Pro Bono Lawyers Project Offers Legal Assistance to Orlando Nonprofits

Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center Partners With Local Law Firms and Community Foundation of Central Florida to Offer Legal Assistance

ORLANDO, Fla., October 26, 2009—The Rollins College Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center announced today that it is working with 11 law firms, with offices in Central Florida, and the Community Foundation of Central Florida, as part of the Business Lawyers’ Pro Bono Project. The project’s mission is to assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining pro bono legal assistance from business lawyers. The pilot program began on October 1, 2009, and will run until September 30, 2010, at which time the participating law firms will decide if this program should be extended.

The program was initiated by J. Gordon Arkin, a partner at Foley & Lardner, LLP. “I am delighted that business lawyers at eleven of the largest firms in Central Florida stepped forward and agreed to provide their legal services pro bono to support the nonprofit organizations in our community,” said Mr. Arkin. “This project provides a new and valuable legal resource that can help these nonprofit organizations survive in these challenging economic times.”

Applications are being accepted and reviewed by the Rollins College Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Center, which serves as the administrator of the project. 

“Small and medium-sized nonprofits face many of the same challenges as their larger counterparts, but have significantly fewer resources,” said Margaret Linnane, director of the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center. “As a result, many nonprofits can not take the necessary steps to protect their organizations. As the economy remains uncertain, providing these essential services will become even more important in order to ensure the success of these organizations.”
 
The Business Lawyers’ Pro Bono Project will provide Central Florida nonprofits with legal assistance, including drafting or revising articles or bylaws; advising on governance issues; advising on real estate; employment law; intellectual property or grant compliance matters; negotiating or reviewing contracts; giving tax advice; and advising on merger or consolidation issues.

The law firms participating in the Business Lawyers’ Pro Bono Project include: Akerman Senterfitt; Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist; Baker Hostetler; Broad and Cassel; Foley & Lardner LLP; Gray Robinson; Greenberg Traurig; Holland & Knight; Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.; Pohl and Short, PA; and Shutts & Bowen LLP.

For more information on the Business Lawyers’ Pro Bono Project and how nonprofit organizations can participate, go to http://www.rollins.edu/pnlc/resources/pro-bono-lawyers.html.