Lawyers Clearinghouse

[POSTPONED] CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients
2020-03-19 08:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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, 2019-10-04 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, 2019-09-20 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.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Bridge)
2019-11-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 47 West St., 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 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.

Corporate Governance for Nonprofits
2019-11-21 08:30 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by November 18.
A 2-hour, interactive seminar led by a tax-exempt organization specialist. Topics include role of the board, director duties, board composition, board procedures, policies, other compliance issues, and director liability.
Agenda:
8:30 am-9:00 am Networking and Breakfast
9:00 am-11:00 am Presentation
Presenters: Teresa Santalucia, Klein Hornig

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2019-11-20 16:00 - 18:30 | Goodwin, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by November 15.
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; Anli Jiao, TSNE MissionWorks; Lisa McChesney, Goodwin LLP
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Goodwin Procter LLP, Arts & Business Council, TSNE MissionWorks, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

MA Paid Family Leave Law Workshop: An Overview for Nonprofits
2019-11-20 08:30 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by November 15.
The MA Paid Family and Medical Leave Law will be altering the legal requirements of all employers operating in Massachusetts, including nonprofits. This new law will require all employers to allow employees and covered individuals to, among other things, take up to 20 weeks of paid leave for an employee’s own health conditions and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a family member’s illness. While the leave entitlements will not take effect until January 1, 2021, new notification requirements and payroll contribution deductions went into effect on October 1, 2019. This workshop is intended for all nonprofits that have or are planning to hire employees and covered individuals that want to know more about this new legal requirement.
Presentation will discuss:
– What is the Paid Family and Medical Leave Law?
– How will this affect nonprofit employers and employees?
– How can a nonprofit prepare for these changes?
– Do employees have any requirements?
– Who is considered a covered individual?
– Who is considered a family member?
– What is the payment schedule and how much does the employer need to pay during the leave?
– What is considered a serious medical need?
– What happens if I don’t comply with the new law?
Agenda:
8:30am-9:00am Networking and Breakfast
9:00am-11:00am Presentation
Presenter: Christopher Kaczmarek, Littler.

Pro Bono Consultation for Nonprofits: Written Information Security Program (WISP)
2019-11-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Morgan Lewis, 1 Federal St., Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by November 11.
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP). Each WISP should be tailored to the manner and scope of operation of each corporate entity.
Join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation program. The 60 minute training will focus on how to implement and maintain WISP at the operational level. The subsequent 75 minute consultation session will be staffed by lawyers from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. They will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary or discuss with you how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if you don’t have one.
Presenters: Liza Hays, Business and Securities Litigator at Morgan Lewis; Danny Summerlin, Senior Manager of Technology at Jumpstart.
Pro Bono Attorneys for Individual Consultation on WISP: Attorneys from Morgan Lewis.
Agenda:
9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Registration, refreshment and networking
9:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome remarks
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. How to Implement and Maintain a WISP at Your Nonprofit
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Consultation with Pro Bono Attorneys
This pro bono consultation program is a joint project of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

MA Paid Family Leave Workshop: An Overview for Nonprofits
2019-11-06 09:30 - 11:30 | Merrimack Valley YMCA, 40 Lawrence St., Lawrence, MA, 01840, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by November 4.
MA Paid Family and Medical Leave Law will be altering the legal requirements of all employers operating in Massachusetts, including nonprofits. This new law will require all employers to allow employees and covered individuals to, among other things, take up to 20 weeks of paid leave for an employee’s own health conditions and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a family member’s illness. While the leave entitlements will not take effect until January 1, 2021, new notification requirements and payroll contribution deductions went into effect on October 1, 2019. This workshop is intended for all nonprofits that have or are planning to hire employees and covered individuals that want to know more about this new legal requirement.
Agenda:

What is the Paid Family and Medical Leave Law?
How will this affect nonprofit employers and employees?
What does my nonprofit have to do prior to July 1, 2019?
How can a nonprofit prepare for these changes?
Do employees have any requirements?
Who is considered a covered individual?
Who is considered a family member?
What is the payment schedule and how much does the employer need to pay during the leave?
What is considered a serious medical need?
What happens if I don’t comply with the new law?

Presenters: Arielle B. Kristan, business and employment litigator at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein; and Charlotte Petilla, labor and employment lawyer at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein.

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Women's Lunch Place)
2019-11-01 09:30 - 12:00 | Women’s Lunch Place (Women Only), 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116, 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 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.

2019-2020 Access to Justice Fellows Kick Off
2019-10-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
Please register here to attend.
Join Lawyers Clearinghouse and the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission in kicking off the eighth year of the Access to Justice Fellows Program!
Featuring remarks by:
Paula Finley Mangum
2018-2019 Fellow with the Women’s Bar Foundation
Hon. Ralph D. Gants
Chief Justice of the MA Supreme Judicial Court

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2019-10-22 16:00 - 18:30 | Goodwin, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Registration: Click here. Please register by October 18.
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 LLP; Anli Jiao, TSNE MissionWorks

Legal Clinic for the Homeless (Metro Housing Boston)
2019-10-18 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:
Maura – 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.

Lobbying Law 101: Guidance for Nonprofits
2019-10-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Registration: Click here. Please register by October 14.
Many nonprofits are now considering increasing their advocacy activities. It is critical for these nonprofits to review the rules of engagement in this area so as to remain in compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. They may also consider whether it is feasible to form a 501(c)(4) arm. This seminar will give a general overview of basic federal tax and lobbying law for 501(c)(3) organizations and discuss best practices, including the following questions:

What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?
When and how is it okay for a nonprofit to lobby and what happens if a nonprofit crosses the line?

Presenters: Teresa Santalucia, Klein Hornig LLP

Commercial Lease Consultation: Lease Review for Nonprofits
2019-10-01 15:00 - 17:00 | DLA Piper LLP (US), 33 Arch St., Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Registration*: Click here. Please register by September 24.
*Space is very limited; apply early.
Do you have questions about your current office lease? Is lease renewal time fast approaching? Are you considering a move to new office space? Come meet with real estate law specialists from a premier law firm who will review your current or proposed lease and provide expert consultation and advice.
Note: This consultation is focused on nonprofits who are considering renewing their lease or moving into new office space and already have a draft or completed contract. Nonprofits that are looking to learn the basics of lease construction should attend another event.
Agenda:
3:00 pm-3:30 pm: Registration
3:30 pm-5:00 pm: Consultation with Pro Bono Attorneys from DLA Piper LLP

Starting an Organization: The Basics of Formation
2019-09-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Lawyers for Civil Rights, 61 Batterymarch St. (5th Floor), Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Registration: Click here.
Are you looking to start a business and help the community? Do you have a mission to do good but worry about the burdens of running a nonprofit? Not sure of the differences between an LLC and a nonprofit?
Lawyers Clearinghouse and Lawyers for Civil Rights are proud to partner on a 2-hour seminar designed for people who are in the process of creating a business or have an idea for a business and want to give back to the community in some capacity. This program will give a high-level view of what types of businesses you can form, what structure is best for you, and what an organization can do to bring about positive change. This seminar will walk through:

The various for-profit structures such as LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, and Benefit Corporations
Differences between for-profit and nonprofit?
Legal requirements for both structures

Ultimately, this seminar will highlight the benefits and challenges of each path and help you make an informed decision about your business.
Presenters: Russell Paul, Nonprofit Assistance Manager at Lawyers Clearinghouse; Priya Lane, Economic Justice Project Director at Lawyers for Civil Rights.

Five Things You Can Do to Enhance Workplace Safety & Health
2019-09-24 09:30 - 12:30 | Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (3rd Floor Conference Room), 305 Essex St., Lawrence, MA, 01840, United States
Registration: Click here.
People who volunteer and give back shouldn’t get hurt while doing good. This workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders protect employees, volunteers, and the good reputations of their organizations.
Participants will receive guidance on how to make their operations safer. Presenters will describe the most frequent types of workplace hazards, identify approaches to reducing risk of injury, and summarize regulatory requirements pertaining to workplace safety and health. At the completion of this workshop, participants should have at least five ideas to enhance workplace safety and health in their operations.
Presenters: Workshop leaders are volunteer safety and health professionals from the Safety For NonProfits (SFNP) team.
This event is sponsored by Community InRoads and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

MA Paid Family Leave Workshop: An Overview for Nonprofits
2019-09-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Boston Private, 10 Post Office Sq, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Registration: Click here. Please RSVP by September 19.
MA Paid Family and Medical Leave Law will be altering the legal requirements of all employers operating in Massachusetts, including nonprofits. This new law will require all employers to allow employees and covered individuals to, among other things, take up to 20 weeks of paid leave for an employee’s own health conditions and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a family member’s illness. While the leave entitlements will not take effect until January 1, 2021, new notification requirements and payroll contribution deductions will go into effect by October 1, 2019. This workshop is intended for all nonprofits that have or are planning to hire employees and covered individuals that want to know more about this new legal requirement.
Agenda:

What is the Paid Family and Medical Leave Law?
How will this affect nonprofit employers and employees?
What does my nonprofit have to do prior to July 1, 2019?
How can a nonprofit prepare for these changes?
Do employees have any requirements?
Who is considered a covered individual?
Who is considered a family member?
What is the payment schedule and how much does the employer need to pay during the leave?
What is considered a serious medical need?
What happens if I don’t comply with the new law?

Presenters: Kathleen Berney, business and employment litigator at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein; and Charlotte Petilla, labor and employment lawyer at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop
2019-09-17 16:00 - 18:30 | Goodwin, 100 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Registration*: Click here. Please RSVP by September 13.
*Please note that registration is required and is not complete without the seminar fee payment of $25 per person. You will also need a valid photo ID to enter the building.*
Payment: $25 per person. Click here to pay.
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

Three of our presenters spoke with us about starting a nonprofit and the state of the sector as whole. Take a look at their in-depth responses here.
Presenters: Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin; Anli Jiao, TSNE Missionworks; Lisa McChesney, Goodwin.
Co-sponsors: Goodwin, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston/Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, TSNE MissionWorks.
