Atty. Darren J. Gonzales, Associate Dean of the John Wesley School of Law and Governance (JWSLG) and concurrent Director of the Office of Legal Aid, would represent Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) at the Public Interest Lawyering Network (PILnet) Global Forum in Rome, Italy, from November 11 to 13, 2025.
Atty. Gonzales would serve as one of the only two delegates from the Philippines, joining hundreds of leading legal professionals, academics, and advocates from across the globe in this prestigious international gathering. The PILnet Global Forum is recognized as one of the world’s foremost platforms for advancing public interest law, pro bono service, and access to justice initiatives.
His participation would be a milestone not only for the JWSLG but also for the country’s legal education sector. Through his engagement, the School reinforced its commitment to upholding social justice and legal empowerment for marginalized communities, consistent with its mission of forming lawyers who are both competent and compassionate.
The forum would provide an avenue for Atty. Gonzales to exchange insights and best practices on pro bono work, clinical legal education, and public interest lawyering, particularly in contexts that promote inclusive justice systems. The experience would enhance the school’s ongoing efforts to expand its Pro Bono and Clinical Legal Aid programs, bringing innovative and community-oriented strategies into its academic and extension services.
“Being part of this global dialogue strengthens our resolve to ensure that access to justice is not a privilege but a guaranteed right for every Filipino,” Atty. Gonzales remarked before his departure. “Our participation is a step toward bridging local realities with global movements for human dignity and equality before the law.”
Through this representation, JWSLG bolstered its international presence and collaboration with institutions committed to the ideals of justice and service. It would stand as a proud testament to the school’s dedication to producing not only skilled legal practitioners but also advocates of reform and defenders of the marginalized—true to the Wesleyan tradition of faith in action.
WUP expressed its congratulations to Atty. Gonzales for this milestone and anticipation of the insights and global partnerships that would emerge from his participation in the PILnet Global Forum 2025.
Article and photos courtesy of Darren J. Gonzales
