Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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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 (5) Contracts (4) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (4) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (5) Nonprofit Governance (1) Real Estate (1) Regulatory (3) Research (2) Risk Management (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (7) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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Catalyst Now

Review Privacy Policy and/or Terms & Conditions

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit uniting social innovators to advance the UN Sustainable Development goals by reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website and/or drafting the Terms & Conditions for their membership application.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Catalyst Now (formerly Catalyst 2030) is a dynamic global movement of social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide. They unite social innovators, social entrepreneurs, civic society, funders, private sector leaders, academia, and governments to create lasting systemic change through collaborative action.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
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, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Catalyst Now was a program under a Dutch nonprofit for many years and has recently become an independent 501(c)(3) in the United States.

They are now seeking assistance reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website (which also covers signing up for their newsletter) to ensure that it complies with U.S. law. While the non-profit is based in the United States, users will be from all over the world. They would also appreciate guidance/assistance on best practices for ensuring compliance for a global audience.

The website also includes a call to action for organizations to become a member of the Catalyst Now network. This leads to a multi-step application form. The Catalyst Now team is also seeking assistance drafting the Terms & Conditions associated with the member application process.

If an attorney cannot assist with both pieces, assistance with either would be greatly appreciated.

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Beyond the Bars

Consultation on Risk Mitigation/Document Retention Practices

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit worker center supporting individuals with criminal records by providing a consultation to discuss risk mitigation in the current political climate and document retention practices (incorporated in Florida).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Beyond the Bars is a worker center in South Florida building the social and economic power of workers with criminal records and their families to challenge the central role of criminalization in the economy. Through organizing, advocacy, education, research, support, and cross-movement solidarity, they fight for a just and thriving future.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

The Beyond the Bars team has concerns around recent executive orders targeting foundations. They are seeking a consultation with an attorney to discuss steps they can take to protect themselves and mitigate risks in this current political environment. Importantly, they are seeking advice on best practices for document retention policies, guidance on proper steps to update/formalize their current policies, and guidance on how long they are legally required to keep digital communications. Beyond the Bars is incorporated in Florida.

If the attorney is able to assist with updating/drafting the policies themselves, that would we greatly appreciated. However, this is a secondary request.

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Right to Be

IP Consultation On How to Protect Methodology

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit fighting harassment and discrimination by providing an IP consultation to discuss how best to protect their bystander intervention methodology.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Right to Be is a nonprofit working to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Right to Be has developed a bystander intervention methodology known as “The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention.” It has gained notoriety in recent years, and several organizations have used the methodology without proper credit. The Right to Be team also has several major upcoming projects based on the methodology.

The Right to Be team is now seeking a consultation with an IP attorney to discuss how best to protect their methodology going forward. They are planning to register a trademark for the name, have some underlying materials copyrighted, and have some IP protections included in their template contracts. They are seeking guidance from an attorney to confirm they’ve adequately covered all possible avenues of IP protection.

Should the attorney recommend any additional protections, the Right to Be team would appreciate assistance with the implementation/filings. However, this is a secondary request.

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Sozo Impact Inc.

Employment/Labor Law Consultation Involving Independent Contractors

Summary:

Assist an international contemporary arts agency and incubator by providing a consultation on their employment practices and treatment of artists as independent contractors.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Sozo Impact Inc. (SOZO) is an international contemporary arts agency and incubator at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and culture. Their portfolio of trailblazing artistic productions, experiences, and educational initiatives implements holistic approaches that cultivate equitable and liberatory creative ecosystems.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

SOZO is registered as a nonprofit in California and works with artists both in the state and around the world. In many instances, they are serving as general managers for artists, and other times, as creative producers for artists to develop new work across mediums including music, dance, mixed reality technologies and installations. They treat many of these artists as independent contractors. The SOZO team is seeking a consultation with an employment/labor law attorney familiar with performing arts industry to: (i) review their current practices; (ii) help identify any risks (particularly under CA Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5)); (iii) and provide guidance on when they need workers compensation and other insurance coverages that covers these artists.

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Platform for Labour Action International

Draft Affiliation Agreement

Summary:

Assist an organization working to provide legal aid to marginalized workers in Uganda by drafting an affiliation agreement between their U.S. and Ugandan entities.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: United States (Ugandan review will be addressed separately)
About the Organization: Platform for Labor Action (PLA) is a well-established Ugandan organization dedicated to providing legal aid to marginalized workers earning under $160/month and stopping child labour. In 2023, Platform for Labour Action International was established in the United States to support PLA’s mission through research, future fundraising, and expanded operations.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Platform for Labor Action (PLA) is a well-established Ugandan organization dedicated to providing legal aid to marginalized workers earning under $160/month and stopping child labor. In 2023, PLA International was established in the United States to support PLA’s mission through research, future fundraising, and expanded operations, specifically as a U.S. 501(c)(3) entity.

The PLA team is seeking assistance drafting an affiliation agreement between the U.S. and Ugandan entities to formalize the relationship, clarify roles, and establish proper governance and funding protocols. This agreement is crucial for ensuring PLA International maintains its 501(c)(3) status, particularly regarding IRS compliance, fundraising regulations, international grantmaking protocols, and organizational governance, including proper documentation of fund transfers, OFAC compliance, and intellectual property provisions.

 

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Edovo Foundation

Update Content Guidelines

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit providing a free digital learning platform to incarcerated individuals by updating their content guidelines and advising on their ability to reject objectionable content.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Edovo is a tech nonprofit that delivers a free digital learning platform to over 1 million incarcerated people each day. With educational, vocational, legal, and treatment/wellness resources they ensure that opportunity is available to all, not just the 18% that traditionally had access to programming inside.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Edovo seeks legal assistance to develop clear internal guidelines and external messaging regarding the acceptance and rejection of faith-based digital content submissions. They currently receive numerous content partnership requests from religious organizations, ranging from sermons to faith-based educational programs. While they continue to support a diversity of religious and non-religious content, they routinely encounter submissions that promote discriminatory views, including anti-LGBTQ and anti-women rhetoric, which violate their content policies and potentially state anti-discrimination laws.

They are looking for legal guidance to:

  • Refine or redraft their current Content guidelines;
  • Draft language that affirms their commitment to inclusivity and compliance with anti-discrimination standards;
  • Define their rights and discretion as a private nonprofit platform in moderating or declining objectionable content;
  • Reduce the risk of legal exposure or reputational harm in response to potential claims of religious discrimination or bias, particularly given their platform’s prominence in the carceral education space.

The ideal partner will help Edovo balance their content moderation principles with First Amendment considerations and applicable anti-discrimination laws, providing practical, legally sound documentation for internal and external use.

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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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