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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.

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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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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Fugees Family Inc.

Formation and Structure for VR Literacy and Training Platform

Summary:

Help launch an innovative literacy education platform by advising on for-profit entity formation and (optionally) developing inter-organizational agreements to ensure proper alignment between mission-driven and commercial interests.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Fugees Family is a national non-profit organization committed to advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth. They are on a mission to build upon their proven whole school model by partnering with public school districts and charter networks to design and support newcomer programs that get results
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

A new application being developed by the nonprofit Fugees Family called ReadQuest is being developed to transform reading education by combining the science of reading with immersive technology. The team seeks a legal consultation to identify all necessary steps to establish a new entity for the platform which will offer AI-powered virtual reality tools for student literacy and teacher training. They need guidance on entity formation including determining the best entity type for the organization. The would also great appreciate assistance structuring and drafting agreements between the new for-profit entity, the existing nonprofit organization, and the software development company responsible for building the technology, but these are secondary requests and not required for engagement.

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Pathos Labs

Name Search and Trademark Consultation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit rebranding by conducting a name search, advising on name availability, and, if appropriate, filing a new trademark registration.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Pathos Labs is a non-profit that exists to propel the world closer to one that is welcoming, tolerant, pluralistic and sustainable. To do that, they create projects targeting the most powerful force that shapes human behavior: our dominant cultural narratives
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

Following a prior trademark issue, a nonprofit organization is seeking legal assistance as they move through a rebranding process. They would appreciate a consultation to conduct a trademark search for potential new names to ensure availability and avoid future disputes. If a viable name is identified, they would also welcome support in preparing and filing a new trademark registration.

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Trust Cloak

Incorporation for Homeland Security Tech Startup

Summary:

Assist a Homeland Security Startup Studio team with incorporating a mission-driven tech company, ensuring ethical considerations are embedded.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Trust Cloak is to be a newly formed entity emerging from the current cohort of the Homeland Security Startup Studio, a Tech Transfer program. They are committed to using the to-be-acquired licensed technology, a video obfuscation software, for humane and ethical purposes
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
  • Visit Trust Cloak
SDG(s):Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

A startup emerging from the Homeland Security Startup Studio is seeking counsel to assist with incorporation as well as confirming that their chosen name is legally available. The co-founders are considering incorporation in either New York or Delaware but are open to advice. They want to ensure their mission and ethical values, centered around privacy, human rights, and data protection, are properly reflected in the founding documents and preserved for longevity. The organization is built around a government-created and licensed video obfuscation software intended for use in Smart Cities, Home Security, Retail Surveillance, and Law Enforcement.

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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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Buy-In Community Planning

ED Compensation During Budget Shortfall

Summary:

Provide legal advice to a California-based nonprofit on obligations and options related to temporarily reduced compensation for their Executive Director amid financial hardship.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: California, U.S.
About the Organization: The mission of Buy-In Community Planning is to support the well-being of people whose homes and communities are threatened by natural hazards by assisting them in planning for and relocating to safer areas. Using the power of geospatial data and participatory planning, they help communities design voluntary relocation assistance programs that are transparent, equitable, and environmentally restorative to ensure that no household is left in harm’s way.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Buy-In Community Planning, a nonprofit organization that supports communities facing climate-driven relocation is seeking advice from an employment/labor lawyer regarding their obligations to fulfill a previously approved salary for their Executive Director (ED). Due to cash flow issues, the ED—who is based in California—is currently receiving only half of their salary. The Board seeks legal counsel on their obligations under California labor law and potential strategies for managing or remedying this shortfall as it pertains to the ED’s compensation, in a way that complies with employment regulations and nonprofit governance best practices.

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Issue One

Structuring a PAC in Coordination with Existing c3 and c4 Entities

Summary:

Provide legal guidance on the formation and structuring of a PAC in relation to an existing c3 and c4, with specific consideration for donor segmentation, governance, list sharing, and compliance.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Issue One is a nonprofit organization that works to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our political system and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

Issue One, a national democracy reform organization committed to constitutional defense work and currently operating as a 501(c)(3) and a mostly dormant 501(c)(4), is exploring the formation of a political action committee (PAC) to advance its mission in the current political climate. The team is seeking legal advice on the structure and implications of forming a PAC, how it would interface with their existing c3 and c4 entities, and whether an alternative structure might be more effective given the increasing scrutiny of c3 and c4 models. Legal guidance is also sought for how best to structure donor programs and how a PAC, if created, could or should interact with these structures.

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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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