COMMUNITY SUPPORT
In 2022, Jenner & Block lawyers provided essential support to individuals and organizations in different communities. From finalizing adoptions for foster children to conducting research focused on improving mental health services for children and advising nonprofits on their applications for tax exempt status, our lawyers’ transactional work helped make a difference in the lives of many.
Partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago Empowers Chicagoland Communities
The United Way of Metro Chicago (UWMC) takes on some of the biggest challenges facing the city and suburbs, and a novel partnership between UWMC and Jenner & Block provides critical support. UWMC President and CEO Sean Garrett, Co-Managing Partner Randy Mehrberg, and Partner Andrew Vail discuss the benefits for both organizations from Andrew’s service as UWMC’s first pro bono general counsel.
211 Launches in Chicago, with Firm’s Pro Bono Support
A free new service is available for Chicagoans in need of social and health services. Jenner & Block’s pro bono partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago, including Andrew Vail’s role as pro bono General Counsel, assisted United Way’s collaboration and partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County to bring 211 Metro Chicago to Chicagoland.
2-1-1, which connects individuals in need of assistance with guidance via phone, text, web chat, and online database search, is available 24/7 for all Cook County residents. 2-1-1 can help residents connect with a variety of resources such as food, housing, utility payment assistance, and other free-to-low-cost health and social services.
A team of lawyers from multiple practices has provided hundreds of hours of specialized work to assist United Way on issues including corporate formation and structure, government contracts, employment considerations, data/privacy counseling, vendor agreements, and governance, among other matters. And the work continues.
The team’s work is led by Partner Pete Rosenbaum, who has been working with Andrew and the United Way team for over a year on legal and related strategy in connection with the partnership to launch 211. That work has included significant contributions from Co-Managing Partner Randy Mehrberg (who also serves on the United Way Board); Partners Jeremy Casper, Kevin Collins, Shoba Pillay, David Robbins, Emma Sullivan, Anna Meresidis, Rob Rawn, and Sheila Kailus; Of Counsel Don Resnick; and Associates Abe Salander, Bill Erlain, Tyler Westrich, Solana Gillis, Jensen Troup, and Allyssa Milam. Senior Paralegal Mike Hughes supported the effort along with all of the firm’s United Way work.
211 Metro Chicago was launched on January 27, 2023, at a special press conference featuring Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, United Way of Metro Chicago President & CEO Sean Garrett, and attended by Andrew. The press conference was covered by Chicago local media.
From Rural Nepal to the US, Teams Champion Improving Pediatric and Maternal Health Care
For too many people in the US and abroad, access to vital health care is sadly lacking.
In rural Nepal, women face a shortage of midwives, endangering them and their babies. In fact, maternal mortality is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Nepal.
Partners Gail Morse and Suedeen Kelly helped form a nonprofit entity, Nepal Midwifery Corps, to improve access to midwifery services by assisting with their application for tax exempt status with the IRS. This new organization is raising money to provide scholarships to midwifery schools. In exchange for the scholarships, recipients agree to practice in rural areas for two years.
Closer to home, our lawyers stepped up for children with mental health needs, a serious problem in the United States that has been exacerbated by the isolation and stress of the pandemic.
On behalf of client Inseparable and 17 other organizations that partnered to form the Hopeful Futures Campaign, a dedicated team of Jenner & Block lawyers researched state legislation impacting Inseparable’s policy priority areas to determine states with the greatest need of change to improve mental health services for children in grades K-12 in 45 states. That research was published by Hopeful Futures Campaign in America’s School Mental Health Report Card, rating state policies across eight core areas and making state-specific recommendations for improvement. The report card was covered by news outlets including NPR and USA Today.
The campaign also launched a new website where students, parents, and advocates can learn about the policies in their state as well as contact policymakers to advocate for change. As a result, Alabama, Delaware, and Illinois have taken action to improve pediatric mental health care.
The team included Partners Carissa Coze, Emily Savner, Alex Smith, and Joe Torres; Special Counsel Danny Chami; Associates Karolina Bartosik, Sophia Cai, Jenna Conwisar, Allison Douglis, Kate Fintel, Deanna Krokos, Mary Marshall, Lawrence McMahon, Eric Petry, Jessica Sawadogo, Annie Schoenfeldt, Madeline Skitzki, Jonathan Steinberg, Tyler Westrich, Bill Williams, and Eric Wolff; and Discovery Attorneys Chuck Downs and Matt Par. Legal Assistant Elizabeth Visick assisted and Partner Gail Morse led the project.
Environmental Nonprofits Join Forces as a Regional Powerhouse to Battle Climate Change
Faith in Place (FIP) advances environmental and racial justice and, for more than five years, Jenner & Block has represented FIP on solar initiatives, corporate transactions, and matters involving human resources, copyright, government procurement, and taxes.
In 2022, the firm guided FIP on its acquisition of Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light and Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light. The transaction marked the first time that FIP had expanded its operational footprint outside of Illinois, allowing FIP to strengthen its environmental advocacy, education, and project-based community work across all three states.
Jenner & Block’s work was key to making the tri-state partnership a reality, said Rev. Brian Sauder, FIP’s president and executive director.
“I’m always amazed and grateful at how quickly they can help us with complicated issues. Their team consistently brings us clear solutions that allow us to move forward advancing our mission with confidence. As one important example, the legal framework they provided for us to further partner with two other nonprofits in two other states, through an acquisition with both, is increasing our impact to create cleaner environments and healthier communities across the three states,” he said.
And the mission is critical, particularly in the Midwest. A press release from FIP explained that this area of the US “is already experiencing the impacts of climate change with increased temperatures, heat waves, and flooding.”
In September 2022, FIP honored Jenner & Block with its “Volunteer of the Year” award for pro bono service, not just on the acquisition but for various matters over the years. The firm’s multi-disciplinary team representing FIP has included Partners Michelle McAtee, Gail Morse, Julie Shepard, Steve Siros, and Emma Sullivan, Special Counsel Nathan Castellano, and Associates Bill Erlain, Katherine Funderburg, and Aime Joo.
Chicago Youth Program participants enjoy biking in a local forest preserve.
Outreach staff in Indiana provide environmental educational resources at a local event.
Jenner & Block Wins Award for Commitment to Housing Forward’s Mission of Ending Homelessness
Housing Forward aims to end homelessness and focuses on prevention, rapid response, and stabilization. Jenner & Block has maintained a relationship for more than 15 years with Housing Forward, providing real estate assistance as well as general corporate and tax advice, worth more than $1,000,000 in pro bono legal fees.
Housing Forward came to Partner Michelle McAtee nearly two years ago and asked her to assist with the acquisition and development of land in Broadview, Illinois. The plan was to turn a vacant lot into a four-story permanent housing development for its clients. Assisted by Partner Sheila Kailus and Paralegal Katya Lewandowska, Michelle and team has been working and negotiating with the entire client team, including its architect and its general contractor, as well as with the Illinois Housing Department Authority and Cook County. The project is scheduled to close later this winter, with construction to commence as soon thereafter as possible. This site will provide much needed permanent housing to Chicago’s homeless population.
In light of Michelle’s commitment to Housing Forward, the firm’s long-standing relationship with the organization, and the real estate team’s monumental efforts with the Broadview housing project, Michelle and her team received Housing Forward’s “Corporate Partner of the Year” award at its 24th annual Have a Heart Gala.
Transforming Children’s Lives through Adoption
Our lawyers change children’s lives by finalizing the adoption of foster children in loving, permanent families.
Since 2014, Partner Kirsten Spira and the Alliance for Children’s Rights have joined forces to guide foster parents through the bureaucratic process on the way to successful adoptions. These cases involve children of all ages and from a variety of difficult situations, all of whom have been placed in a foster situation where the foster parent or parents want to adopt them.
The stories are heartwarming. Everly, whose incarcerated mom gave her up, is now the child of a schoolteacher who sobbed when she received the adoption order, overwhelmed by her good fortune. Siblings Taniah and Zy’Riah were adopted into a family that already had three children, and their adoption meant they joined a troop of children led by a mom who spends her considerable energy and drive organizing sports practices, coaching teams, and enforcing strict homework rules. A 17-year-old officially became the son of his aunt, the only parent he had ever known.
To bring about these happy endings, our lawyers draft the paperwork and represent the adoptive foster parents at court for the formal adoption hearing. Each year, our lawyers and Los Angeles office-based summer associates (supervised by firm lawyers) finalize more than a half dozen adoptions.
Jenner & Block Teams Up with Chicago Nonprofit in the Development of New Community Center
Bright Star Community Outreach is a nonprofit organization tackling challenges particularly in Chicago’s greater Bronzeville neighborhood. Bright Star’s mission is to create programs that address the need for community engagement, economic development, violence prevention, and healthy children and families.
In 2022, the team, led by Partner Sarah Weiss, provided Bright Star counseling and guidance in a variety of areas. Partner Sheila Kailus and Associate Allyssa Milam assisted with real estate counseling while Partner Gail Morse provided tax counseling. Partner Daniel Weiss along with Associates Abe Salander and Samantha Swartz provided real estate litigation and transactional representation.
Pastor Chris Harris, the founder and CEO of Bright Star, said, “In most cases, community-based and faith-based organizations cannot afford the essential legal representation and services needed to operate and remain viable. Jenner & Block’s team has already shown tremendous commitment to our organization, community, and mission. This allows us to focus on our mission and save lives in our community. I and our entire team are truly grateful for this partnership.”