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Gender Equality

Please Treat the Information in the Digest as Confidential. Do Not Circulate Outside of the Lex Mundi Network.

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 (1) Consultation (12) Contracts (9) Corporate Governance (2) Data Privacy (1) Due Diligence (1) Employment/Labor (1) Finance/Fundraising (2) Intellectual Property (2) Nonprofit Formation (3) Nonprofit Governance (2) Regulatory (2) Research (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (15)

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Ecodrive Inc

TOS and Long Term Service Agreement

Summary:

Assist an environmental and social impact marketplace by reviewing and optimizing their Terms of Service and developing a long term Service Agreement that ensures legal clarity, protects interests, and aligns with their pricing and commitment structure.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Ecodrive is a platform that allows companies to embed environmental action while driving business value. Their clients choose their impact in a project marketplace which has only high integrity and on-the-ground verified projects. They integrate across digital platforms to allow businesses to embed and automate their impact efforts into daily transactions in a tangible, transparent, and engaging way with their customers that in return, drives ROI.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Ecodrive, a platform that enables companies to embed environmental and social action while driving business value, is seeking legal assistance to draft/review and refine two key agreements related to their platform’s services:

  1. Terms of Service – Assess and optimize the existing Terms of Service, which includes the Service Agreement and Order Form. The platform currently allows participants to cancel at any time, and Ecodrive wants to ensure the agreement is clear, enforceable, and aligned with their business model.
  2. Long-Term Service – Develop a version of the Service Agreement tailored for longer-term commitments that provide discounted pricing in exchange for locked-in participation. This agreement should be based on the existing Terms of Service but adapted to reflect the obligations and expectations of a long term commitment.

If an attorney cannot assist with both projects, support on either would be greatly appreciated!

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Ecodrive Inc

Template Licensing Agreement for White Label Tech

Summary:

Assist an environmental and social impact marketplace in creating a template licensing agreement for their White Label Tech for Nonprofits.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Ecodrive is a platform that allows companies to embed environmental action while driving business value. Their clients choose their impact in a project marketplace which has only high integrity and on-the-ground verified projects. They integrate across digital platforms to allow businesses to embed and automate their impact efforts into daily transactions in a tangible, transparent, and engaging way with their customers that in return, drives ROI.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Ecodrive, a platform that enables companies to embed environmental and social action while driving business value, is seeking legal assistance in drafting a template licensing agreement for their White Label Tech for Nonprofits. This technology allows nonprofits to connect with corporate partners while providing marketing tools and transparency to meet corporate needs and drive revenue. The team would appreciate help creating an agreement that outlines terms for licensing the technology, ensuring clarity on usage rights, fees, and obligations for all parties involved.

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Advance Native Political Leadership

Nonprofit Spinoff Consultation

Summary:

Provide a consultation on creating an independent entity for a nonprofit under fiscal sponsorship designed to support newly elected Native officials.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
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):

Advance Native Political Leadership is currently under fiscal sponsorship. They have both a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) project. They are now seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney to discuss the possibility of spinning out and becoming an independent non-profit. The team would like to better understand what this process would entail, and whether it makes sense to move forward at this time.

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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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Riffle Ventures

Establish 501(c)(3)

Summary:

Assist an organization enhancing economic and community resilience to climate change by establishing a 501(c)(3).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Riffle Ventures’ mission is to enhance economic and community resilience to climate change. They are building a community platform and eco-system of overlooked diverse founders of innovative organizations; developing and sharing content and resources with this community; and providing technical support and training to the community.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Riffle Ventures team has already established a for-profit entity for their work. They are now seeking assistance establishing a new 501(c)(3) (both incorporating and filing for 501(c)(3) status). This non-profit will operate at arms-length from their existing for-profit entity. The Riffle Ventures team is open to where this non-profit is established. But the organization’s founders are located in DC, NJ, and CA.

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Farm on Wheels

Consultation on Establishing a 501(c)(3)

Summary:

Assist an organization supporting smallholder rural farmers in Nigeria by providing a consultation on establishing a 501(c)(3).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Farm On Wheels is a social enterprise that works with smallholder rural farmers in Nigeria, empowering them to increase their production capacity, yield and income. Their mission is to solve food insecurity at the family level first, especially for women and youths and at the same time create a sustainable pathway to wealth for our farmers.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Farm on Wheels has begun fundraising in the United States and they believe it makes sense to establish a 501(c)(3) to facilitate this process. They are seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney to better understand what this process entails, what steps they need to take to maintain their 501(c)(3) status each year, and whether it makes sense to move forward at this time.

If possible (and should they move forward), they would also appreciate assistance incorporating and filing for 501(c)(3) status. However, this is a secondary request

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Vital Voices

IP Consultation to Discuss Protecting Work/Licensing Options

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit investing in women leaders tackling the world’s greatest challenges by providing an IP consultation to discuss how to protect their work and to explore potential licensing options.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Vital Voices is a non-profit founded on the idea that nations and communities cannot move forward without women’s voices in leadership positions. They invest in women leaders who are taking on the world’s great challenges – from extreme forms of violence against women and girls to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. The organization impacts three million people each year through their investment in women leaders around the world.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Vital Voice’s leadership published two books and recently developed corresponding curriculum that has significant revenue-generating potential through licensing and corporate partnerships. The Vital Voices Leadership Journey (VVLJ) is a 7-week leadership development program designed to equip changemakers with the tools and strategies needed to drive transformational change.

To maximize this opportunity, Vital Voices is seeking a pro bono legal consultation to develop an intellectual property protection strategy to safeguard their work and explore licensing options that align with their mission and revenue goals.

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Vital Voices

Consultation on Potential 501(c)(3) Status Revocation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit investing in women leaders tackling the world’s greatest challenges by providing a consultation on proactive steps they can take in the event their 501(c)(3) status is revoked.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Vital Voices is a non-profit founded on the idea that nations and communities cannot move forward without women’s voices in leadership positions. They invest in women leaders who are taking on the world’s great challenges – from extreme forms of violence against women and girls to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. The organization impacts three million people each year through their investment in women leaders around the world.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Vital Voices’ mission centers around investing in female leadership and they have received significant backing from Hillary Clinton. As a result, they are concerned about government scrutiny in the current environment. They are seeking a consultation to discuss what steps they can proactively take to protect their organization/work in the event their 501(c)(3) status is revoked. They would like to have a conversation around whether it makes sense to restructure the organization and/or set up a new entity (e.g., a separate 501(c)(3), a 501(c)(4), or a for-profit entity).

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Reparations Club

Consultation on Potential Name Change

Summary:

Assist an indie bookshop and creative sanctuary by providing a consultation on a potential name change.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Reparations Club (aka Rep Club) is a visionary indie bookshop and creative sanctuary. Opened in 2019, Rep Club has quickly become one of the most important and empowering literary spaces in Los Angeles, recognized by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, O Magazine, Issa Rae, and more. Beyond literature, Rep Club hosts in-person events like artist conversations, karaoke nights, and queer game nights, serving as a cultural hub celebrating diversity and embracing authenticity.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Reparations Club team is often referred to by their colloquial name, “Rep Club.” The Reparations Club team is now considering a formal name change. They are seeking a consultation to discuss what pursuing a formal name change would entail (e.g., what steps they would need to take/paperwork they would need to file) or if it makes more sense to keep their name and operate under a DBA. If it’s the latter, they would love to understand what steps they should take to pursue that path.

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Consultation Corral

Provide Consultation on FOIA Requests

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 providing a consultation on FOIA requests.

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):

Unfortunately, many federal agencies do not proactively publish information about Tribal Consultations. The Consultation Corral team is now seeking a consultation with an attorney with FOIA experience to discuss how best to obtain this information. Importantly, they’d like to better understand if it is possible to create a standing FOIA request with federal agencies, and whether this is the best path forward. Ideally, the federal agencies would publish reports on Tribal Consultations within a certain time frame after each Tribal Consultation is held.

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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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