For more than ten years, Amazon has been dedicated to providing free legal services to communities in need through its Pro Bono Program.
In 2014, David Zapolsky, Amazon’s senior vice president of global public policy and general counsel, with 35 years of legal experience, created the pro bono program. This initiative has allowed Amazon to expand its capacity to offer free legal aid and has been instrumental in breaking down barriers in underserved communities globally.
“Amazon employees were active in pro bono work long before the formal launch of the program, but our efforts have broadened significantly on a global scale with a more organized structure to help engage and support employees, encourage and facilitate partnerships with law firms and third-party organizations, and provide trainings and other resources for team members worldwide who are passionate about this impactful work,” said Sean Croman, vice president and associate general counsel of Amazon’s Legal organization and a member of its pro bono executive committee.
Among the Amazon employees actively involved in the program is Gavin Pereira, a current Audible corporate counsel and former Amazon associate corporate counsel for devices, Alexa, App Store, and Amazon Music. Having been raised in India, Pereira witnessed firsthand the difficulties of navigating the judicial system, especially for underrepresented and marginalized groups. This experience fueled his passion for law, leading him to earn degrees from Jindal Global Law School and Columbia Law School. His commitment to pro bono work was evident during his time at Amazon, where he volunteered with the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) Program’s expungement clinic.
“I remember a client burdened by a decades-old record who wanted to clear it to set a positive example for her grandchild. When I told her she was eligible for expungement, her relief and joy were clear. It was more than just a legal outcome; it was a step towards her future. That experience reinforced the significant impact access to justice can have, not only for individuals but also for their families and communities,” Pereira shared.
Pereira and over 2,200 other legal employees have contributed over 65,000 volunteer hours worldwide, working on cases involving voting rights, wrongful convictions, stable housing, deportation, adoption assistance, resources for artists and arts organizations, and more.
“Pro bono work is essential because it addresses the various obstacles—economic, systemic, and social—that prevent people from accessing justice,” Pereira explained. “It equips individuals with the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives, whether through finding stable housing, securing employment, or gaining a sense of dignity and inclusion in society.”
Technology has also played a key role in supporting Amazon’s pro bono work. These technologies have improved communication, training, and the sharing of important guidance. An internal pro bono website enables team members to log and track service hours, generate reports and analytics, communicate through virtual and in-person meetings, collaborate on service opportunities, and translate information, among other things. Croman shared that some technological tools had been developed by Amazon’s internal technology teams, while others had been created by law firms or third-party organizations.
“All of these tools and technologies have been indispensable in scaling the global reach of our pro bono program, the services we’ve provided, and the people we’ve served over the last decade,” Croman noted.
Looking ahead, Amazon plans to continue expanding the reach and impact of its pro bono program. The goal is to ensure that employees can participate in projects that align with their interests.
“We will continue to take vital cues from our employees around the world who regularly identify and take the lead on new services opportunities relevant to the communities in which they live and work, and we will also continue working to make it as easy as possible for employees – wherever they may be located – to learn about, access, and meaningfully engage in as many opportunities as possible,” Croman expressed.
