Lawyers Clearinghouse

Nonprofit Charitable Giving Strategies
2021-12-09 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.

This workshop will cover ways to enhance your conversations with donors regarding their charitable gifts, diversifying charitable giving options, and the CARES Act extension benefits that expire at the end of 2021.
Presenter: Elizabeth Manchester, Partridge Snow & Hahn

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2021-12-02 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive Zoom information upon sign up.
Payment: This program is free, with a suggested donation of $25.
At this group session, we’ll 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 of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Goodwin, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2021-11-18 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-10-21 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-10-14 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-09-23 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-04-22 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-04-08 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-03-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-03-11 16:00 - 18:00 | 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. Please note, this service is intended for people with Massachusetts-based criminal records.
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 Bylaws Basics
2021-11-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. Please note this event will be recorded and distributed to all registrants.
This presentation will focus on the mechanics of nonprofit bylaws and give you practical tips for how to use these documents in your operation.
Presenter: Russell Paul, Lawyers Clearinghouse

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2021-10-28 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive Zoom information upon sign up.
Payment: This program is free, with a suggested donation of $25.
At this group session, we’ll 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 of Greater Boston; Russell Paul, Lawyers Clearinghouse.
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Goodwin, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Managing Mergers and Acquisitions: Important Background for Nonprofits (Virtual)
2021-10-28 13:00 - 14:15 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive Zoom information upon sign up.
Merging two nonprofits together can provide unique strategic advantages that contribute to new opportunities for success. This webinar will provide nonprofits with important background information regarding the mergers and acquisitions process, key documentation, and why nonprofits may be interested in pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities.
Presenters: Shayla Harlev, Weil; Jakub Wronski, Weil; and David Tews, Weil.

Legal Clinic (Bridge)
2021-10-22 09:00 - 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. The most common case types we assist with relate to: housing, benefits (SSI/SSDI), and employment.
This week’s Clinic will take place in person at Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 47 West St, Boston, MA, from 9-12 pm. Masks are required.
To sign up, contact: Sean Thekkeparayil – 617-544-3434 ext. 110, or by email.
We try to assist with most civil legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.

Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2021-10-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
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. The most common case types we assist with relate to: housing, benefits (SSI/SSDI), and employment.
This week’s Clinic will take place virtually over Zoom video conferencing.
To sign up, contact: Sean Thekkeparayil – 617-544-3434 ext. 110 or by email.
We try to assist with most civil legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.
Can’t attend this week’s clinic? Contact Clinic Manager Sean Thekkeparayil to discuss your legal matter and future clinic dates: 617-544-3434 ext. 110 or by email.

CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients (Virtual)
2021-09-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-04-29 10:00 - 23:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
*Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on assisting clients with criminal records.*
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.

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. It will address the following:

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?

Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

Legal Clinic (St. Francis House)
2021-09-24 09:00 - 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. The most common case types we assist with relate to: housing, benefits (SSI/SSDI), and employment.
This week’s Clinic will take place in person at St. Francis House, 39 Boylston St., Boston, MA, from 9-12 pm. Masks are required.
To sign up, contact: Sean Thekkeparayil – 617-544-3434 ext. 110, or by email.
We try to assist with most civil legal issues but do not take any domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, child support, etc) or represent defendants in criminal trials.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2021-09-23 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here.
Payment: This program is free, with a suggested donation of $25.
At this group session, we’ll 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 of Greater Boston; Lisa McChesney, Goodwin
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Goodwin, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Nonprofit Consultation: Written Information Security Program (WISP) (Virtual)
2021-07-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Apply: Click here. *Please note this consultation is intended for organizations with 501c3 status.*
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 and Citizens Bank. 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: Emily Renshaw, Partner at Morgan Lewis; Danny Summerlin, Senior Manager of Technology at Jumpstart
This event is Co-Sponsored by Morgan Lewis and Citizens Bank.

Nonprofit Bylaws Consultation (Virtual)
2021-06-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Apply*: Click here. Zoom link provided upon approval.
*You will also be asked to provide a copy of your bylaws, if applicable. This will help the volunteers better tailor their advice to your organization.
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 consultation program on nonprofit bylaws. This 90-minute consultation session will be staffed by lawyers from Weil. They 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.

Nonprofit Bylaws Workshop (Virtual)
2021-06-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. Zoom link provided upon sign up.
The presentation will focus on the mechanics of bylaws and give you practical tips for how to use these documents in your operation.
This event will be recorded.
Note: This presentation is open to all interested nonprofits. Additionally, organizations that apply for the June 23 Bylaws Consultation may find it helpful to attend this presentation or view the recording to get a better sense of how bylaws function and to be able to ask more infomed questions at the consultation. However it is not mandatory to attend this workshop in order to join the consultation session.
Presenter: Russell Paul, Nonprofit Programs Manager, Lawyers Clearinghouse

Community Development Through a Nonprofit Lens (Virtual)
2021-06-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. Zoom link provided upon sign up.
In this 90-minute presentation, Professor Rashmi Dyal-Chand will discuss the role nonprofits can play within collaborative business networks, the focus of her book, Collaborative Capitalism in American Cities, which uses real-world examples to explore how nonprofits and businesses can successfully prioritize collaboration and inclusion to foster economic growth and stability.
Presenter: Rashmi Dyal-Chand, Professor, Northeastern University School of Law

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2021-05-26 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here.
Payment: This program is free, with a suggested donation of $25.
At this group session, we’ll 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 of Greater Boston; Lisa McChesney, Goodwin
This pro bono workshop is a joint project of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Goodwin, TSNE MissionWorks, and Lawyers Clearinghouse.

Intellectual Property Law Overview (Virtual)
2021-05-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here.
In this fast-evolving digital age, it is very easy to copy someone’s protected materials or fail to create safeguards to protect your intellectual property (IP). This workshop is designed to explain some of the basic concepts of intellectual property and the ways that nonprofits can protect their IP or potentially generate income from their IP.
Presenter: Alvin B. Carter III, Brown Rudnick LLP

Maintaining Nonprofit Status (Virtual)
2021-05-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here.
This workshop offers an overview of compliance requirements with various government agencies and practical tips for nascent nonprofits, including the IRS rules on fundraising and political activities.
Presenter: Brittany Besler, AAFCPAs

Nonprofit Consultation: Governance and Operations
2021-05-11 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Apply: Click here. Please apply by Monday, April 12.
Do you have questions about nonprofit governance and operations? Join us for a free, virtual 90-minute consultation, where you will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with volunteer attorneys who can answer your questions about related topics, such as:
– Maintaining nonprofit status and annual filings
– Board of directors
– Intellectual property
– Employment law
– Bylaws and other governing documents
Please note: This consultation is intended for nonprofits that work with underserved communities.
This consultation is presented in partnership with the Boston Bar Association’s Tax Exempt Organizations Section.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2021-05-04 16:00 - 18:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
At this group session, we’ll 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 of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin

Lobbying, Advocacy, and Political Activities for 501c3 Entities (Virtual)
2021-04-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.

Many nonprofits are 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.
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?

Presenter: Teresa Santalucia, Klein Hornig

Philanthropic Strategies for Nonprofits (Virtual)
2021-03-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Join us on March 16 for Philanthropic Strategies and Raising Revenue for Nonprofits Post COVID-19: Endowment Management, Planned Giving and Commercial Co-Ventures
Register: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign-up.
Learn more about how nonprofits can handle fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic and why charitable organizations should consider expanding their fundraising and mission reach.
This seminar will cover why now is an opportune time to launch formal annual and planned giving programs and how specific methods of giving are more attractive in light of the current low interest rates, historic trends of giving in turbulent times, and the SECURE Act and CARES Act. It will also cover why taking on the position of a thoughtful advisor is a successful strategy.
Presenter: Elizabeth Manchester, Counsel, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP
