Sustainable Cities and Communities

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If you are interested in a matter, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Isis Bous and Allison Laubach through the “Ask About This Matter” button on the details page or directly (ibous@lexmundiprobono.org; alaubach@lexmundiprobono.org) and let us know which project(s) interests you. We will place matches with Lex Mundi member firms on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can view all matter summaries on the “Digest” page(s). To view matters by legal need, select the category of interest. See details of individual matters via the “Read More” link in a matter. To view all details of all available matters, choose “View All”.

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Consultation (10) Contracts (3) Corporate Governance (1) Employment/Labor (4) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (4) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (1) Regulatory (3) Research (1) Risk Management (1) Tax (4) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (3)

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Taproot Earth

Consultation on Charitable Status “Tipping” and “Unusual Gifts” Exemption

Summary:

Urgent – Assist a nonprofit advancing climate justice by providing a comprehensive consultation on avoiding charitable status “tipping” and the “unusual gifts” exemption.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Taproot is non-profit committed to building power and cultivating solutions among frontline communities advancing climate justice and democracy. They advance climate solutions through movement-building, law & policy strategies, global climate reparations, and equitable disaster recovery.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Taproot Earth worked with a Lex Mundi firm to establish charitable status earlier this year. Now, they are seeking guidance on receiving large gifts while avoiding charitable status “tipping,” as well as the “unusual gifts” exemption. There is some time sensitivity, as they will be receiving certain gifts in October.

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Justice 4 Housing

Revise Template Independent Contractor Agreement

Summary:

Assist a non-profit working to end housing discrimination and homelessness among individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration by reviewing and updating the organization’s template Independent Contractor agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for justice involved individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Justice 4 Housing team is seeking assistance reviewing their template Independent Contractor agreement to ensure it adequately protects their needs.

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Justice 4 Housing

Trademark Logo and Brand

Summary:

Assist a non-profit working to end housing discrimination and homelessness among individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration by registering a trademark for its logo and brand.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for justice involved individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Justice 4 Housing is seeking assistance trademarking its logo and brand.

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Farhana Huq (individual; founder of Brown Girl Surf)

Consultation on Ownership and Potential Transfer of Trademark

Summary:

Provide a consultation on trademark ownership and rights to the co-founder of a social enterprise committed to expanding surf culture, cultivating community and taking care of the planet.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US (CA)
About the Organization: Farhana Huq founded Brown Girl Surf in 2011. The organization’s mission is to create a more diverse, environmentally reverent, and joyful women’s, girl’s and gender expansive surf culture by increasing access to surfing, cultivating community, amplifying the voices of surfers of color, and taking care of the earth. She stepped away from her role as Executive Director of Brown Girl Surf in 2016 to pursue another venture, and now acts as an advisor and volunteer.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
  • Visit Farhana Huq (individual; founder of Brown Girl Surf)
SDG(s):Climate Action, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Farhana put a great deal of her personal money and labor into starting and growing Brown Girl Surf and has owned the organization’s trademark since inception. Since leaving Brown Girl Surf, she has licensed the trademark back to the organization for a nominal amount. The most recent licensing agreement lapsed in 2019, but Brown Girl Surf has continued using the mark. Farhana is now seeking a consultation to discuss what rights she has to the mark, and what the process would look like if she transferred all rights to the current entity.

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