Partnerships to achieve the Goals

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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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Chainless Change

Advise on Limiting Liability/Draft Waivers and Consents

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit supporting justice-impacted individuals by advising on limiting liability and drafting the appropriate waivers and consents for their mobile unit (operates in FL).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: FL
About the Organization: Chainless Change is a Florida-based nonprofit that supports justice-impacted individuals through reentry, harm reduction and community based services. They have three primary aims: (i) be culturally responsive to the ever-evolving needs of individuals impacted by both the criminal legal system and behavioral health conditions; (ii) act as a recovery community; and (iii) challenge the inequities and injustices of the criminal legal system through advocacy and action.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

About a year and a half ago, Chainless Change launched their OUTfits Mobile Unit.  OUTfits is an RV that has been converted into a community closet that distributes clothing, hygiene items, and harm reduction supplies and connects people to longer-term support through referrals. Many of the people they support are unhoused individuals and some struggle with substance abuse.

The Chainless Change team wants to ensure they are protecting the organization, limiting liability, and obtaining appropriate consents when operating the unit. They currently have three primary areas of concern. They would like to: (i) limit liability when people enter the RV; (ii) ensure they have appropriate permission to take photos/videos of participants; and (iii) have the appropriate consents in place to share data/personal information with third parties including for research purposes and for referrals to third party agencies/support. They would appreciate a comprehensive consultation with an attorney to: (i) identify if there are any other risks they should be aware of when operating this unit; (ii) advise on how best to protect themselves; (iii) and confirm what types of waivers and consents are required.

They would also appreciate assistance in drafting the appropriate waivers and consents. Ideally, because they are supporting unhoused individuals who are already dealing with a lot of paperwork, they would like to create a single streamlined form (if possible). If the attorney does not have the expertise to address every area identified above, assistance drafting the waiver/consents for any many areas as they are able to would be greatly appreciated.

Because the unit is already in operation, the Chainless Change team would appreciate support as soon as reasonably possible.

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Anonymous Client

Guidance on Becoming a Pro Bono Legal Service Provider in New York

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit supporting marginalized LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers by advising on the requirements to become a non-profit legal service provider in New York.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: NY
About the Organization: “Anonymous Client” or “Client” is a nonprofit organization that serves the most marginalized LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers through free direct legal services, while simultaneously changing the legal landscape nationwide through legislative drafting, public education, and professional education.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
  • Visit Anonymous Client
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Client is a 501c3, founded in NJ and primarily operating in NY. They have filed all IRS, NJ, and NY tax forms and charitable organization registration forms annually since inception without issue. Client began accepting tax-deductible donations and providing pro bono legal support in 2019, with a docket of around 35 open cases at a time.  They were recently awarded a major grant from NYC and want to ensure they have filed all the appropriate documents as a non-profit legal services provider in the state of New York.

They just discovered that exemption from Judiciary Law – JUD § 495 under Section 495(7) on the basis of representing indigent clients has additional requirements under Section 496 of which they were not aware when they initially incorporated. Namely, Section 496 requires “filing with the Appellate Division.”

Client contacted the Appellate Division, but they were unable to provide clarity on what or how to file. Client is now seeking guidance from a knowledgeable pro bono attorney to understand: (i) what may be the consequences, if any, for not having done so and (ii) how to rectify this oversight as expediently as possible.

 

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Maryland READS

Consultation Around Fiscal Sponsorship

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit addressing the literacy crisis in Maryland by providing a consultation to answer questions around fiscal sponsorship.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Maryland READS is a nonprofit working to address the state’s literacy crisis. They are accomplishing this goal by improving instruction, advancing reading ecosystems, and addressing barriers to reading proficiency.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Maryland Reads plans to serve as a fiscal sponsor for one of their local partnerships. They have spoken with peer organizations that have served as fiscal sponsors and have done some background research on their own (their Executive Director is an attorney). Now, they are seeking a consultation with an attorney to ask discrete questions about becoming a fiscal sponsor and to discuss what major considerations they should take into account before moving forward.

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True Foundry

Novation Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit helping African founders create dignified jobs by drafting a novation agreement and new template loan agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (incorporated in Maryland)
About the Organization: True Foundry incubates and invests in African founders to build profitable businesses that provide dignified jobs in Africa. Their theory of change: if early-stage African founders are given long term access to capacity building (coaching + training + talent) and catalytic capital, then jobs will be created at an accelerated scale, and more importantly be sustained by profitably run businesses.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The True Foundry team is seeking assistance drafting a Novation Agreement. They would like to transition existing investor loans, originally made directly to portfolio companies before their 501(c)(3)(which is incorporated in MD) was established, so that True Foundry becomes the borrower and can pool risk within their micro-fund.

This transition is at the behest of the investors and they are eager for the new arrangement. Many of the investors are in the U.S., while the portfolio companies are primarily based in Ghana. The original loan agreements state the governing law is Ghana. But the True Foundry team understands the attorney will be speaking from the US perspective.

The True Foundry team would then appreciate assistance restructuring the loans and drafting the new template loan documents for True Foundry to loan the money from their micro-fund to their portfolio companies.

Finally, after novating their loans to True Foundry, some investors have indicated that they would like to forgive the debt for tax deductions. The True Foundry team is seeking guidance on the steps to do this, as well as assistance drafting the necessary documentation.

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Disaster Accountability Project

Organization Name Change

Summary:

Support a Maryland nonprofit improving equity in disaster relief by assisting with an organization name change.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: Maryland
About the Organization: Disaster Accountability Project improves effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Its SmartResponse platform is working to advance localization in humanitarian sector by curating localized “how to help” lists to help donors, and all stakeholders, more easily identify, engage, and directly support local NGOs and last-mile organizations around the world.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Disaster Accountability Project is a nonprofit incorporated in Maryland. Given feedback from donors, they plan to change their name from Disaster Accountability Project to SmartResponse. They would like to keep Disaster Accountability Project and DAP as a DBA. SmartResponse is the name of their lead program, and they already have it trademarked.

They are now seeking guidance from an attorney on what documents they must complete/steps they must take (both on the state and federal level) to make this name change. Ultimately, if possible, they would appreciate assistance implementing the name change itself. However, this is secondary request. The Founder/Executive Director is a Maryland attorney and can assist as needed.

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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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