I’ll never forget our first client, the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta. Back in late summer 2005, they asked for help with an employee benefits issue. Six years later, the Furniture Bank is still a client, along with 499 other Atlanta area nonprofits. That’s right – Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta accepted its 500th client last month. Each of those clients brings multiple legal matters to us and we match those matters with volunteer attorneys, which brings …

“I don’t know what I don’t know.” We hear that a lot from our nonprofit clients. Faced with an overwhelming array of laws, rules and regulations governing tax-exempt organizations, our clients often have trouble understanding the rules, much less staying in compliance with them. In an effort to prevent problems rather than just try to fix them, we launched a campaign of workshops, webcasts and website resources to educate nonprofits about the legal issues they face. Each …

Your board needs to vote to approve a major contract but the next board meeting is in two months. Can the board vote by email or another electronic means? Under Georgia law, a board can take action without a meeting (including by taking an electronic vote) provided that all of the directors consent by voting in favor of the action. And if an organization’s articles or bylaws specifically allow for it, an electronic vote (or any vote …

What are your obligations as an employer when it comes to providing health insurance coverage to former employees? This article will help you understand the requirements under Federal law (COBRA) and Georgia law. Find out whether your nonprofit is governed by COBRA or state continuation coverage and determine whether you have to offer coverage and for how long. Cobra Article

Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta volunteers provided more than $2.3 million worth of legal services to Atlanta nonprofits last year. The time and talents of our attorney volunteers make a big difference the nonprofits they serve. Below are some “shout outs” to our volunteers from their appreciative nonprofit clients: A cake celebrating Jeannette Rankin Foundation’s new bylaws To: Nicholas Farrell of Hillenbrand and Matt Madison of Troutman Sanders From: The Jeanette Rankin Foundation “It was several months …

The success of the 2011 ACC-GA Value Challenge Event yielded a landmark contribution to Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, bringing in over $30,000 for the organization in proceeds from the event. Held on March 24, 2011 and sponsored by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Troutman Sanders, Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, and CPA Global, the conference drew over 90 attorneys in attendance. PBP-Atl accepts the proceeds from the2011 ACC-GA Value Challenge Event (L-R: Monica Jones, Frank Landgraff, Scott …