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Decent Work and Economic Growth

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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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Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation

Transition to Digital File Management

Summary:

Support a Pennsylvania nonprofit in securely transitioning to a fully digital file management system and navigating the appropriate response to a recent missing files incident.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology devices and services they want. PATF’s mission is to provide financing opportunities, education, and advocacy for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, helping them to acquire the assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

A Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that supports individuals in obtaining assistive technology is seeking legal support on two related matters concerning client file management.

Part 1: Digital Transition
The organization is transitioning from a hybrid paper-digital client file system to a fully digital one. They seek legal guidance to ensure this change complies with applicable laws regarding data privacy, consumer protection, and document retention/destruction. Their current digital retention policy was last reviewed approximately six years ago and they would appreciate assisting ensuring it is up to date.

Part 2: Missing Files Incident
Fifteen physical client files were recently misplaced and are presumed to have been accidentally discarded. There is no indication of theft or employee misconduct. The organization has since implemented enhanced security protocols but is unsure whether to notify affected individuals and offer identity theft protection. They are requesting legal advice on whether notification is required or advisable, and if so, how to appropriately draft that communication and manage associated risk.

If an attorney cannot assist with both projects, support on either would be greatly appreciated!

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Realign Education

Formation and Strategy for Hybrid Ed Org

Summary:

Provide advice on the structure of a hybrid-entity education initiative focused on transforming the U.S. education system by reshaping college admissions.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Realign Education aims to galvanize a movement in partnership with the K-16 ecosystem to challenge the dominant model of K-12 education in the United States, which has long failed to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of our children and nation.Their current focus is on reshaping the college admissions process, recognizing its outsized influence on K-12 education.
Legal Entity Type: Unregistered
  • Visit Realign Education
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

A new national initiative, Realign Education, is seeking legal consultation around forming two entities: a not-for-profit (Realign Education) and a for-profit (Realign Education AI). The initiative is designed to challenge the current K–12 education model by leveraging the influence of college admissions to drive systemic realignment in the education system. The organization would appreciate advice on the appropriate formation and structure of the nonprofit and for-profit entities, ensuring clarity on ownership interests for collaborators. They would also appreciate assistance ensuring the chosen name of the new organization is available for use, but this is a secondary request.

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Miller Center for Global Impact

Webinar on Navigating US Executive Actions

Summary:

Deliver a webinar on how social ventures and nonprofits can prepare for possible executive actions that may disrupt funding, international partnerships, and compliance for organizations working in climate, migration, or global justice.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Miller Center accelerates global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to humanity. Its strategic focus is on poverty eradication through its three areas of work: The Global Social Benefit Institute, Impact Capital, and Education and Action Research.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

We are seeking a volunteer to lead a webinar for social impact leaders on the potential legal and financial risks posed by anticipated U.S. executive actions. While none of the proposed measures are law yet, developments in U.S. policy circles indicate serious discussions around: (1) revoking tax-exempt status from organizations supporting or funding specified work; (2) banning cross-border donations; (3) labeling migrant aid groups as terror-affiliated; and (4) increasing IRS scrutiny on progressive or foreign-aligned donors. The webinar should help mission-driven organizations understand the legal implications and offer proactive steps to mitigate potential threats.

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Peer Defense Project

c3 Risk Mitigation Consultation

Summary:

Advise a youth-led nonprofit on mitigating risk to their 501(c)(3) status due to shifting legislative landscapes and explore alternative entity structure options if necessary.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Peer Defense Project is a youth-led, worker self-directed nonprofit which builds legal education, tools, and networks. Their website offers access to the Freedom Law School, the Help Desk, and the Power Legal Course.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):
Peer Defense Project, a youth-led, worker self-directed nonprofit that builds legal education, tools, and networks is seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney in light of recent legislative threats—specifically targeting organizations that support student protesters, migrant workers, and wage theft issues. The organization is concerned about the potential risks to their 501(c)(3) status and is seeking guidance on how to mitigate risk and ensure compliance and sustainability of their work. They would also like to explore whether forming an alternate entity structure (such as a B Corp) would be a viable strategy and, if so, would appreciate advice on incorporation options and best practices for structuring their organization to continue their mission-driven activities.
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NaTakallam

Independent Contractor Classification Review for Refugee-Led Language Services

Summary:

Help a social enterprise that hires refugees to assess the legal appropriateness of classifying workers as independent contractors and provide guidance on restructuring if needed.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: New York, United States
About the Organization: NaTakallam (“We Speak” in Arabic) is an award-winning, social enterprise that offers high-quality, curated language services delivered by refugees and conflict-affected communities through the digital economy.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

A New York-based social enterprise that hires refugees as independent contractors to teach languages and provide translation services is seeking legal guidance on worker classification. The organization is currently registered as an LLC and classifies all workers as independent contractors. They are seeking assistance in assessing whether this classification is legally appropriate under federal and New York state law. If it is not, they would appreciate strategic advice and guidance on how to shift their operations to ensure compliance, including potential reclassification, liability mitigation, and structural adjustments.

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Tatum Robotics

Terms and Privacy Policies for DeafBlind Comms Platform

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise serving the DeafBlind community by reviewing and finalizing their Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy ahead of a digital platform launch.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Tatum Robotics is a social enterprise with a focus on supporting the DeafBlind with access to news, educational pathways, messaging and more. To this end, they are developing a telecommunication and educational tool prioritizing their primary language, tactile sign.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Tatum Robotics, a social enterprise developing a telecommunication and educational tool for the DeafBlind community is seeking legal assistance to review and finalize its Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy ahead of or near to a planned product launch in July. Draft versions of both documents are already in place, and they would appreciate a legal review to ensure the documents are enforceable, accessible, and compliant with relevant data privacy regulations. If an attorney is unable to assist with both policies, support with either one would still be greatly appreciated.

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Ecodrive Inc

TOS and Long Term Service Agreement

Summary:

Assist an environmental and social impact marketplace by reviewing and optimizing their Terms of Service and developing a long term Service Agreement that ensures legal clarity, protects interests, and aligns with their pricing and commitment structure.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Ecodrive is a platform that allows companies to embed environmental action while driving business value. Their clients choose their impact in a project marketplace which has only high integrity and on-the-ground verified projects. They integrate across digital platforms to allow businesses to embed and automate their impact efforts into daily transactions in a tangible, transparent, and engaging way with their customers that in return, drives ROI.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Ecodrive, a platform that enables companies to embed environmental and social action while driving business value, is seeking legal assistance to draft/review and refine two key agreements related to their platform’s services:

  1. Terms of Service – Assess and optimize the existing Terms of Service, which includes the Service Agreement and Order Form. The platform currently allows participants to cancel at any time, and Ecodrive wants to ensure the agreement is clear, enforceable, and aligned with their business model.
  2. Long-Term Service – Develop a version of the Service Agreement tailored for longer-term commitments that provide discounted pricing in exchange for locked-in participation. This agreement should be based on the existing Terms of Service but adapted to reflect the obligations and expectations of a long term commitment.

If an attorney cannot assist with both projects, support on either would be greatly appreciated!

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Ecodrive Inc

Template Licensing Agreement for White Label Tech

Summary:

Assist an environmental and social impact marketplace in creating a template licensing agreement for their White Label Tech for Nonprofits.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Ecodrive is a platform that allows companies to embed environmental action while driving business value. Their clients choose their impact in a project marketplace which has only high integrity and on-the-ground verified projects. They integrate across digital platforms to allow businesses to embed and automate their impact efforts into daily transactions in a tangible, transparent, and engaging way with their customers that in return, drives ROI.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Ecodrive, a platform that enables companies to embed environmental and social action while driving business value, is seeking legal assistance in drafting a template licensing agreement for their White Label Tech for Nonprofits. This technology allows nonprofits to connect with corporate partners while providing marketing tools and transparency to meet corporate needs and drive revenue. The team would appreciate help creating an agreement that outlines terms for licensing the technology, ensuring clarity on usage rights, fees, and obligations for all parties involved.

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Advance Native Political Leadership

Ethics Matrix for Politician Participation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit designed to support newly elected Native officials by creating an ethics matrix to help them assess eligibility for participation.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: AZ, NM, MN, MT, WA, AK
About the Organization: Advance Native Political Leadership (Advance) is the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem of political power building in Native communities – leadership recruitment and support, civic engagement, research and data, leadership endorsements, and national and state coordination. Through their Native Leadership Institute, strategic partnerships, and research and data initiatives, they are building a powerful movement of Indigenous leadership to meet these challenges head-on.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Advance Native Political Leadership team is seeking assistance developing an ethics matrix to help them assess elected officials’ eligibility for participation in their Native Elected Leaders Network. This matrix should provide a top-level ethics review of elected officials based on state and office, ensuring alignment with ethics standards for public service. This matrix will help the Advance Native Political Leadership team identify which leaders they might be able to invite to upcoming trainings, convenings or gatherings, to ensure they can cover travel, accommodation, and meals for participants and, in some instances, provide small honorariums. They are seeking assistance in the following priority states: AZ, NM, MN, MT, WA, AK.

If an attorney cannot assist with every state, the Advance Native Political Leadership team would appreciate assistance with as many states as the attorney is comfortable handling.

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Consultation Corral

Draft Template MOU for Volunteers

Summary:

Assist a team that has developed an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time by drafting a template MOU for use with volunteers.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Corral is an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time. Their process automates the work of tribal governments and Native-led advocacy organizations to pull together Tribal Consultation opportunities. Corral is an open-government project geared at making Tribal Consultation communication and existing data work for tribal communities. Corral is available to staff and elected officials of Tribal Nations at no cost.
Legal Entity Type: Unregistered
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

The Consultation Corral team works with volunteers and advisors to develop the Corral platform. They are seeking assistance drafting a template MOU to use with future volunteers that set forth the terms of the relationship. Importantly, they’d like the agreement to address IP/data ownership and privacy concerns (e.g., certain information the volunteers access is confidential).

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SXD Inc.

Consultation on Fundraising Round

Summary:

Assist a social impact organization reducing waste in the fashion industry by providing a consultation on their next fundraising round.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: SXD is a New York design-tech startup charting a radical new standard: eliminate material waste with great design and bleeding-edge technology. The fashion and apparel industry wastes 92 million tons of fabric material every year. SXD’s mission is to bring such material waste down to zero while reducing CO2 emissions, preserving water, reducing material consumption, and empowering workers.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The SXD team plans to engage in a fundraising round for the first time since 2022. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation with an attorney to discuss what steps they need to take/what documentation they need to have in place before engaging in this fundraising round.

They still have the contracts/documentation from the last fundraising round (including the SAFE agreement) and plan to pull the information together themselves. Afterwards, they would greatly appreciate assistance reviewing the contracts/documentation to ensure that it complies with applicable law and covers their needs. However, this is a secondary request.

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