Lawyers’ Committee for RI

Lawyers’ Committee for RI seeks Volunteer Attorneys to help Nonprofits Navigate the Evolving Regulatory and Funding Landscapes

Established earlier this year to hold government accountable to the law, more than 20 local attorneys have already joined the committee

As nonprofits in Rhode Island and across the country continue to be the targets of increasing legal action taken by the Administration, a group of local attorneys has come together to provide organizations pro-bono legal resources. Established earlier this year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island is looking for more volunteer attorneys to help nonprofits and protect their work. Already, more than 20 lawyers have signed on to lend their expertise but with many nonprofits in the State at risk, more lawyers are needed.

Volunteer attorneys are asked to contribute their time and talent to ‘limited scope representation’ of nonprofits, which can include advising, assisting with agency disputes, and litigation. Training and support are provided for those attorneys who volunteer. Among the services offered to nonprofits are trainings and workshops, open office hours, and one-on-one consultations.

“We are seeing the structure of our legal system challenged and sometimes battered, more broadly, more deeply, and faster than any such changes in any advanced democracy, ever,” said Miriam Weizenbaum, Esq., DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd. “Lawyers understand the first line of defense against a law breaker is a lawyer. The Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island was created to ensure that line of defense exists, and to respond quickly and effectively by engaging volunteer lawyers to ensure the law is upheld for people, groups, and institutions throughout Rhode Island.”

The Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island works to ensure that legal resources, including attorneys, are available to local nonprofits to protect their federal funding and their 501(c)(3) status. Overall, within the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island, there are four primary working groups – Immigration, Nonprofit, Education, and Emerging Areas. The group is driven by a shared commitment to hold the government accountable to the law and to protect people, groups, and institutions in Rhode Island through effective and rapid response.

Those interested in getting involved with or learning more about the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island are encouraged to contact [email protected] or [email protected].