ILAC announces expansion to Washington, D.C.

Stockholm, Sweden – The International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) announces the launch of its new office in Washington D.C. The non-for-profit Consortium headquartered in Stockholm comprises over 50 international technical assistance organizations that have come together to better coordinate their work, make expert assessments, and advise stakeholders on how to rebuild justice systems in post conflict countries.

“This is an exciting time for ILAC as we fully enter our second decade of operations and open our newest office in Washington D.C.,” said Christian Åhlund, ILAC’s Executive Director. “ILAC has had a successful track record bringing together local stakeholders with our Coalition members and European and international policy makers to provide expert assessments and coordinate legal technical assistance in post conflict countries and scenarios.  With the launch of our largest endeavor yet in the Middle East and North Africa the timing is right to expand our advocacy more fully to Washington D.C. to better incorporate U.S. policy makers into these discussions.”

In 2014 ILAC member organizations came together with local stakeholders to launch a coordinated assistance program in the Middle East and North Africa that will build the capacity and infrastructure of the region’s justice systems. The program is primarily funded by Swedish Sida.
 “Our Middle East and North Africa Program is the perfect example of ILAC’s reach and capacity,” continued Mr. Åhlund.  “Rather than flood the region with competing technical assistance programs, ILAC worked with its membership base to develop one program that works in concert with the Coalition’s many projects.  In doing so, our technical assistance does not overburden the host countries nor are resources and time wasted with duplicative endeavors.”

Quinn O'Keefe to lead Washington Office
ILAC also gains depth of international and rule of law development expertise with the addition of Quinn O’Keefe to its leadership ranks. The industry veteran will lead ILAC's expansion to the United States drawing upon her advocacy and program development experience as executive director with the CEELI Institute, an ILAC member organization, which promotes rule of law in countries in transition through professional trainings and exchanges.  During her time with the CEELI Institute, Human Rights First and the American Bar Association, Ms. O’Keefe regularly briefed U.S. and European policy makers on how best to structure and coordinate human rights and rule of law development support in the Middle East and North Africa, Eurasia and South Asia.  She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
 “Quinn brings to ILAC a wealth of expertise in international relations and rule of law development and we are truly excited to have her on board,” concluded Mr. Åhlund. “Together with the ILAC team in Sweden, Quinn will help usher in our second decade of programming and partnerships that will include rapid training initiatives for legal communities responding to political and social transitions in the Middle East and North Africa and Asia.”

CONTACT:
Christian Åhlund, Executive Director of ILAC, Phone: +46854571423

Quinn O’Keefe, Director ILAC Washington, Phone: (US) 202-286-6470