STANFORD LAW’S Organizations and Transactions Clinic launched a new website this year, offering free access to sample legal documents to attorneys who represent nonprofit organizations. SLS students and instructors developed the documents provided on the site through their clinic work representing nonprofits. The site’s roughly 200 form and precedent legal documents relate to a wide range of issues, including corporate governance, programmatic and earned income activities, and fiscal sponsorship, resource sharing, affiliation, and other relationships unique to nonprofits.

As described on the website, model legal documents for nonprofits are often hard to find. “We wanted to make a contribution toward addressing that gap in the resource base,” says Jay A. Mitchell (BA ’80), professor of law and director of the clinic.

The site also includes brief descriptions of the clinic’s approach to the design of legal documents and client communications, which centers on accessibility and practical use by clients.

The clinic, founded 10 years ago to help students learn about corporate practice and develop as lawyers and professionals, provides free corporate legal services to established nonprofit organizations. Past clients have been active in agriculture, visual and performing arts, education, health care, and other fields.