Good Health and Well Being

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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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Consultation (3) Contracts (3) Corporate Governance (1) Employment/Labor (2) Intellectual Property (1) Nonprofit Formation (2) Nonprofit Governance (4) Regulatory (2) Research (1) Risk Management (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (2) Visa/Immigration (1)

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The Self Investigation

Advise on Limiting Liability

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit transforming mental health in the media industry by advising on how to limit their liability in the event their consultants are harmed or otherwise injured as a result of their work.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Self-Investigation is a non-profit transforming mental health in the media industry. They help media professionals prevent burnout, navigate digital risks, and integrate mental health into their work—fostering a resilient media ecosystem to improve public discourse and strengthen democracies.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being
Legal Issue(s):

The Self Investigation is being retained by a company in Washington, DC called Reach Media to hire U.S.-based consultants to serve as trainers, psychologists, and mental health coaches for an Iranian television station. This station broadcasts factual news both inside and outside Iran and is run by Iranian journalists in exile in the US and UK. Despite being apolitical, the organization has become a target of agents of the Iranian government. Anyone who works with this station in any capacity could be at risk of physical harm.

The Self Investigation is seeking guidance on: (i) what their liability is under U.S. law should one of their consultants be attacked or otherwise harmed; and (ii) steps they can take to protect themselves (e.g., shift liability to Reach Media). The consultants and Reach Media will sign The Self Investigation’s template “Consultant” and “Vendor” contracts. They would appreciate assistance updating these templates should it become necessary.

The Self Investigation is registered as a non-profit foundation in the Netherlands, and the contracts are governed by Dutch law. They are simultaneously receiving assistance in the Netherlands and understand the attorney would be speaking from the US perspective.

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Namati Moçambique

Establish 501(c)(3) and/or Draft Operating Agreement

Summary:

Assist an organization providing healthcare for women and children across Mozambique by helping to establishing a 501(c)(3) and/or draft an operating agreement (considering incorporate in CT or DE but open to suggestions).

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: Considering Incorporating in DE or CT (open to suggestions)
About the Organization: When people don’t feel safe and respected, they forgo healthcare – even when that care is lifesaving. No one should have to choose between their health and their dignity. Namati Moçambique builds community power, trains and supports health workers, and drives systemic change to make dignified, patient-centered care a reality for women and children across Mozambique – work that has reached 3.4 million people since 2013.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

After operating for thirteen years as part of Namati global (their US-based affiliate), Namati Moçambique is spinning off as a fully independent organization and needs to set up a US entity to: (i) receive tax-deductible donations from US donors; (ii) re-grant funds to their Mozambican operations; (iii) employ one US-based staff and 1-2 consultants; and (iv) pay for occasional US-based services/vendors.

They will draft their own bylaws for a US friends-of type entity and an operating agreement between the US and Mozambican organizations, and are seeking an attorney to review both documents and provide guidance on the 501(c)(3) application process prior to submission. The Namati Moçambique team is considering incorporating either in Connecticut or in Delaware, but they are open to other suggestions from the volunteer attorney. If an attorney cannot assist with all portions of the project above, assistance with any discrete piece would be greatly appreciated.

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Grassland Cameroon

Assist with 1023 Filing and Governance Documents

Summary:

Assist a Georgia nonprofit supporting female smallholder farmers in Cameroon with their Form 1023 filing and governance policies/documents (work was begun and largely completed by a pro bono attorney but needs to be reviewed and finalized).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (Georgia Nonprofit)
About the Organization: Grassland Cameroon is a social enterprise that produces cornmeal porridge sourced from female smallholder farmers in Cameroon, whom they finance with farm inputs each planting season.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being
Legal Issue(s):

In 2024, Grassland Cameroon formed a separate U.S. entity called Farm to Thrive, a Georgia nonprofit corporation.  Farm to Thrive is in the process of completing its Form 1023, but the 1023 needs to be finalized and filed with the IRS.  Corporate governance policies and documents have also been drafted for Farm to Thrive by attorneys but need to be reviewed and finalized. The work was started (and largely completed) by Lex Mundi attorneys who have transitioned from their firm. The organization now just needs help getting across the finish line.

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Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL)

Consultation on Transit Visa

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit working to solve the sanitation crisis in Haiti by providing a consultation on obtaining a transit visa (individual is Haitian, living in Indonesia, and returning to Haiti).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: NA
About the Organization: SOIL is a non-profit research and development organization working in Haiti to design, test, and implement sustainable and equitable solutions to the sanitation crisis. Their mission is to ensure safe, dignified, and sustainable sanitation in urban Haiti, creating a model for urban sanitation which is replicable in Haiti and globally.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

In October, SOIL hired an IT manager who is Haitian but living in Indonesia with his family. SOIL has been trying for 5 months to support him in getting back to Haiti with his family so that he can work from the office. However, they have hit up against transit visa hurdles at every step. They are seeking guidance from a business immigration expert who might be able to advise on best next steps. So far, he has experienced issues traveling through Spain and Cuba and hasn’t found another route.

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