How to Get Free Legal Advice for a Nonprofit
Nonprofits access lawyers for a number of reasons, including acquiring tax-exempt status and handling employment issues. Most charitable agencies budget limited funds for legal help and thus pursue pro bono attorney services. Get free legal advice for a nonprofit by first determining the reason for the assistance and then contacting attorneys who work with charitable groups.
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Instructions
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Call other nonprofits to get names of lawyers who worked with them. Find a lawyer committed to the nonprofit's mission. An attorney with enthusiasm for the nonprofit may be more likely to offer pro bono services. Contact the United Way for suggestions on lawyers who work with charities.
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Check with the American Bar Association for state listings of agencies that help others find pro bono legal assistance. Contact the National Council of Nonprofit Associations to tap into state level resources including the names of attorneys providing no cost legal advice for nonprofits.
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Read telephone book ads. Browse through the Yellow Pages in the lawyers' section. Call the Lawyers Referral Service listed in the directory to get names of attorneys signed up to do nonprofit or tax-exempt law.
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Investigate any attorney hired to do pro bono work. Find out if the lawyer has malpractice insurance. Ask if the legal counsel is required to report any malpractice or ethical claims to the Lawyers Referral Service. Check with the state bar association for any disciplinary action against the lawyer.
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Tips & Warnings
Inquire about free legal advice from community-based law schools. Professors interested in nonprofit work may offer pro bono services.
Decide how many issues in which the nonprofit needs legal advice before contacting the attorney. This helps determine if the assistance fosters a long-term relationship between the charity and lawyer or one-time only legal support.
