Lawyers Clearinghouse

CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients (Virtual)
2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-09-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-08 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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: Sign up here. You will receive a Zoom link upon registration.
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 is the process to seal a CORI? Can I refer my client to free legal resources for sealing?
What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? Housing?
What is the process to expunge a charge on a CORI? Are there free legal resources?
What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?

Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

Free Legal Clinic (Rosie's Place)
2024-11-08 08:30 - 11:00 | Rosie’s Place (Women-Only), 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
PLEASE NOTE: This week’s clinic will be held at Rosie’s Place, a women-only shelter.
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you would like to sign up in advance or discuss your legal concern in more detail, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

Free CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2024-11-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-24 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-10-02 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-09-12 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 only intended for people with Massachusetts-based criminal records.
How it Works:

To get started, sign up for the waitlist.
When you get to the top of the waitlist, Lawyers Clearinghouse will call you to schedule your clinic date and get your consent to pull a copy of your CORI. Note: It may take some time to receive a date depending on the length of the waitlist.
On your scheduled clinic date, you will meet with volunteer attorneys for 30-60 minutes over video conferencing or by phone. They will share your CORI with you and discuss the eligibility of your record for sealing and/or expungement.
If you are eligible, the attorneys will work with you on filing a petition to request sealing and/or expungement and discuss next steps. If you are not currently eligible, they will discuss your timeline for eligibility. Note: It will take a few months to receive a final sealing and/or expungement decision from Probation or the court.

View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule
Questions? Contact Sean by email or at 617-544-3434 ext. 110.

Free Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2024-10-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
To sign up, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil, to discuss your legal concerns in more detail:
sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

Free Legal Clinic (BHCHP)
2024-10-11 08:30 - 11:00 | Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), 780 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction; housing discrimination; housing conditions; Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals; Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC); credit and tax issues; unemployment; and wills/trusts/estates.
Walk-ins are welcome at in-person clinics. If you would like to sign up in advance or discuss your legal concern in more detail, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2024-2025 Clinic Schedule

WISP Consultation (Hybrid)
2024-10-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP).
Apply to join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation, where you will receive assistance updating or creating a WISP tailored to your organization.
This consultation will start with a one-hour training covering cybersecurity at the operational level, followed by one-on-one breakout sessions staffed by volunteer attorneys who will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary, or discuss how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if needed.
Training Presenter: Ann Westerheim, Ekaru
Volunteer Attorneys: Morgan Lewis and Citizens Bank
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon. You may be asked to provide a copy of your current WISP, if applicable.
Consultation fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports our pro bono programs, however it is not required if paying it would impose a difficulty.
Hybrid event: Accepted organizations may attend virtually via Zoom or in person at Morgan Lewis (1 Federal St, Boston, MA). Waitlisted organizations are welcome to attend the training portion virtually.

Free Legal Clinic (St. Francis House)
2024-09-13 08:30 - 11:00 | St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2024-09-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay, you may register and attend the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Natalie Chaudhury, Goodwin

Nonprofit Social Media Policies Consultation (VIRTUAL)
2024-08-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Apply here and someone will follow up with you. This consultation is open to both 501(c)3 organizations and prospective nonprofits. You may be asked to provide a copy of your current social media policy, if you have one.
Payment: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Social media is key for nonprofit outreach—and one inappropriate post can cause real problems. Join us for a one-hour presentation on nonprofit social media policies, followed by a one-hour private consultation between your nonprofit and a volunteer attorney to review your current social media policy or help with best practices when creating a new one.
Topics:

Privacy and security
Copyright and intellectual property laws
What’s ok, what’s not—and why
Content moderation
Personal accounts
Friending and following
Responding to an inappropriate post: public relations and HR considerations

Agenda:

3-4 PM: One-hour presentation on social media policies.
4-5 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys.

Volunteer Attorneys: Hinckley Allen and Schneider Electric

Nonprofit Employment Law Basics (Virtual)
2024-08-07 09:00 - 22:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
9-10 AM: Presentation; 10-10:30 AM: Optional Q&A
This seminar will cover the basics of employment law for nonprofits and will answer questions such as:

What constitutes an employee?
What are the legal obligations of an employer?
How do you minimize potential liabilities to protect your organization and employees?

Presenter: Christopher Kaczmarek, Littler Mendelson P.C.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2024-07-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay, you may register for the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Sue Abbott, Goodwin; Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston

Nonprofit Bylaws Consultation (Virtual)
2024-07-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Apply here and someone will follow up with you. This consultation is open to both 501(c)3 organizations and prospective nonprofits.
Payment: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Bylaws are the core of nonprofit good governance, providing a roadmap for the organization and its board of directors. Join Lawyers Clearinghouse and attorneys from Weil for a presentation and consultation on nonprofit bylaws.
After an overview of bylaws basics, lawyers from Weil will review your organization’s current bylaws and discuss possible revisions or help you start the process of creating new bylaws.
This consultation is intended for any nonprofit looking to review, update or create bylaws, from established nonprofits to those who have just incorporated.

1-2 PM: One-hour presentation on bylaws basics.
2-3 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys.

Nonprofit Presenter: Gail Hupper, Access to Justice Fellow
Volunteer Attorneys: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Nonprofit Lobbying, Advocacy & Political Activities: What’s OK and What’s Not? (VIRTUAL)
2024-07-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
Join us for a 90-minute virtual workshop and Q&A covering the basics of nonprofit lobbying, advocacy, and political activities for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. Organizations focused on social, economic, and political issues may find it especially helpful. Attendees will learn:

What constitutes advocacy, lobbying, or political activity;
What rules apply, and what can happen if you break them;
How these rules apply to social media;
Sample language for voter education and “get out the vote” efforts; and
Tips to prevent potential issues.

Presenter: Teresa Santalucia, Klein Hornig

Starting & Maintaining a Nonprofit: Financial & Legal Considerations (IN PERSON)
2024-06-18 17:30 - 18:30 | Berkshire Bank Fenway Branch, 61 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
Registration: Click here
When starting a nonprofit, it can be difficult to organize financial records and planning, establish a banking relationship, find insurance, comply with legal requirements, and assess potential risks that may impact your organization’s ability to focus on its mission.
Join us at the Berkshire Bank Fenway Branch on June 18 for an introductory look at nonprofit financial and legal considerations. Topics include:

Financial records and planning
Banking services
Identifying and reducing risks
Good governance

This event is a great way for new and aspiring nonprofit leaders to learn more about the key financial and legal implications of starting a nonprofit in Massachusetts and to connect with other members of the local nonprofit community. We hope to see you there!

Consultation: Choosing a Legal Entity for Your Social Impact Project
2024-05-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
If you have a vision for helping people and making a difference, it is important to consider the different kinds of legal entities that might enable you to turn your idea into a reality.
Join the Tax-Exempt Organizations Section of the Boston Bar Association and Lawyers Clearinghouse for a two-part workshop and consultation on choosing a legal entity for social impact projects.
This event will start with a one-hour presentation reviewing the pros and cons of:

Working on social impact projects as an individual, or with a group of people;
Volunteering with a mission-aligned nonprofit;
Fiscal sponsorship;
Unincorporated associations;
For-profit entities (LLC, corporation, benefit corporation); and
Nonprofit corporations.

Attendees will then pair up with volunteer attorneys for one-hour private consultations to further explore the possibilities for their respective project ideas.
This event is great for anyone thinking about forming a nonprofit or other type of mission-oriented entity. Space is limited; sign up soon!

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2024-05-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-03-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin

WISP Consultation (Virtual)
2024-04-18 12:30 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP). Apply to join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation program, where you will receive assistance updating or creating a WISP tailored to your organization.
This consultation will start with a one-hour training covering how to implement and maintain a WISP at the operational level, followed by one-on-one breakout sessions staffed by volunteer attorneys who will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary, or discuss how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if needed.
Presenter: Ann Westerheim, Founder and President, Ekaru
Volunteer Attorneys: Morgan Lewis and Bank of America

A Friendly Walk Through IRS Form 990 and Form 990-EZ (VIRTUAL)
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
Most Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits must file an annual information return (Form 990 or Form 990-EZ) or notice (Form 990-N) with the IRS*.
In this overview, attorney and CPA Brittany Besler will take participants on a user-friendly walk through the basic structure of Form 990 and 990-EZ, and explain which small nonprofits are eligible to file the 990-N. This overview isn’t a substitute for working with an accounting professional on your organization’s Form 990 or 990-EZ. However, it will help you better understand what the IRS asks for, and why.
* For organizations using a calendar year as their tax year, the filing deadline for all three forms is coming up on May 15. Failure to file for 3 consecutive years results in automatic revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status. It can be reinstated by meeting certain requirements, but it’s better not to have it revoked.
Presenter: Brittany Besler, Besler Law LLC
About Brittany: Brittany Besler, JD, CPA, has been in the tax industry for over 12 years, and is a member of the Boston Bar Associations Tax Exempt Organizations Committee. Brittany works to find solutions to a client’s tax-related problem, with advice and opportunities to better manage their taxes or reporting requirements.

Clinic in a Box®: Nonprofit Employment Policies
2024-03-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Mintz, One Financial Center, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Apply to join us for this year’s in-person Clinic in a Box®: Nonprofit Employment Policies.
If your organization is selected for participation, volunteer attorneys will meet with you to review some key employment policies for nonprofits (such as anti-harassment policies) and then create policies for your organization.
Please note: Your executive director, board chair, or other senior staff or board member responsible for governing or managing your organization must be able to attend. If you are selected to attend, you may also be asked to provide copies of your current employment policies.
This event is co-sponsored by Corporate Pro Bono, Northeast ACC Chapter, Lawyers Clearinghouse, and Mintz.

Free Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2024-03-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction, landlord-tenant issues, housing discrimination, Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals, credit and bankruptcy, and tax issues. We do not take family law or criminal cases.
To sign up, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil, to discuss your legal concerns in more detail:
sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2023-2024 Clinic Schedule

Free CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2024-03-21 15:30 - 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 for the waitlist here and someone will follow up with you. Please note it may take some time to hear back, depending on the length of the waitlist.
View the full 2023-2024 Clinic Schedule
Questions? Contact Sean by email or at 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
How it Works:

To get started, fill out the online sign up form. Lawyers Clearinghouse will email you to confirm your registration.
When you get to the top of the waitlist, Lawyers Clearinghouse will call you to schedule your clinic date and get your consent to pull a copy of your CORI. Note: It may take some time to receive a date depending on the length of the waitlist.
On your clinic date, you will meet with volunteer attorneys for 30-60 minutes over video conferencing or by phone. They will share your CORI with you and discuss the eligibility of your record for sealing and/or expungement.
If you are eligible, the attorneys will work with you on filing a petition to request sealing and/or expungement and discuss next steps. If you are not currently eligible, they will discuss your timeline for eligibility. Note: It will take a few months to receive a final sealing and/or expungement decision from Probation or the court.

Free Legal Clinic (St. Francis House)
2024-03-08 09:30 - 12:00 | St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
