O&T Clinic Wraps Up Spring 2021 Quarter
Organizations and Transactions Clinic students completed a successful spring quarter. The group worked in an entirely remote mode on a variety of corporate, contractual, advisory, and governance matters and collaborated with the Juelsgaard Intellectual Property and Innovation Clinic, all as described below:
Contract and advice matters
Jessica Blau (‘22) and Hanna McGinnis (‘22) developed a complex collaboration agreement for one of the world’s leading science museums. Jessica and Hanna also prepared a service provider contract for a statewide foundation focused on advancing gender, racial, and economic justice, and contracts for use by an East Bay performing arts nonprofit in commissioning new musical, theatrical, and choreographic works.
Morgan Smiley (‘22) and Mila Gauvin (‘22) and advised a major Central Valley health care organization about the operation of a newly-created for-profit subsidiary. The team prepared a service and license agreement and provided advice about governance, external communication, and other matters. Mila and Morgan also developed multiple contracts for a San Francisco contemporary ballet company.
Ashley Richards (‘22) and Justin Garfinkle (‘22) and created incubator program, fiscal sponsorship, appearance, and other contracts for a San Francisco nonprofit that integrates art and technology to create social and civic impact. Justin and Ashley also drafted website terms and other materials for a digital platform that connects students and schools with volunteers for free tutoring in math and other subjects.
Natalie Cernius (‘22) and Allie O’Keefe (‘22) worked with a Sacramento-area agricultural organization to revamp the documents it uses in making farmland, equipment, and technical support available to participants in its farm incubator program. The team also prepared a suite of program contracts for use by a San Francisco arts nonprofit that inspires creative use of materials that are otherwise discarded.
Corporate governance
In addition, all O&T students carried out comprehensive corporate governance reviews. These engagements involve reviewing the client’s existing governance documents and practices, preparing a detailed report, drafting an extensive suite of bylaws, board committee charters, and other documents, providing a self-assessment tool and set of recommendations regarding board diversity and inclusion, and meeting with board members and senior executives. Ashley Richards and Natalie Cernius worked with a large and long-established provider of services to individuals with special needs. Jessica Blau and Allie O’Keefe represented one of the oldest cultural organizations on the West Coast. Justin Garfinkle and Morgan Smiley represented an Oakland nonprofit that provides capital and other support to small businesses to close the gender and racial wealth gap. Mila Gauvin and Hanna McGinnis advised an East Bay nonprofit that provides youth with rigorous training in the performing arts.
Collaboration with IP Clinic
Hanna McGinnis and Jessica Blau collaborated with Jonathan Kaufman (’22) and Erica Posey (’22), students in the Juelsgaard Intellectual Property and Innovation Clinic, on intellectual property aspects of the science museum engagement noted above.