At Thommessen, we seek, together with our clients, to shape the business sector of the future and to safeguard corporate values and the rule of law. Our social involvement is not only reflected in the work we do, but also through the NGOs we support. We support several ambitious CSR and pro bono initiatives. Knowledge is our key resource, and represents our main contribution to enabling NGOs to pursue their mission under optimum conditions.
Corporate responsibility
At Thommessen, we are committed to promoting a well-functioning business sector. Sverre Tyrhaug
Managing Partner
Our main CSR partner
Doctors Without Borders
Every year, we provide our main CSR partner, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), with both legal pro bono services and financial support. MSF is a neutral and independent medical aid organisation which saves lives and alleviates suffering in more than seventy countries each year.
Thommessen has an ambassador group of committed lawyers who assist MSF with legal advice. Several ambassador group members have deepened their acquaintance with MSF by visiting its Brussels headquarters. Thommessen representatives have also accompanied MSF to Lebanon to observe its essential work at close quarters.
In addition to our regular financial support, initiatives and activities such as external client evaluations, post-event evaluations and internal fund-raising campaigns generate additional funds to enable MSF to pursue its essential mission.
Diversity and inclusion
Oslo Pride
At Thommessen, we actively work to create an environment free from discrimination, where everyone can be themselves at work. Through our collaboration with Oslo Pride, we also aim to contribute to a society where everyone can feel free to be who they are and love whomever they choose.
The voluntary organization Oslo Pride promotes values that oppose discrimination, harassment, and persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, they help highlight LGBTQ+ perspectives in international human rights work. We are a proud partner and provide the organization with legal pro bono services.
Held every June, the Oslo Pride festival stands as the Nordics' premier celebration of love and diversity. Its purpose is to create a safe and inclusive meeting place for LGBTQ+ individuals, showcase the breadth of LGBTQ+ culture, and contribute to diversity in Norwegian society.
Photo: Ida Toldnæs / Oslo Pride
=Kaffe
=Kaffe is the most important coffee bar in Oslo. The baristas, who have a history of substance misuse, are getting the oppurtunity for paid work, skills development and self-rilance. Thommessen provided financial support and legal assistance upon the establishment of =Kaffe in 2017. Four years later, it was finally time for a pleasant reunion in our new premises in VIA in Oslo. At the beginning of 2021, we signed an agreement with the city’s best baristas to operate the coffee bar on ThommessenTorget. This has quickly become a populare meeting point for both TeamThommessen and clients visiting us.
Big Enough Global
We are the main partner of Big Enough Global, which works to promote diversity in the Norwegian business sector. We provided financial support and legal advice during the establishment and are now the host of Big Enough Global’s professional diversity network, in which we also participate.
Sustainable business
UN Global Compact
At Thommessen, we work with our clients to help businesses develop and choose future-oriented and sustainable solutions. In 2019, we joined the UN Global Compact to further strengthen our sustainability commitment. The UN Global Compact is a global network for businesses committed to social responsibility and promoting responsible and sustainable business practices. The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest global corporate social responsibility initiative. Joining the UN Global Compact means that we are doing our utmost to run our business in conformity with ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation
Lex Mundi is a global network of leading independent law firms, with Thommessen as its exclusive Norwegian member. The Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation garners support for social entrepreneurs from the Lex Mundi member firms.
We provide, through our affiliation with the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation, legal assistance to social entrepreneurs who have a positive impact on their communities.
