Can lessons learned from military and diplomatic cooperation enhance how lawyers operate in the private and nonprofit sectors? For in-house counsel and legal leaders alike, embracing interagency legal collaboration may be the key to building more strategic, global, and justice-driven partnerships.
That’s the insight shared by Robin Taylor, Executive Director of Lawyers Without Borders. With a 23-year career as a federal prosecutor and years of international legal service, Robin has built a career on the belief that legal professionals can accomplish more when they collaborate across boundaries. These boundaries include agencies, highlighting the interagency legal collaboration needed in diverse contexts. They also include sectors and even countries. Her story offers a powerful case study in how interagency legal collaboration can be adapted to modern in-house practice.
Watch the full conversation with Robin Taylor here:
From Prosecutor to Advocate of Interagency Legal Collaboration
Robin’s journey from federal prosecutor to head of a global legal nonprofit gave her firsthand experience in both courtroom precision and field diplomacy. Her overseas postings—from Germany to Kenya and Indonesia—deepened her respect for diverse legal systems. They also showed her the power of cross-sector partnerships, particularly in interagency collaborations. Whether prosecuting organized crime or working with local courts abroad, she learned that collaboration across agencies and cultures was essential for sustainable legal reform.
Legal Collaboration and the Mission Behind Rule of Law
To understand Robin’s work today, it’s important to define two key concepts: rule of law and access to justice. For Robin, rule of law means the fair and consistent application of laws, where no one is above the system. Access to justice ensures that people have the ability to claim their rights and seek redress through fair legal mechanisms. These principles guide her work at Lawyers Without Borders and shape every cross-sector partnership, which involves interagency legal collaboration, the organization builds.
From Military Cooperation to Nonprofit Impact
During her time working with U.S. European Command, Robin experienced structured interagency collaboration firsthand. Representatives from different arms of government met regularly to align on shared objectives, fostering interagency legal collaboration. This experience shaped her nonprofit leadership style—especially in building strategic partnerships across NGOs, government agencies, and international institutions. In legal practice, this model allows lawyers to share knowledge, align goals, and respond to complex problems with more impact.
Lessons for In-House Lawyers
Interagency legal collaboration is more than a concept—it’s a practice. Robin recalls projects involving military intelligence used in criminal cases, which required cooperation between defense and civilian law enforcement. These collaborations were successful because the teams had shared goals, open communication, and clearly defined roles. For in-house legal teams navigating regulatory risk, compliance, or ESG initiatives, these same principles apply, and interagency collaboration enhances their effectiveness.
Non-Profits as Strategic Partners in Justice
Robin highlights how nonprofits fill critical gaps, especially in jurisdictions with limited legal infrastructure. Lawyers Without Borders supports local justice systems through training and legal support, utilizing interagency legal collaboration. But just as importantly, they build credibility by maintaining neutrality and high ethical standards. Nonprofits like hers rely on partnerships with in-house teams, law firms, and governments to extend their reach and impact.
Interagency Legal Collaboration as a Tool for Broader Impact
Robin’s work reminds us that interagency legal collaboration is not just a tool for governments or nonprofits—it’s a mindset. For in-house lawyers, it means looking beyond your company walls to collaborate with regulators, civil society, and peer organizations in an interagency legal framework. It’s about building strategic alliances that advance not just business goals, but justice itself. In a world where legal challenges are increasingly global, your influence grows with every connection you make.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 5, Episode 3 (ft. Robin Taylor)
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