Lawyers Clearinghouse Newsletter
Summer 2010
Lawyers Clearinghouse Celebrates Annual Meeting
The Lawyers Clearinghouse celebrated its 22nd anniversary on June 16th at Nixon Peabody. Amy Anthony and Esther Schlorholtz ably Co-Chaired the event which was attended by more than 150 people. Board President Douglas Henry welcomed our guests and provided an overview of the Clearinghouse’s recent accomplishments which included the provision of pro bono legal services in the amount of $4,000,000. With a budget of only $200,000, he described the Clearinghouse as a “lean and efficient” operation that leverages every dollar to the greatest extent possible.
Amy introduced our guest speaker, Greg Bialicki, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Community Development. Greg spoke about the need for new construction of housing, preservation of existing housing, modernization of public housing and foreclosure prevention. He also gave an overview of what the Patrick Administration is doing to strengthen cities, towns and neighborhoods in Massachusetts.
Esther presented Joseph Flatley, President and CEO of Massachusetts
Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), with our Leadership Award for his years of service and commitment to affordable housing and community development. 
Esther stated that “Joe is truly an outstanding person with a deep dedication to affordable housing and community development. His work has had an enormous impact and has changed the face of many Massachusetts communities.” She also credited MHIC with “prudent and profitablle financing” and with handling some of the most complex, most innovative community investment projects.
The clearinghouse also recognized the work of Jericho Road Lawrence, and its Executive Director, Joan Kulash, for partnering with the Clearinghouse to provide pro bono services to the Lawrence community. 
Joan commended the work of the Lawyers Clearinghouse and presented Legal Referral Director, Machiko Sano Hewitt, with a framed letter of appreciation from her board of directors.
Andrew Stern, Board Vice President and Co-Chair of the LC Development Committee, presented pro bono awards to three attorneys who had provided pro bono legal assistance to nonprofit organizations that were referred through JRL. 
Federick Gilman, Attorney at Law Kathleen O’Neill Burgener, DLA Piper; and Barbara Trachtenberg, DLA Piper, were recognized for their pro bono contributions.
Board member Cindy Rowe closed the event and left the audience laughing with her witty and comedic remarks.
We are especially grateful to Nixon Peabody for hosting our event and to our Event Committee and our many sponsors that helped to make this event our most successful to date. Thank you for your help and Support.
Save Your Tax-Exempt Status
The IRS has just announced a one-time special filing relief opportunity for small tax-exempt organizations that have failed to file an IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) for three consecutive years. A Form 990-N is required of all tax exempt organizations with annual gross receipts that are normally $25,000 or less. Organizations that fail to file a Form 990-N (or, alternatively, a Form 990/990-EZ) for three consecutive years automatically lose their tax-exempt status. Small nonprofit organizations that have not yet filed a Form 990-N will need to do so by October 15, 2010 to retain their tax-exempt status. There is no fee to file a Form 990-N.
The IRS has also established a one-time voluntary compliance program for larger nonprofit organizations that have failed to file an IRS Form 990-EZ in any of the last three years. Organizations that did not file a Form 990-EZ for 2007, 2008 and/or 2009, but were eligible to do so in all three years, may avoid paying taxes, penalties and interest by filing their delinquent Form 990-EZ(s) by October 15 and paying a compliance fee.
What happens if my organization loses its tax-exempt status?
If your organization’s tax-exempt status is revoked, it will not be eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions and will be required to pay any applicable income taxes. An organization that loses its exemption will have to reapply with the IRS and pay the appropriate application fee (currently $850) to reinstate its tax-exempt status. However, any income received between the revocation date and reinstated exemption may be taxable. Additionally, an organization that loses its federal tax-exempt status may lose its California tax-exemption and, thus, be subject to state income tax and a minimum franchise tax of $800.
How do I find out if my organization is in danger of losing its exemption?
The IRS has published the names and addresses of those organizations that are at risk of losing exemption for failure to file returns for the past three consecutive years. All organizations managers should take a look at this list and confirm that their organizations are not listed.
Visit the IRS website for additional information. If your organization needs the assistance of an attorney, please visit our website or contact Legal Referral Director Machiko Sano Hewitt at (617) 778-1954.
Pro Bono Spotlight – Marisa Howe
Marisa Howe practices in the Immigration Section at Mintz Levin. While her primary legal work involves serving corporate and small business clients, Marisa concentrates the bulk of her extensive pro bono workload on impacting individuals. Marisa has long been involved with the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR), a Boston-based organization committed to protecting asylum-seekers and immigrants’ rights. Marisa served on PAIR’s board from 2005 to 2009, and continues to remain involved running Mintz Levin’s relationship with PAIR and mentoring asylum cases at the firm. In addition to serving as a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee for many years, “Marisa is extremely dedicated to providing pro bono assistance to aslyees, both in working on her own cases and in mentoring countless others throughout the firm with their cases.” says Sue Finegan, Chair of Mintz Levin’s Pro Bono Committee.
Given Marisa’s experience with asylum, it is no wonder that she was able to make such a profound impact in a case taken through the Lawyers Clearinghouse. Marisa worked with a client who came to the Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless at Pine Street Inn. He had already been granted asylum status thanks to the work of her colleagues at Mintz levin, but had been unsuccessful in bringing his many children over to join him from Ethiopia. Because of Marisa’s work and dedication, her client was approved for a green card and eventually U.S. citizenship. He has now been successful in bringing a few of his children to the U.S. while three others have had their petitions approved but are still getting the necessary visas to join their father.
Perhaps the most exceptional and admirable aspect of Marisa’s volunteerism is her approach. While viewing her pro bono work as ethically motivated, she appreciates that it keeps her grounded in her everyday legal duties at the firm. Above all, Marisa recognizes that in her pro bono work, she simply plays the role of the helper, being sure not to trivialize or take away from the persecution endured by her clients. Nevertheless, while emphasizing her unique and humble approach to her volunteer work, Marisa admitted that “when you’re successful in an asylum case, it’s like no other feeling in the world.”
Fostering “a real culture for pro bono work,” Mintz Levin has always been devoted to community service. They have participated in the Legal Clinic since its inception in 1994. Under the leadership of associates, Jehanne Bjornebye and Colin Van Dyke, Mintz Levin staffs two clinics per year at area shelters. The firm has also committed to perform 3% of billable hours through the Pro Bono Institute’s Pro Bono Challenge. In August 2010, the American Bar Association will recognize Mintz Levin with its prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award for its work on behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
Thank you to Marisa Howe and Mintz Levin for their ongoing commitment to our clients.
We are very appreciative to Adam Goldsmith, a student at Boston University, for his research and writing on this article.
