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Decent Work and Economic Growth

Please Treat the Information in the Digest as Confidential. Do Not Circulate Outside of the Lex Mundi Network.

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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Inkomoko

Compliance and Legal Review for Organizational Transition

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs (primarily refugees) by ensuring their registrations, name changes, and required filings were correctly handled when moving from CA to WA.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US (WA state)
About the Organization: Inkomoko provides training, consulting, and access to finance to support entrepreneurs – mostly refugees – to start and grow small businesses. Having served more than 100,000 clients with staff in offices in Chad, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan, they are the largest lender to refugees and displaced persons in Africa.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Inkomoko was originally registered in California but has since rebranded and moved its headquarters to Washington State; however, the organization has no US based staff. They are seeking a compliance “health check” to confirm that their registrations, name changes, and required filings were correctly handled during the transition. They would also love legal support to review their organization to ensure continued compliance and risk mitigation in light of possible scrutiny by the current administration.

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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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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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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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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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