Legal Assessment Program
Contact: Machiko Sano Hewitt
msanohewitt@lawyersclearinghouse.org
The newest program of the Lawyers Clearinghouse is the Legal Assessment Program (LAP), launched in the fall of 2011. This service will match attorneys with nonprofit organizations to complete an in-depth review of the organization’s operations. This program will strengthen the existing nonprofit community while also providing pro bono opportunities to transactional attorneys. Each assessment will cover the following areas:
- Legal Form and Corporate Governance
- Internal Controls and Procedures
- Employment Practices
- Insurance Issues
- Tax Matters
- Fundraising Activities
- Privacy/Data Security/Other Matters
- Material Contracts
In order to be placed with a volunteer attorney, nonprofits must fill out an application and supply the requested documents to the Clearinghouse. The Legal Assessment Program is open to all existing nonprofit organizations. There is a $200.00 (budgets under $1M) or $500.00 (budgets over $1M) administrative fee for successful placement of each case with a volunteer attorney.
The program’s objectives are accomplished by enlisting the volunteer, pro bono support of the private bar through solicitation of law firms and individual attorneys. As applications from nonprofit groups are received by the Clearinghouse, a search is conducted to identify attorneys with relevant experience. From this search, the Clearinghouse notifies attorneys of the opportunity to volunteer to accept the pro bono case. The volunteer attorney who accepts the case will meet directly with the client. At the conclusion of the case, the attorney will report back to the Clearinghouse with information including the outcome of the case and the value of their donated services.
Downloadable Forms for LAP
LAP Client Application Form
LAP Client Release Form
LAP Client Satisfaction Survey
LAP Attorney Closure Form
