Resource alert: Attend this free legal clinic for nonprofits

Philly lawyers are doing more pro bono work than ever, according to a 2017 report from the Philadelphia Bar Association and Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

Still, there are common challenges to recruiting lawyers to work pro bono: They’re generally strapped for time, sometimes unfamiliar with pro bono cases’ subject matters and often have a hard time knowing where to find cases that do match their interests.

To combat those challenges, the report recommended, among other things, expanding the one-day clinic model. Luckily for local nonprofits, Philadelphia VIP is in the business of doing just that.

At its next free legal assessment clinic, Philly-based nonprofits can receive free legal assistance from volunteer attorneys in issue areas such as updating bylaws, revising employee handbooks and creating image release agreements.

“The attorneys at the clinic will be walking clients through our Legal Assessment Checklist, which covers everything a nonprofit would need in order to be compliant with the law,” Executive Director Sophie Bryan wrote to Generocity describing a past legal clinic. “Attorneys will be issue spotting and highlighting areas the nonprofit should consider addressing. VIP staff will follow up with each client afterwards to prioritize what was highlighted and connect the client with volunteer attorneys to provide additional, ongoing assistance to address those specific issues.”

• When — Tuesday, July 17, 10 a.m. to noon
• Where — Center City (exact location TBD)
• How much — Free!