The Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Hosts Two New Legal Clinics for Social Entrepreneurs

New legal clinics for social entrepreneurs were developed by two Lex Mundi member firms in conjunction with the Foundation in recent months. Lawyers from Womble Bond Dickinson LLP (USA, North Carolina) and Morrison & Foerster LLP (USA, California) co-hosted webinars with the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation on topics of critical importance to our social entrepreneur clients.

The first webinar centered on intellectual property issues facing social enterprises. Womble Bond Dickinson lawyers, Dan Ovanezian and Laura Kees presented on copyright, trademark, and patent issues and answered detailed questions from the social entrepreneurs that participated. The attendees were also provided a guidance document on intellectual property written earlier this year for the Foundation by Womble Bond Dickinson lawyers Kees, Ovanezian, Christine Beaman Rankin and Chris Kokoska.

The second webinar focused on “hybrid”  corporate entity structures – a topic of rapidly growing interest amongst social entrepreneurs. Jesse Finfrock, a corporate lawyer in Morrison & Foerster’s Social Enterprise + Impact Investing group and an expert on the topic, provided an in-depth summary of the intricacies involved in this complex structure and answered several questions from the social enterprise organizations in attendance. “Everything we do can be improved and corporate structures are no exception,” Finfrock said. “It is always inspiring when social entrepreneurs come together to question the status quo and build the infrastructure for a better world.”

Individuals from 26 unique social enterprises attended the two clinics and gave high reviews of the materials and information provided. One such review came from Kate Venezia, Director of Operations at digitalundivided, an organization that promotes economic empowerment for women of color through entrepreneurship, who said: “I very much enjoyed the webinar – it was incredibly helpful!”

We look forward to holding more clinics on these and other topics in the new year.

News On Purpose

In this Issue

  • 2023 Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awardees
  • Ensuring No Woman Delivers in the Dark
  • Lex Mundi Recognized at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
  • Unleashing the Full Potential of Scientists Worldwide

Awards Honor 5 Lex Mundi Member Law Firms for Providing Critical Pro Bono Legal Services and Support to Social Impact Organizations

The 14th Annual Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awards were announced during the 2023 Lex Mundi Connect + Collaborate Annual Conference in San Francisco on Thursday, May 4, 20023. These awards honor Lex Mundi member law firms that provide critical pro bono legal services – helping to strengthen the global rule of law, support the global social entrepreneurship movement, and improve lives, the environment, and communities around the world.

Guidance on Authorized Transactions Related to Earthquake Relief Efforts in Syria

This guidance responds to specific questions OFAC received related to earthquake relief efforts in Syria and explains how to provide legitimate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people in compliance with U.S. sanctions.

News On Purpose

In This Issue

  • 2022 in Review: Climbing Mountains and Breaking Records
  • New Blue: An Incubator for Reform-Minded Officers Reflects on Tyre Nichols
  • Mercy Corps: A Vision for Resilience in the Caribbean
  • Felix Organization: Adoptees Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Sheila Jaffe Give Back

Lex Mundi Wins Prestigious Catalyst Business Commitment Badge at the World Economic Forum

Lex Mundi has been awarded a Catalyst Business Commitment badge at this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, following the work of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation to support social enterprise.

News On Purpose

In This Issue:

  • Engaging Stakeholders: “Removing roadblocks between inspiration and impact”
  • Illuminating Futures: Addressing energy poverty with Solar Buddy
  • Public Health in a Time of War: Supporting SAFEMed in Ukraine
  • The Extreme Challenge of Modern Slavery: Hope for Justice/Slave-Free Alliance