Amazon has released its 2024 Pro Bono Report, which outlines the company's community impact over the past year and reflects on a decade of service. The report highlights efforts such as supporting children escaping war, violence, and persecution.
According to David Zapolsky, senior vice president of global public policy and general counsel at Amazon, the company’s legal and policy teams have been involved in areas like wrongful conviction exoneration, voting rights, and immigrant assistance. Reflecting on his 35-year career, he recalled a pro bono case involving a class action that secured $250,000 for families facing eviction. Since becoming Amazon's general counsel in 2012, Zapolsky has focused on developing the company’s pro bono program. Over the past decade, more than 2,200 employees have contributed over 65,000 hours of service globally.
Amazon partners with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to provide legal representation for children fleeing violence and persecution. These children often face adult-like deportation processes at the U.S.-Mexico border without legal support. With this assistance, 96% of cases are resolved successfully, underscoring the importance of legal counsel in navigating complex immigration proceedings.
KIND is an international nonprofit organization focused on protecting unaccompanied and separated children. Founded in 2008, KIND provides legal representation and psychosocial support to displaced children through a network of offices in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. The organization collaborates with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector partners to deliver pro bono legal aid for children worldwide.
Amazon offers a range of services including online and in-person shopping, delivery of fresh produce, media distribution through platforms like Alexa and Fire TV, cloud solutions via Amazon Web Services (AWS), logistics operations, customer service, as well as entertainment through Amazon Originals, Prime Video, and Audible.