Empowering Communities and Renewing Hope – Tohme Law Firm

By Carine Tohme

A common thread that unites all Interlaw firms is a deep commitment to serving their local communities. As Interlaw’s partner firm in Lebanon, Tohme Law Firm shares the conviction that the practice of law extends beyond the courtroom. Our lawyers are members of the communities we serve guided by the belief that legal professionals have a responsibility to uphold justice and dignity and support social resilience.  

From emergency relief to long-term renewal, Tohme Law Firm demonstrates how law can serve as a force for rebuilding lives and strengthening communities, demonstrating the power of legal service to restore trust, preserve heritage, and empower a nation’s recovery.  

Through this vision, our team turns justice into action, guiding communities from crisis to renewed resilience. Over the years, this commitment has inspired a range of initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4 – quality education, SDG5 – gender equality, SDG16 – peace, justice, and strong institutions, and SDG17 – partnership for the goals), including post-disaster legal aid, heritage preservation, support for the elderly, and the empowerment of youth and women in leadership. 

Together LiBeirut: Legal Support in Emergency Relief 

In the immediate aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Tohme Law Firm became the legal services partner of Together LiBeirut, an organization that mobilized a recovery campaign uniting local NGOs and the Lebanese diaspora, to provide emergency legal support to affected communities. 

As the campaign’s legal partner, our firm contributed over 315 hours of pro bono assistance to vulnerable tenants, families, and small businesses facing eviction, property loss, and contract disputes. Our firm helped draft rent-relief agreements, mediated disputes, and guided community members through housing and tenancy regulations, ensuring they could remain in their homes and restart their lives despite the extensive devastation.

House of Christmas: Safeguarding Heritage and Community Renewal 

Building on the immediate emergency phase, as legal counsel of House of Christmas the focus was on long-term recovery and heritage preservation. Our firm supported the restoration of heritage buildings and the revival of community life in Beirut’s worst affected districts.  

Our assistance extended beyond tenancy rights to include legal frameworks for reconstruction projects, partnerships with artisans, and heritage protection compliance. These initiatives helped preserve Beirut’s architectural and cultural identity while supporting sustainable livelihoods for its residents. Our assistance ensured that tenants and small business owners benefited from secure tenancy rights and clear frameworks for reconstruction.       

Beit Jdoudna: Extending Compassion to Lebanon’s Elderly 

Community care has always been central to our mission. During the Christmas season, Tohme Law Firm donated to Beit Jdoudna, a shelter operated by charitable organization Lifeline that has provided food, medical care, housing, and dignity to Lebanon’s unhoused elderly since 2019. Our contribution supported Beit Jdoudna’s mission and reaffirmed our belief in solidarity and compassion for vulnerable, older generations.   

Empowering the Next Generation 

Education and opportunity are key to rebuilding Lebanon’s future. As part of the “Accessing New Markets to Scale” program co-organized by CS Touch Advisors and Saint Joseph University of Beirut’s Business School, our lawyers shared expertise on partnerships, regulatory compliance, and investment readiness. By supporting emerging entrepreneurs, we helped them understand the legal frameworks that allow their ventures to grow responsibly and sustainably.   

LIFE: The Role of Women in the New Lebanon

Tohme Law Firm also serves as legal counsel to LIFE (Lebanese International Finance Executives), a global non-partisan network that connects the Lebanese diaspora and professionals worldwide. As a member of LIFE’s Board of Directors, I co-hosted an evening event titled “The Role of Women in the New Lebanon.” The discussion celebrated women’s leadership in finance, the private sector, civil society, and the judiciary. This reflected LIFE’s mission to equip Lebanese youth with the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to succeed. As lawyers, our role is not limited to resolving disputes, it is about enabling people to rebuild their lives, to participate in their communities, and to believe in the future again.  

Looking Ahead 

From pro bono legal aid following the Beirut port explosion to preserving cultural heritage, supporting the elderly, and empowering entrepreneurs, Tohme Law Firm continues to demonstrate that the law can be a vehicle for strengthening resilience and equality. 

Through these initiatives, we proudly contribute to the global Interlaw Cares mission, which promotes community engagement, environmental stewardship, and the support of humanitarian initiatives and global development projects. Together with our colleagues across the Interlaw network, we remain dedicated to using our legal expertise to protect rights, empower communities, and work towards Lebanon’s long-term recovery.