Creating and Running A Legal Services Program: A Guide for Grassroots Organizations Serving Immigrant Communities

Grassroots tax-exempt organizations that serve immigrant communities often walk a fine line between providing their clients with legal and non-legal services. To that end, organizations may wish to hire an attorney to expand their service options or, alternatively, organizations may already be providing legal services when they are not properly authorized to do so. During this webinar we will clarify the rules surrounding the unauthorized practice of law; provide an overview of the regulations applicable to nonprofits that want to employ an attorney; suggest practical tips for organizations to take into account before onboarding an attorney; and briefly address the federal Recognition and Accreditation Program, one alternative pathway to providing legal services in limited circumstances without hiring an attorney.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to understand the laws regulating when and how nonprofits can provide legal services as well as additional, practical considerations an organization should keep in mind before hiring an attorney.

For Board members, executive directors, senior staff, and human resources professionals of immigrant service organizations.

Presenters: Laura Abel, Senior Policy Counsel, Hedwig O’Hara, Legal Director, and Elizabeth Wytock, Staff Attorney/Legal Fellow

Recorded on: September 20, 2022

$25.00