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.
Photo: Doctors Without Borders
Gender equality, diversity and inclusion
Toppfotball Kvinner
We are proud collaboration partners of Toppfotball Kvinner, which is the special interest organisation for the clubs in the two top women’s soccer divisions in Norway. Although women soccer players are still facing challenges that prevent them from practising their sport in the best possible manner, there have been many positive developments in recent years. Toppfotball Kvinner is the prime driving force for the development of Norwegian women’s soccer, and has made great strides in its quest for equal soccer opportunities for girls and boys.
We want to contribute to the continuation of such developments, and to enable women soccer players to enthuse, surprise and lead the way in their arena. Our contribution has a special focus on professionalisation and skills development in the Top League. At Thommessen, we are committed to investing in women talents – both in the legal industry and in soccer. Our collaboration enables all Top League clubs to get access to a VR technology-based learning tool for soccer players, provided by Be Your Best.
=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 have been Big Enough Global’s main collaboration partner since their inception in 2018, and assist them with advice and financial support. The organisation, which is chaired by former law student Kimiya Sajjadi, promotes more multicultural diversity in those parts of the private and public sector where people with multicultural background are underrepresented. While we provide advice and financial support, Big Enough Global is a valuable sounding board for us in our quest to become a more diverse firm.
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.
Health
Oslo Cancer Cluster
We have been a member of the Oslo Cancer Cluster (OCC) since 2019 and have provided them with advice. The OCC is a non-profit oncology research and industry cluster. The cluster aims to accelerate the development of new cancer diagnostics and treatments. The OCC was established in 2006 and has members representing the entire value chain from research to industry.
