Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

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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 (2) Consultation (9) Contracts (1) Corporate Formation (4) Corporate Governance (1) Employment/Labor (2) Finance/Fundraising (2) Intellectual Property (2) Nonprofit Formation (4) Nonprofit Governance (1) Real Estate (1) Research (2) Tax (5) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (4)

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The BOOM

Advise on Patentability of Technology

Summary:

Advise a nonprofit supporting disadvantaged teenagers on the patentability of its technology.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The BOOM is a nonprofit dedicated to growing engineering skills and economic opportunities for disadvantaged teenagers. In addition to teaching entrepreneurship, engineering, and economic skills, the organization invents technical solutions that enable marginalized communities to fabricate and market handmade electronic products.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Quality Education, Responsible Consumption and Production
Legal Issue(s):

BOOM engineers created a hardware component that makes it easier to assemble battery packs, which  lowers the barriers to product design and small-scale manufacturing. While it will be shared freely in the organization’s educational programming, the BOOM hopes to sell or license the component to raise funds for their educational activities. The technology was made public at the end of 2021, and a Lex Mundi member firm has already advised the BOOM on the basic requirements around obtaining a patent. Now, the BOOM team is seeking a consultation to determine whether their product is patentable. If possible, and subject to capacity, they would also appreciate assistance filing the patent itself. However, this is a secondary request.

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ShockTalk

Draft Template Agreements for Telehealth Providers and Users

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise developing a telemental health platform for the Indigenous community with its template agreements for healthcare providers and users.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: ShockTalk is a culturally tailored telemental health platform focused on creating culturally appropriate and financially sustainable relationships between Indigenous therapy seekers, and Indigenous mental healthcare providers.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The ShockTalk team is currently building a network of Indigenous therapists in New York state as part of their pilot program. They are seeking assistance drafting two template agreements, one for providers in the ShockTalk network, and another for users. Ideally, the templates will be used beyond the pilot. As background, the ShockTalk team will facilitate connections between users and vetted (but independent) healthcare providers. Services will be provided on/through the ShockTalk platform.

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Duo Development

Consultation on Entity Structure

Summary:

Assist an startup promoting ethical real estate practices by providing a consultation to answer discrete questions around their entity structure.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US (Chicago-based)
About the Organization: Duo Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating ethical real estate development that benefits society. Their offerings include three distinct services (i) strategy and design consulting; (ii) real estate development; and (iii) research ventures.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Duo Development is currently registered as a nonprofit in Illinois. However, they are seeking a consultation to explore the most appropriate legal structure for their organization given their three different offerings. For example, they’d like to develop a strategy around how they should think about the legal entities related to their real estate development projects. They are also considering turning the consulting arm of the organization into a for-profit entity and would like to understand the implications.

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Alaska Fellows Program

Tax Consultation

Summary:

Provide a tax consultation to an organization that connects young Alaskans with high-impact opportunities in the state.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S. (Alaska)
About the Organization: Alaska Fellows Program (AFP) is a fall-to-spring residential program that nurtures the next generation of Alaska-based leaders by pairing them with professional mentors and connecting them with non-profit or public-sector organizations for fellowships.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Alaska Fellows Program is a fiscally sponsored organization, currently in the process of establishing a 501c3. Their program participants are paired with non-profit and public-sector organizations and paid a modest living stiped. Because the program is not tied with an academic institution and geared towards young professionals/recent graduates (rather than current students), participants are currently paid as private contractors. However, the AFP team is seeking a consultation to discuss avenues/the possibility of making the stipend tax-free. In that same consultation, if possible, they would also appreciate assistance with a few discrete questions about the tax implications of purchasing cars/properties for use in connection with the program.

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