Lawyers Clearinghouse

CORI Sealing Clinic
2020-08-06 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-07-30 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-07-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-07-16 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-07-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-30 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-25 15:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need your CORI (criminal record) sealed or expunged? You may be eligible for free assistance from a volunteer attorney, conducted via Zoom video conferencing.
Sign up here and someone will follow up with you.
We are accepting registrations on a rolling basis, so once you sign up we will work with you to schedule a final meeting date and time.
This program is offered in partnership with Codman Square NDC, Urban Edge, and the City of Boston.

Nonprofit Conversation Series: Commercial Leases
2020-07-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Bring a snack and a notebook to your computer on July 23 for a session on commerical real estate leases, featuring attorneys from DLA Piper.
This upcoming session is perfect for nonprofit leaders with questions or concerns about leases during (and after) COVID-19.
Registration: Click here. Registrants will receive a Zoom link once they sign up.
Agenda:
2:00-3:00 pm: Presentation on Commercial Leases
3:00-3:30 pm: Discussion with Attorneys
Please note: The attorneys will provide general information that is pertinent to nonprofits. No legal advice will be given and no attorney-client relationship will result. No participant should act, or refrain from acting, with respect to any particular legal matter on the basis of the information provided without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Nonprofit Conversation Series: Reopening
2020-06-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
We want to facilitate a sharing of experiences and know-how, provide timely information, and give you access to nonprofit legal experts.
So bring a snack and a notebook to your computer for round four of this new program, featuring small group video chats with experts and fellow members of the nonprofit community.
Registration: This event is at capacity. Please sign up for the waitlist.
This event will take place via Zoom video conferencing. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom session closer to the event date.
Main Topic of Discussion: Reopening
Featuring experts from Ropes & Gray
In the interest of keeping the session small, space is very limited. Please register soon.
Please note: The experts will provide general information that is pertinent to nonprofits. No specific legal advice will be given and no attorney-client relationship will result.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2020-06-23 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. Registrants will receive a Zoom link closer to the event date.
Payment: This program is free, with a suggested donation of $25. Click here to donate.
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or do you have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. At this group session, we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
Presenters: Susan Abbott, Goodwin; Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council; Anli Jiao, TSNE MissionWorks
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Goodwin Procter LLP, Arts & Business Council, TSNE MissionWorks, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Nonprofit Conversation Series: Fiscal Sponsorship
2020-06-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
This event was originally scheduled for June 4, but has been postponed to Thursday, June 11.
We want to facilitate a sharing of experiences and know-how, provide timely information, and give you access to nonprofit legal experts.
So bring a snack and a notebook to your computer for round three of this new program, featuring small group video chats with experts and fellow members of the nonprofit community.
Registration: Register Here
This event will take place via Zoom video conferencing. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom session closer to the event date.
Main Topic of Discussion: Fiscal Sponsorship
Featuring experts from TSNE MissionWorks.
2:00-3:00 pm: Discussion with experts
3:00-3:30 pm: Additional discussion time (optional)
In the interest of keeping the session small, space is very limited. Please register soon.
Please note: The experts will provide general information that is pertinent to nonprofits. No specific legal advice will be given and no attorney-client relationship will result.

Nonprofit Consultation: Bylaws
2020-06-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Please note this event is currently at capacity. However we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist. This event will take place over Zoom and attendees will receive individualized Zoom links closer to the event date.
Bylaws serve as the main governing document of your organization; the bedrock upon which its foundation rests. When bylaws are not carefully created and maintained in accordance with the best practices outlined in your Articles of Organization, cracks may start to appear in this foundation, hampering your work and taking away from your organization’s mission and resources.
Join us for a 90-minute Zoom consultation on bylaws, staffed by lawyers from Weil, Gotshal, & Manges, who will review your current bylaws or assist you in creating a new policy and make recommendations as necessary.
This is designed for any nonprofit looking to change, update, or create bylaws, from established longstanding nonprofits to those who have just incorporated and want to make sure they have legally-sound bylaws.

[RESCHEDULED for June 11] Nonprofit Conversation Series: Fiscal Sponsorship
2020-06-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Please note, the June 4 Conversation Series session has been rescheduled for:
Thursday, June 11
2:00-3:30 pm
View the new event page here.
Register here.

Nonprofit Conversation Series: Employment Law
2020-05-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
We want to facilitate a sharing of experiences and know-how, provide timely information, and give you access to nonprofit legal experts.
So bring a snack and a notebook to your computer for round two of this new program, featuring small group video chats with experts and fellow members of the nonprofit community.
Registration: Register Here
This event will take place via Zoom video conferencing. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom session closer to the event date.
Main Topic of Discussion: Employment Law
Featured Experts: Richard Loftus, Employment lawyer at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein; and Charlotte Petilla, Labor and employment lawyer at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein
10:00-11:00 am: Discussion with experts
11:00-11:30 am: Additional discussion time (optional)
In the interest of keeping the session small, space is very limited. Please register soon.
Please note: The attorneys will provide general information that is pertinent to nonprofits. No specific legal advice will be given and no attorney-client relationship will result.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Women's Lunch Place)
2020-05-01 09:30 - 12:00 | Women’s Lunch Place (Women Only), 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116, United States
PLEASE NOTE: Due to public health and safety concerns surrounding the current coronavirus outbreak, the May 1 Legal Clinic at Women’s Lunch Place has been canceled. We still want to serve clients in need of civil legal assistance. Please call Clinic Manager Mosunmola Ojo to discuss your civil legal matters: 617-544-3434 ext. 109 or email mojo@lawyersclearinghouse.org.
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Women’s Lunch Place seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Minerva – 617.267.8104
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Pine Street Inn)
2020-04-03 09:30 - 12:00 | Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
PLEASE NOTE: Due to public health and safety concerns surrounding the current coronavirus outbreak, the April 3 Legal Clinic has been cancelled. We still want to serve clients in need of civil legal assistance. Please leave a voicemail for Clinic Manager Mosunmola Ojo to discuss your civil legal matters: 617-544-3434 ext. 109.
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Pine Street Inn seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Men’s Contact: Ken – 617.892.9230
Women’s Contact: Julie – 617.892.9318
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Bridge)
2020-03-27 09:30 - 12:00 | Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 47 West St., Boston, MA, 02111, United States
PLEASE NOTE: Due to public health and safety concerns surrounding the current coronavirus outbreak, the March 27 Legal Clinic has been cancelled. We still want to serve clients in need of civil legal assistance. Please call Clinic Manager Mosunmola Ojo to discuss your civil legal matters: 617-544-3434 ext. 109.
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Bridge Over Troubled Waters seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Lindsay – 617.423.9575 ex. 207
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

[POSTPONED] How to Maintain Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt, and Public Charity Status
2020-03-25 08:30 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
NOTICE: In the interest of public health and safety, this event has been postponed. Please contact Russell Paul with any questions or concerns.
This two-hour workshop offers an overview of compliance requirements with various government agencies and practical tips for nascent nonprofits, including the IRS rules on fundraising and annual filings.
Registration*: Click here to register. Please RSVP by March 23. Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am to sign in.
Presenters: Brittany Besler, AAFCPAs.

[POSTPONED] CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients
2020-03-19 08:30 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
NOTICE: In the interest of public health and safety, this event has been postponed. Please contact Russell Paul with any questions or concerns.
This criminal records training is intended for nonprofits whose staff are involved with counseling or offering services in the community to individuals who may have criminal records. Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on organizations that assist clients with criminal records.
Please arrive between 8:30 am and 9:00 am to sign in.
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by March 17.
Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum is an Access to Justice Fellow who volunteers directly with clients in clinics run by the Lawyers Clearinghouse and Veterans Legal Services. She also offers a free training to nonprofits, government agencies, law school clinical programs, veterans groups, and law firms whose staff/students/pro bono attorneys have direct contact with people who may have criminal records.
Agenda:

What exactly is a criminal record in Massachusetts? Who has the data? Who gets access to the data?
How can a nonprofit help a client reduce the barriers posed by criminal records?
What can be done if a client of a nonprofit wishes to seal a CORI? What crimes can be sealed? What resources are available?
What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? housing?
What is the process for the new expungement laws for CORIs?
What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?

[POSTPONED] Legal Fundamentals of Forming a Mission-Driven Organization
2020-03-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Northeastern University Law School (42 Dockser Hall), 65 Forsyth Street, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
NOTICE: This program has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Please contact Russell Paul with any questions.
Four Class Sessions
Wednesdays from March 18-April 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
Northeastern University Law School, 42 Dockser Hall
65 Forsyth Street, Boston, MA
One Legal Consultation Session
Wednesday, April 29, 6:00-8:00 pm
Morgan Lewis & Bockius, 1 Federal St., Boston, MA
Do you have BIG ideas? Maybe you want to create a project to help your community. Maybe you want to start a business that will do good and also make a profit. Have you started working on your idea, but have yet to formalize your organization? Turning these ideas into a reality is daunting; there are many factors to consider along the way, and many have legal implications.
Lawyers Clearinghouse, Lawyers for Civil Rights, Morgan Lewis, Northeastern University Law School, and TSNE MissionWorks are proud to offer a new seminar series: Legal Fundamentals of Forming and Operating a Mission-Driven Organization (MDO).
The series is designed for people who want to establish and run an organization to make the world a better place, whether locally or on a broader scale. We will provide an in-depth look at choosing the best type of MDO entity to suit your needs, setting it up, and tackling day-to-day legal mechanics and hurdles that commonly arise along the way.
We are now accepting applications for Part I, which will focus on entity formation. Part II, which we expect to offer during the fall, will focus on legal aspects of day-to-day operations.
Part I: Entity Formation
Sessions 1-4: Each Wednesday, March 18-April 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
Session 5: Wednesday, April 29, 6:00-8:00 pm
The focus of Part I is entity formation: the differences among types of legal entities, how to decide which type will work best for your project, and the basics of forming and maintaining each one. While we will mention the business ramifications of each legal entity, this class is not designed to teach business basics.
Part I will consist of four classroom sessions, followed by a fifth session in which participants have an opportunity to consult experienced attorneys about the legal questions facing their own organizations:
Session 1: Wednesday, March 18: Forming a mission-driven organization: legal basics
Session 2: Wednesday, March 25: Deciding which form to use
Session 3: Wednesday, April 1: Incorporation workshop: two versions (for-profit and non-profit)
Session 4: Wednesday, April 8: Policies and their functions
Session 5: Wednesday, April 29: Consultation workshop
Participants attending at least 80% of the sessions (four out of five) for a given Part will receive a certificate of completion for that Part.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (BHCHP)
2020-03-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), 780 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
PLEASE NOTE: Due to public health and safety concerns surrounding the current coronavirus outbreak, the March 13 Legal Clinic has been canceled. We still want to serve clients in need of civil legal assistance. Please call Clinic Manager Mosunmola Ojo to discuss your civil legal matters: 617-544-3434 ext. 109.
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Nicole – 857.654.1081
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Metro Housing Boston)
2020-02-28 09:30 - 12:00 | Metro Housing Boston, 1411 Tremont St., Boston, MA, 02120, United States
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Metro Housing Boston seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Felisha – 617.425.6650
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2020-02-27 16:00 - 18:30 | Goodwin, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by February 24.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per person.
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or do you have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. At this group session, we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin; Anli Jiao, TSNE MissionWorks
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Goodwin Procter LLP, Arts & Business Council, TSNE MissionWorks, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Medeiros Center)
2020-02-07 09:30 - 12:00 | Medeiros Center, 1960 Washington St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at the Cardinal Medeiros Center seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Muriel – 617.619.6962
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Access to Justice Fellows Program Information Session
2020-01-27 12:30 - 13:30 | Boston Bar Association, 16 Beacon St., Boston, 02108, United States
Event Registration: Please sign up here.
Anyone interested in participating as an Access to Justice Fellow is invited to attend this information session. A panel of five Fellows will be speaking about their first-hand experiences in the Program and prospective Fellows will have the opportunity to chat with current Fellows and staff about the Program.
The Access to Justice Fellows Program, a project of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and the Lawyers Clearinghouse, enables senior lawyers and retired judges to partner with nonprofit organizations, courts, and other public interest entities to increase equal justice for all. By matching lawyers who are retired or transitioning toward retirement with groups that need their help, the A2J Fellows Program allows these lawyers to use their specialized skills and experience to do engaging pro bono work, remain active members of the legal community, and help people and groups in need. Fellows meet monthly for lunch at Mintz to discuss their pro bono projects. The next Program will run from September 2020-June 2021.
Panelists:
Rosemary Allen, 2013-2014 Fellow
John Bowman, 2015-2016 Fellow
Hon. Cynthia Cohen (ret.), 2017-2018 Fellow
Michael Felsen, 2018-2019 Fellow
Karen Quandt, 2018-2019 Fellow
Moderators:
Janet Donovan, Fellow at Lawyers Clearinghouse
Sue Finegan, Mintz, Co-Founder of the Fellows Program, Co-Chair of MA Access to Justice Commission
Susan Gedrick, Development and Fellows Director at Lawyers Clearinghouse
Martha Koster, Mintz, Co-Founder of the Fellows Program

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (St. Francis House)
2020-01-24 09:30 - 12:00 | St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at St. Francis House seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Fabiana – 617.457.1034
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2020-01-22 16:00 - 18:30 | Goodwin, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by 12 pm on January 20.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per person.
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or do you have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. At this group session, we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
Presenters: Susan Abbott, Goodwin; Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Goodwin Procter LLP, Arts & Business Council, TSNE MissionWorks, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Pine Street Inn)
2020-01-10 09:30 - 12:00 | Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, United States
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Pine Street Inn seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Men’s Contact: Ken – 617.892.9230
Women’s Contact: Julie – 617.892.9318
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (BHCHP)
2019-12-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), 780 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
The Lawyers Clearinghouse operates free legal clinics throughout the year at a number of area shelters. In order to qualify, clients must be homeless, using shelter services, or otherwise income eligible for free legal services. This week’s clinic will match pro bono attorneys with homeless clients at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program seeking legal assistance.
Clients should sign up in advance if possible by contacting:
Nicole – 857.654.1081
Clients who are unable to sign up in advance may still attend a clinic. We try to assist with most legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
View and print a pdf of the full 2019-2020 schedule.

Clinic in a Box: Nonprofit Governance: Bylaws
2019-12-05 09:45 - 12:30 | Mintz Levin – 38th Floor, 1 Financial Center, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Registration*: Click here. Please RSVP by November 15. Space is limited, so please apply early.

Please join us for this year’s Clinic in a Box® on Nonprofit Governance. This Clinic will give you the opportunity to update your existing bylaws and get advice from experienced attorneys. Attendees of the Clinic will leave with an updated bylaws, as well as governance tips and best practices for continued maintenance of the nonprofit form.

Agenda
9:45 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
10:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. One-on-One Meeting with Attorneys

*Once you register you will receive an email requesting your organization’s current bylaws. Please respond as soon as possible to ensure your registration is approved. You will be notified of your application status shortly after November 15. Should your organization be selected for participation in the clinic, your executive director, board chair, or other senior staff or board member responsible for governing or managing your organization must be able to participate in the clinic.
