Your Time at Work

McDermott and the Nonprofit Legal Assessment Program Partner to Provide More than Just Representation

Through a unique pro bono program supported by the CBF, Todd Solomon, a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery, and a team of 10 McDermott attorneys stepped up to help one of our community’s legal aid organizations, the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (ALCC), carry out its mission of preserving and protecting the legal rights of the many thousands of people impacted by HIV and AIDS. While many think of pro bono only in the context of representing individuals, Todd and his team did not represent ALCC clients for this project. Instead, they joined forces with the Nonprofit Legal Assessment Program (NLAP) of the Community Economic Development Law Project to deliver a different kind of legal service.

“These lawyers encouraged us to raise our sights on board expectations and fundraising so that we can be the best and biggest organization possible.  For us and our board to hear this from lawyers who have thoroughly evaluated our organization is incredibly valuable.”

- Ann Fisher, Executive Director of ALCC

Through NLAP, firms and corporate legal departments throughout the Chicago area deploy teams of attorneys to assess and provide counsel on corporate governance and related issues for established nonprofit organizations in the Chicago area, including CBF grantee organizations like ALCC. Volunteer attorneys provide the legal and technical assistance to ensure that these organizations are best positioned to govern well, efficiently manage resources and effectively carry out their missions. Todd and the team from McDermott used their experience in areas ranging from employee benefits to intellectual property to provide ALCC with a comprehensive review of operational areas, including regulatory compliance, fiscal oversight, intellectual property, and personnel and corporate governance policies.

ALCC signed on with NLAP because “as a small nonprofit, we knew there was a lot we did not know,” said Ann Fisher, ALCC’s Executive Director. Hoping for some basic help to comply with the new IRS Form 990, “we received the help we were looking for and so much more.” Ann describes the benefit of NLAP as “immense,” from the insight the lawyers provided to the peace of mind that comes with knowing that “smart, thorough and hardworking lawyers” have reviewed her organization. “These lawyers encouraged us to raise our sights on board expectations and fundraising so that we can be the best organization possible. For us and our board to hear this from lawyers who have thoroughly evaluated our organization is incredibly valuable,” Ann said.

The benefits of the partnership are mutual. While ALCC and other nonprofits receive donated legal services worth tens of thousands of dollars, their law firm partners also enjoy participating in NLAP. With McDermott now working on an assessment for a third nonprofit organization, Todd describes the program as “uniquely successful.” He explains that McDermott attorneys appreciate the opportunity for “in-area” pro bono in subjects such as employee benefits, tax and intellectual property. Todd and his colleagues also value the training opportunities for newer attorneys, the team-building it promotes within the firm and the pleasure of knowing that attorneys have used their skills to strengthen nonprofit organizations. Citing ALCC as an example, Todd identifies another important aspect of volunteering for NLAP – the opportunity for the firm to work very closely with an organization. As a result of the relationship that developed through NLAP, McDermott attorneys now take on pro bono cases from ALCC, the firm has increased financial sponsorship for fundraising events and Todd has joined the board of directors.

NLAP is one of many successful pro bono programs where the CBF has played an integral role. The inspiration for this program was the Public Interest Law Initiative's "Legal Audit" project, through which teams of law firm and in-house corporate attorneys were organized to conduct comprehensive legal assessments. Recognizing the growth potential of the legal audit project if it had the expert training and support from CEDLP, the CBF convened relevant stakeholders and provided significant funding to launch the NLAP program. As Jody Adler, the Director of NLAP, aptly describes it, “The project provides a great opportunity for firms to use their unique expertise to strengthen Chicago’s nonprofit organizations. With this program, organizations have the tools they need to be strong, efficient organizations serving clients that so desperately need their help.”

For more information on how you can make a difference by volunteering your time, please contact Kelly Tautges, CBF Director of Pro Bono, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312-554-8356.