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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Consultation (10) Contracts (3) Corporate Governance (1) Employment/Labor (4) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (4) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (1) Regulatory (3) Research (1) Risk Management (1) Tax (4) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (3)

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Red de Impacto LATAM

Provide Strategy Consultation on Entity Formation

Summary:

Advise the largest network of Impact Entrepreneurial Support Organizations in Latin America on potential entity structures in the US.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Red de Impacto LATAM is Latin America’s largest network of Impact Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs). Today, they have over 150 member organizations (incubators, accelerators, investors, ecosystem builders, etc.) that have joined forced to advance and support social and environmental causes throughout the region.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

RED de Impacto LATAM is currently under fiscal sponsorship and would like to become an independent entity. They are considering becoming a non-profit membership organization but are seeking a strategy consultation to discuss what structure best meets their needs.

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Justice 4 Housing

Revise Template Independent Contractor Agreement

Summary:

Assist a non-profit working to end housing discrimination and homelessness among individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration by reviewing and updating the organization’s template Independent Contractor agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for justice involved individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Justice 4 Housing team is seeking assistance reviewing their template Independent Contractor agreement to ensure it adequately protects their needs.

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Justice 4 Housing

Trademark Logo and Brand

Summary:

Assist a non-profit working to end housing discrimination and homelessness among individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration by registering a trademark for its logo and brand.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for justice involved individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Justice 4 Housing is seeking assistance trademarking its logo and brand.

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Pathos Labs

Review Contract/Advise on Potential Refund

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit working with tv show writers by advising of the possibility of receiving a refund under certain contract terms.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Pathos Labs is a nonprofit laboratory focused on finding ways in which media and entertainment can accelerate compassion and dismantle hatred. Their largest current initiative is Popshift, which brings together some of Hollywood’s leading television writers and some of the world’s most insightful experts, to find ways in which their television shows can have a positive impact.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

Due to the pandemic, Pathos Labs spent a substantial amount of money on a subscription for a virtual event platform. The platform was created by a relatively new startup and unfortunately has serious bugs that have made it unusable. Pathos Labs requested, but did not receive, a refund. They are now seeking assistance from an attorney to review the contract and consider if there is a case for them to get their money back.

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Farhana Huq (individual; founder of Brown Girl Surf)

Consultation on Ownership and Potential Transfer of Trademark

Summary:

Provide a consultation on trademark ownership and rights to the co-founder of a social enterprise committed to expanding surf culture, cultivating community and taking care of the planet.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: US (CA)
About the Organization: Farhana Huq founded Brown Girl Surf in 2011. The organization’s mission is to create a more diverse, environmentally reverent, and joyful women’s, girl’s and gender expansive surf culture by increasing access to surfing, cultivating community, amplifying the voices of surfers of color, and taking care of the earth. She stepped away from her role as Executive Director of Brown Girl Surf in 2016 to pursue another venture, and now acts as an advisor and volunteer.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
  • Visit Farhana Huq (individual; founder of Brown Girl Surf)
SDG(s):Climate Action, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Farhana put a great deal of her personal money and labor into starting and growing Brown Girl Surf and has owned the organization’s trademark since inception. Since leaving Brown Girl Surf, she has licensed the trademark back to the organization for a nominal amount. The most recent licensing agreement lapsed in 2019, but Brown Girl Surf has continued using the mark. Farhana is now seeking a consultation to discuss what rights she has to the mark, and what the process would look like if she transferred all rights to the current entity.

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The Education Trust

Consultation on Employee Unionization

Summary:

Advise nonprofit working to improve education opportunities for low income students on considerations in the event employees unionize.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Education Trust (Ed Trust) advocates for the high academic achievement of all students, particularly those of color or living in poverty. They work with educators, policymakers, parents, and community leaders across the country to transform schools into institutions that serve all students well.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Ed Trust is seeking a consultation to discuss factors to consider if their employees decide to unionize.

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The Education Trust

Review FMLA and Parental Leave Approval Processes

Summary:

Review FMLA and parental leave approval processes on behalf of a nonprofit advocating for high academic achievement for all students.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: The Education Trust (Ed Trust) advocates for the high academic achievement of all students, particularly those of color or living in poverty. They work with educators, policymakers, parents, and community leaders across the country to transform schools into institutions that serve all students well.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Ed Trust is seeking assistance reviewing their FMLA and parental leave approval processes, related communications, and documentation practices.

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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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