Intake Form

Non-Profit Entities

The types of non-profit entities with the potential to qualify for support by the firms in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy initiative include:

1. Nonprofit organizations directly serving the needs of marginalized, disenfranchised, or disadvantaged groups in a way that advances a sustainable economy (e.g., a nonprofit developing community solar projects to bring clean energy to residents of public housing);
2. Nonprofit organizations directly securing or protecting civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights, which include environmental and public health matters (e.g., a nonprofit advocating for increased public investment in energy efficiency as a way to improve the environment or public health); or
3. Other nonprofits involved in grantmaking or education efforts related to advancement of a more sustainable economy.

Tribal Entities and other Governmental Entities

Tribal entities, other governmental entities, and community organizations have the potential to qualify for pro bono support by the firms in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy Initiative where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources or would be otherwise inappropriate and:

1. The matter is designed primarily to serve the needs of marginalized, disenfranchised, or disadvantaged groups in a way that advances a sustainable economy; or
2. The matter would assist the organization in protecting public rights or environmental rights, which include environmental and public health matters.

For-Profit Entities

For-profit entities may qualify for pro bono services by the firms in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy initiative if they are either:

1. Newly-formed for-profit entities focused on advancing a sustainably economy and begun by low-income entrepreneurs who, as individuals, may be income-eligible for pro bono legal services; or
2. Mission-aligned for-profit entities that are formed and operate primarily to advance a sustainable economy and, where
   • The business venture has as its primary mission and purpose the enhancement of the economic, health, or social condition of low-income and disadvantaged people and groups or of the environment;
   • The revenues from the business venture, if any, are used directly to support this mission;
   • The business venture does not have sufficient operating funds to pay for legal and other professional services without sacrificing its mission; and
   • The pro bono relationship is time-limited, to last only until the business can pay for counsel without sacrificing its mission.

Entities may be based in the United States or abroad.

To qualify as income-eligible for pro bono legal services, household income cannot exceed 500% of the federal poverty guidelines, and the applicant’s household must have less than $50,000 in eligible liquid assets.  (500% of federal poverty guidelines is $72,900 for a one-person household, $98,600 for a two-person household, and $150,000 for a four-person household). Eligible assets do not include the value of a primary residence, retirement income, or anything else that would have a penalty if the applicant were to withdraw funds.

A for-profit entity could alternatively qualify for pro bono services as a mission-aligned for profit under the criteria above. If the  business venture is profitable, it must qualify as a social enterprise. This means that the entity must have publicly stated its sustainability/social mission (either on its website, in its incorporation documents, or in its annual report) and that it reinvests at least half of its profits back into that mission (i.e. back into the company as opposed to distributing to shareholders). 

Each firm will independently determine if a potential client fits within their firm’s pro bono policy.

Types of Legal Services

The types of legal services that firms participating in Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy may be able to provide include: support with incorporation, corporate governance (e.g., bylaws, policies), contracts, real estate, IP protection, website-related issues (e.g., privacy policies, terms of use), structuring advice for financing and investment, tax advice, and litigation.

Disclaimer

By submitting the intake form you are not entering into an attorney-client relationship with Stanford University or any of the firms in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy Initiative, nor are you guaranteed to receive legal services.