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Gender Equality

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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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Advocacy/Legislation (4) Consultation (11) Contracts (2) Corporate Formation (3) Corporate Governance (2) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (4) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (7) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (3) Regulatory (5) Research (3) Risk Management (3) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (12) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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Southwest Sovereign Solutions, LLC

Patent Consultation for Data Science Framework

Summary:

Indigenous-led organization is seeking legal guidance on the potential patentability of their proprietary ThriveMap framework.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: United States
About the Organization: Southwest Sovereign Solutions empowers clients to navigate complex environmental challenges with innovative and culturally sensitive approaches. They offer comprehensive expertise in climate adaptation planning, integrating cutting-edge science with the invaluable wisdom of Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
  • Visit Southwest Sovereign Solutions, LLC
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Southwest Sovereign Solutions, an Indigenous-led organization focused on climate adaptation planning, is seeking a consultation with an intellectual property attorney to assess the patentability of “ThriveMap”—a prototype data science framework designed to support Indigenous communities. The organization wishes to understand whether and how to patent the intellectual property behind this framework, which integrates advanced environmental science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to elevate human well-being through self-determination and tribal sovereignty.

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Parity Lab

IP Consult for Trauma-Informed Leadership Framework

Summary:

A Trauma-Informed Leadership social enterprise is seeking an intellectual property consultation to ensure their framework is properly protected. They are looking for guidance on trademarking the framework name and understanding whether their original content is eligible for copyright protection.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Parity Lab is a global social enterprise with a mission to end the cycle of gender-based violence through mental wellness and leadership development tools. They support individuals—especially women and men from historically marginalized communities—to heal from trauma, build leadership capacity, and drive change in their communities. Their approach combines trauma-informed mental wellness support, capacity building, and systems-level advocacy.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

A New Jersey–based global social enterprise working to end gender-based violence through trauma-informed leadership and mental wellness support is seeking legal guidance to protect its “Anchor Framework.” Specifically, they are looking for a consultation to understand the trademark process for the framework name, including what protections a trademark offers and how to implement it correctly. In addition, they seek clarity on whether elements of the framework—such as written guides, visuals, and training materials—are eligible for copyright protection, and whether formal copyright registration is advisable Their primary goal is to move forward with trademark registration and would also greatly appreciate support through the process, but this is a secondary request. Any pursuit of recommended copyright registration would also be secondary but 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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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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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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