Building Bridges Beyond the Practice

PRO BONO & GLOBAL ETHICS LEADERSHIP

Building bridges to justice at home and abroad

At Saphan Pont, we believe that the practice of law carries a responsibility that extends beyond client service. Just as we bridge the gap between science and the regulatory frameworks that bring therapies to patients, we are committed to building bridges to justice for those who need it most—whether individuals seeking asylum in the United States, research communities striving to protect human subjects in Africa, or emerging professionals navigating the intersection of law and mental health.

Securing Safety for Immigrants

Sabune Winkler has provided pro bono support in complex asylum matters, collaborating with immigration attorneys to conduct in-depth legal and factual research on country conditions and human rights issues, prepare legal briefs and declarations, and organize extensive case files for individuals fleeing persecution. This work reflects our firm's belief that legal advocacy can be a lifeline for the most vulnerable among us.

Advancing Ethical Research Globally

As an Advisor to Liberia's National Research Ethics Board for the Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia (PREVAIL), a joint Liberia-United States research partnership, Sabune provides strategic counsel to protect the rights of research participants and promote the highest ethical standards in research across West Africa. She also is engaged with the Democratic Republic of the Congo government on health initiatives. This global engagement brings the same rigorous approach to research ethics that we apply to our commercial practice, ensuring that clinical research conducted in emerging regions meets international standards and safeguards participant welfare.

Shaping the Future of Psychedelic Law

As a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association and an active member of its Psilocybin Education Initiative Subcommittee, Sabune contributes to the development of thoughtful legal and policy frameworks for an emerging therapeutic sector. Her participation in the competitive invitation-only Psychedelics Bootcamp at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School reflects a commitment to bridging rigorous scholarship with practical guidance for this evolving area of medicine and law.

THE SAPHAN PONT BRIDGE PROGRAM

Building the next generation of life sciences legal professionals

The legal profession, particularly in specialized fields like life sciences and clinical research, benefits when it reflects the diversity of the patients and communities it ultimately serves. Saphan Pont Law Partners is launching a pipeline program designed to introduce students and others from underrepresented backgrounds to careers at the intersection of law, science, and global health.

Program Elements

The Saphan Pont Bridge Program is designed to meet students at different stages of their educational journeys. We partner with high school and college students to provide exposure to legal careers in life sciences through informational sessions, office visits, and mentorship. For law students, we offer structured learning opportunities that provide real-world experience in clinical trial contracting, regulatory compliance, and cross-border research law. Participants gain insight into the full lifecycle of therapeutic development—from early-stage research agreements to global clinical trials to commercialization—while building professional skills and relationships that will serve them throughout their careers.

Why Bridge Program Matters

The life sciences industry is global, and so are the patients it serves. A diverse pipeline of legal professionals brings varied perspectives to the ethical, regulatory, and commercial challenges that shape therapeutic development. By investing in bridge initiatives, Saphan Pont honors its founding commitment to bridging disciplines, cultures, and borders—starting with the next generation of legal talent.