participants, and with the help of the foreign participants’ experiences, find suitable themes and teaching methods for such a concept. The result of the pilot course was an agenda for continuing and extending the collaboration and a course concept themed “Developing a Human Rights Tool Box”. This course was held for the first time in January 2008.
www.rwi.lu.se
SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages works to provide homeless children with a home, education and a stable upbringing. Mannheimer Swartling provides contributions and the partner Michael Karlsson is chairman of the board.
www.sos-barnbyar.se
United Nations
Mannheimer Swartling is participating in a UN-led project headed by Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on business and human rights.
The purpose of the project is to identify whether and how national corporate law principles and practices currently foster corporate cultures respectful of human rights. Several jurisdictions will be explored, chosen in order to ensure a broad geographical spread and a mix of common law, civil law and other legal traditions, as well as reflecting the expertise of the law firms involved. The team selected to work on the project includes representatives from fourteen leading business law firms from around the world. Mannheimer Swartling is represented by Michael Karlsson.
The Anti-Corruption Institute
The institute works to prevent and counteract bribes and corruption in society.
www.institutetmotmutor.se
Institutet skatter & rättssäkerhet
The institute promotes justice in the tax area. Partner Peter Nordquist is chairman of the board.
www.isr.org.se