International Senior Lawyers Project Announces Laura Pavlovic as Director of Programs

International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) is excited to welcome Laura Pavlovic as Director of Programs, effective July 23. A distinguished leader in international development, experienced attorney, and longtime advocate for the rule of law, Laura brings more than two decades of experience designing initiatives that strengthen governance, civil society, and economic opportunity around the world.

Throughout her career, Laura has forged partnerships among governments, civil society organizations, donors, and the private sector to advance democratic accountability and sustainable development. During senior leadership roles at USAID, most recently as Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureaus for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization and for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, she directed complex global portfolios. Laura led efforts that mobilized support for democratic reform and rule of law initiatives, including strengthening legal environments for civil society, advancing judicial, economic and anti-corruption reforms, supporting investigative journalism and media development, and building cross-sector coalitions for reform in countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Laura has long viewed pro bono legal engagement as central to advancing justice and democratic institutions. “ISLP’s model of connecting top-flight volunteer legal expertise with governments, civil society organizations, and social enterprises is compelling and critical, particularly at a time when organizations working to strengthen the rule of law face unprecedented challenges,’’ she notes.

Laura began her legal career as a corporate associate at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York and Washington, where she focused on securities and mergers and acquisitions, and maintained a robust pro bono practice. Laura earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and her Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.

As Director of Programs, Laura will oversee ISLP’s program team, ensuring the highest standards of excellence across the organization’s global portfolio while helping develop new programs and strategic partnerships. Laura’s experience building institutions, cultivating collaborations, and translating complex legal and policy challenges into practical solutions will help position ISLP for continued impact at a time when demand for high-quality pro bono legal assistance continues to grow.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to ISLP,” said Sara Lulo, ISLP’s Executive Director. “She combines extraordinary experience leading global rule of law and democracy programs with a deep commitment to pro bono service and partnership. Laura understands both the legal and institutional challenges our partners face and the tremendous value that experienced volunteer lawyers can bring in addressing them. Her leadership, strategic vision, and collaborative approach will strengthen our programs, expand our partnerships, and help ISLP reach even more organizations working to advance justice and the rule of law around the world.”

ISLP is excited to have Laura’s expertise as it continues expanding the reach and impact of ISLP’s unique model of connecting world-class pro bono legal expertise with organizations working to build stronger institutions, more resilient societies, and greater opportunity worldwide.