Putting a monetary value on the pro bono work that legal professionals do around the world each year may be an impossible task. But the individuals, non-profit, community, and other organizations that receive the support of corporations and law firms for tasks that they otherwise could not afford—or do not have the time to do—consider it priceless.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Microsoft have worked together for more than two years on trademark protection and consistent use of key Paralympic brand assets across markets. It is one of many examples of organizations, their in-house teams, and external intellectual property (IP) practitioners working together to achieve positive results for social, non-profit, and other causes.

“In my opinion, the strongest pro bono partnerships are the ones that move from helpful moments to durable habits, anchored in a clear, shared vision of what the client is trying to achieve,” says Cam Gatta, Assistant General Counsel, Global Trademarks at Microsoft Corporation (USA), moderator of the panel Purpose in Practice: Pro Bono IP Work and the Paralympic Movement, Sunday, May 3, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Elizabeth Riley, General Counsel at the International Paralympic Committee (Germany), Tracy Cooke, Business Program Manager, Global Trademarks (CELA) at Microsoft Corporation (USA), Imogen Fowler, Partner at Hogan Lovells (Spain), and Matthew Homyk, Partner at Blank Rome (USA) will join Mr. Gatta on stage to discuss how such work can champion inclusion, accessibility, and innovation, and what makes a successful pro bono partnership.

Mr. Gatta says successful pro bono partnerships start with establishing clarity and momentum, and go on to build trust and maturity. He explains that it is about equipping the pro bono client with the skills they need and will use after the external IP lawyers or advisors have left the building.

“In the end, the best pro bono work leaves behind capability, not just answers, so the organization can make good decisions repeatedly, even when counsel isn’t in the room,” he adds.

The approach Microsoft takes to pro bono work is no different from how it manages its own trademark portfolio.

“The core principles are the same. We apply the same rigor, structured thinking, and repeatable ways of working that we use to protect Microsoft’s portfolio and brand assets, including clear objectives, prioritization, pragmatic risk assessment, and disciplined execution,” says Ms. Cooke.

The IPC sees IP protection as a way to protect the long-term value of Paralympic properties so they can be reinvested in things like athlete pathways, accessible venues, and development programs, according to Ms. Riley.

The end goal is to advance the IPC’s vision of making the world more inclusive through Para sport.

“For the IPC, brand protection is not just about preventing misuse, it is about strengthening the visibility and public awareness of the organization’s names and symbols, and, consequently, those of the Paralympic and Para Movement itself,” Ms. Riley says.

“The aim is straightforward: fewer resources lost to misuse and confusion, and more predictable, values-aligned commercial partnerships that fund inclusion,” she adds.

Often pro bono work means freeing up the time of the small in-house legal team to focus on other issues; this applies to the Microsoft-IPC relationship.

“By reducing day-to-day friction in IP strategy, brand governance, and misuse response, we help the IPC spend more time enabling high-integrity partnerships and advancing Para sport for people with disabilities, while sustaining the organization’s broader societal impact beyond competition,” Mr. Gatta says.