Climate Action

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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.

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Advocacy/Legislation (1) Consultation (11) Contracts (4) Corporate Governance (2) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (1) Intellectual Property (4) Nonprofit Governance (4) Regulatory (2) Research (1) Risk Management (1) Tax (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (7) Visa/Immigration (1) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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Think Equal

Consultation on Transferring Funding From 501(c)(3)

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit teaching social and emotional learning to children globally by providing a consultation on the implications of moving their funding from their 501(c)(3) to their UK entity.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Think Equal is a global initiative which calls for a system change in education, to end the discriminatory mindset and the cycle of violence across our world and ensure positive life outcomes for our children. Together with world experts, Think Equal has designed a program to teach social and emotional learning to early years (3-6-year-olds). They work with governments, policymakers and school networks to adopt, and ideally mandate, this program as a new subject from the age of 3.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Think Equal has a 501(c)(3) and is also a UK-registered charity. Currently, all global projects (excluding those based in the UK) are housed and funded under the 501(c)(3). Given the current political climate, Think Equal has now decided to move their funds from the U.S. to the UK. Going forward, the U.K. entity will be the paying agent for all projects (including those in the U.S.). They have received guidance from an attorney in the UK, and the funds will be transferred in late December. However, Think Equal would appreciate a consultation with a U.S. attorney to discuss the implications of making this change from a U.S. perspective and any red flags they should be aware of going forward.

 

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African Leadership University

Visa Consultation and Review of Letter of Invitation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit that supports African students by providing a consultation to address discrete visa questions and reviewing a Letter of Invitation.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: African Leadership University (“ALU”) is a pan-African university with campuses in Rwanda and Mauritius and students from 50 African countries. They believe that young people hold the potential to become the ethical, entrepreneurial leaders that Africa and the planet need. Their role is to unlock that potential through a one-of-a-kind learning experience that gives students the foundation for a lifetime of leading positive change.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

As part of their programming, African Leadership University (“ALU”) brings cohorts of their students from across Africa to Silicon Valley for a transformative, month-long leadership and entrepreneurship immersion program at the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford University.

Because this is a short, non-degree, professional exposure program, their students apply exclusively for B-1/B-2 visitor visas. In 2025, the students applied for their visas a few weeks after the inauguration and only 32% were approved (in past years, they have had anywhere from 60-100% approval).

The ALU team is now seeking a consultation with an immigration attorney to ask a handful of discrete questions (e.g., what eligibility criteria might ALU introduce to improve visa outcomes?). These questions and additional background information can be provided upon request. They would also appreciate assistance reviewing and updating their Letter of Invitation.

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WINGI Inc.

Trademark Consultation

Summary:

Assist an organization simplifying supply chains and financing for African SMEs by providing a trademark consultation.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Wingi is a pan-Africa social enterprise dedicated to simplifying cross-border supply chains and financing for African SMEs. WINGI enables African entrepreneurs to grow more efficiently by removing supply chain hassle, reducing sourcing costs, and accessing vetted manufacturers. They primarily work with growing social enterprises and women-led businesses.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption and Production
Legal Issue(s):

WINGI worked with an attorney in the United States on a paid basis to file a trademark application in 2021. They received a notice from the USPTO in January of 2023 stating that their application was suspended because there was a pending application with an earlier filing date. The examiner noted that in the event the mark registers, there may be a likelihood of confusion. A search of the trademark database shows that as of June 2025 the trademark is still suspended. They are now seeking a pro bono consultation with an attorney to better understand what their options are given this response, and any next steps they can take.

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Climate Vault Solutions, Inc.

Consultation on Structuring Program for Hybrid Entity

Summary:

Assist a hybrid entity harnessing the power of carbon markets by providing a consultation on structuring a program between the for-profit and nonprofit entities.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Climate Vault is a social enterprise dedicated to averting the damages of climate change by harnessing the power of carbon markets to fund measurable climate solutions. Founded by Michael Greenstone, President Obama’s former Chief Economist, Climate Vault has partnered with more than 50 enterprises to measure and neutralize their carbon footprints—raising capital that has already averted over $300 million in climate damages through the retirement of government-regulated emissions allowances and investment in a portfolio of high-impact, science-based climate projects.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Climate Action
Legal Issue(s):

Climate Vault (nonprofit) and Climate Vault Solutions (for-profit) operate as an integrated dual-entity structure pursuing complementary climate-market activities. The nonprofit focuses on mission delivery and donor transparency; the affiliated for-profit provides fundraising services under an existing Professional Fundraising Agreement.

The Climate Vault Solutions team is now seeking a comprehensive consultation with an attorney (ideally with experience with hybrid structures, related-party transactions, and IRS § 4958 compliance) to advise on a new program in which the for-profit may assist the nonprofit in sourcing and contracting carbon-credit projects for a climate fund managed by the nonprofit. Ultimately, they would appreciate guidance on how to structure this activity in a transparent, legally sound/IRS-compliant way that ensures fair-market-value compensation and clear role separation between entities.

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RADIKAL

Advise on Protecting Intellectual Property

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise empowering women in Haiti through micro finance and business development by advising on how best to protect their intellectual property.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: RADIKAL is a social enterprise empowering women in Haiti through micro finance and business development.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Responsible Consumption and Production, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

RADIKAL is seeking a strategy consultation with an attorney in the United States to discuss how best to protect their intellectual property. They are considering: (i) trademarking their brands/logos/taglines; (ii) registering copyrights for their software and technical drawings; and (iii) pursuing trade secret protection for certain internal processes and systems. The RADIKAL team would like to better understand: (i) how to prioritize protecting their IP; (ii) whether the protections listed above are possible/appropriate; (iii) and to discuss the best path forward.

Ultimately, should they move forward, assistance with any of the registrations would be greatly appreciated. But this is a secondary request.

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Sozo Impact Inc.

Employment/Labor Law Consultation Involving Independent Contractors

Summary:

Assist an international contemporary arts agency and incubator by providing a consultation on their employment practices and treatment of artists as independent contractors.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Sozo Impact Inc. (SOZO) is an international contemporary arts agency and incubator at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and culture. Their portfolio of trailblazing artistic productions, experiences, and educational initiatives implements holistic approaches that cultivate equitable and liberatory creative ecosystems.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

SOZO is registered as a nonprofit in California and works with artists both in the state and around the world. In many instances, they are serving as general managers for artists, and other times, as creative producers for artists to develop new work across mediums including music, dance, mixed reality technologies and installations. They treat many of these artists as independent contractors. The SOZO team is seeking a consultation with an employment/labor law attorney familiar with performing arts industry to: (i) review their current practices; (ii) help identify any risks (particularly under CA Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5)); (iii) and provide guidance on when they need workers compensation and other insurance coverages that covers these artists.

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Land Use Atlas, Inc.

Research on Zoning Laws

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit democratizing information hidden within zoning codes by conducting research on zoning laws.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: All States Except (CT, GA, HI, ME, NH, PA, RI)
About the Organization: Land Use Atlas is a nonprofit working to digitize, demystify, and democratize information currently hidden within zoning codes. Their flagship project, the National Zoning Atlas (NZA), is a multi-institutional research collaboration centralizing data about zoning – the most important power of American local government, and the little-understood force shaping our lives. Their online interactive map exposes how thousands of communities use zoning – long a tool for racial and economic segregation – to shape housing choices, health outcomes, transportation patterns, environmental degradation, and climate response, among other things.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Land Use Atlas team is seeking volunteers to research/contribute information about whether jurisdictions have zoning. The volunteers will review jurisdictions’ websites and ordinances, contact jurisdictions when needed (including submitting public information requests), identify the existence of zoning codes, and extract zoning codes. The President of Land Use Atlas is an attorney and a professor at Cornell Law School. The Land Use Atlas team will provide detailed written instructions and guidance. They are also available to facilitate webinar trainings for groups of volunteers.

 

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