MINTZ // PRO BONO PORTFOLIO
Driving Change for a Growing Nonprofit
Return to 2024 Pro Bono Portfolio
Mintz’s connection with Roots of Development began in late 2023 with a simple conversation at a gala. Attorney Christopher Harvie spoke with longtime client and Roots’ Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rudy Brioché, who shared the nonprofit’s plans to expand its government advocacy efforts and grow its organizational infrastructure. Chris and attorney Tara Corvo quickly stepped in, offering to help Roots navigate the complexities of public policy while ensuring compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations. This marked the start of a meaningful partnership.
Roots of Development is a US-based nonprofit organization focused on promoting locally led development initiatives in Haiti and elsewhere. Rather than relying on top-down aid models, Roots supports local partners, who, in turn, create sustainable, community-driven results, and the organization has been gaining increasing attention for its approach among policymakers.
As Roots expanded its efforts, and the organization grew and attracted more prominent board members and donors expecting more corporate formality, additional support from Mintz attorneys became crucial, especially regarding employment and corporate governance. In early 2024, attorney Lauren Bergstrom stepped in to help with the formation of essential documents, revamping corporate governance policies, and structuring management processes to better position Roots for organizational growth and expansion of its global footprint.
In the spring, attorney Danielle Bereznay began reviewing employment offer letters, assessing the potential for restrictive covenant agreements, and preparing such contracts for future use to position Roots to successfully grow headcount when it needed to. Danielle also created employment-related templates and answered general employment questions focused on hiring and onboarding independent contractors. Attorney B’anca Glenn joined the team supporting Roots in May 2024, jumping in to assist with drafting a comprehensive set of company policies — ranging from nondiscrimination and anti-harassment to social media use — that are applicable to the nonprofit’s board of directors, officers, employees, and other personnel.
With this dedicated multidisciplinary team in place, Mintz helped position Roots as a leader in sustainable, locally-driven development. In 2023, Roots’ work in the community impacted over 75,000 individuals and provided capacity training to 400 local leaders. Because of this, Roots’ partner in Haiti, Rasin Devlopman, has been able to have a significant impact on La Gonâve, an island off the coast of Haiti. Rasin Devlopman identifies and trains community leaders around the island to put their skills into practice through action plans for their respective communal sections. Rasin also works with local nongovernment organizations and community associations to strengthen local networks and create systemic change. Roots has currently pledged more than $300,000 to the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center.
Mintz’s partnership has empowered Roots of Development to expand its reach, strengthen its infrastructure, and drive sustainable community-led change, to lay the groundwork for long-term growth for the future.
Helping Roots navigate the complexities of its growth has been a truly meaningful experience. I’m proud of the way Mintz came together to help and the work we’ve done and thankful for the opportunity to support an organization making real, lasting change.
Tara M. Corvo, Mintz Member
Our work together has laid the foundation for a resilient team structure, deepening our partnership and enabling Roots to expand thoughtfully and sustainably.
Danielle M. Bereznay, Mintz Associate
I am honored to provide pro bono support for Roots — an organization whose mission is to empower the residents of La Gonave, Haiti, to lead the fight against poverty through sustainable, community-led development efforts.
B’anca Glenn, Mintz Of Counsel
This has been a terrific partnership, enabling us to work closely with a group bringing hope and relief to a place that desperately needs it, and to do so alongside a valued client. Roots’ vision of development without dependency and focus on ground-up assistance to local communities align closely with Mintz’s commitment to use our pro bono resources to support organizations bringing positive change to communities around the country and across the globe.
Christopher J. Harvie, Mintz Member
It was rewarding to contribute my skills and knowledge to enhance Roots’ organizational growth. Our [Mintz’s] work will, in turn, embolden the nonprofit with its existing and future efforts toward local advancement.
Lauren E. Bergstrom, Mintz Associate
As a rapidly growing nonprofit organization, having a powerhouse of expertise and knowledge like Mintz behind us is so meaningful. Their legal advice has been invaluable in creating the systems and documents we need to expand our programs and increase our impact.
Chad Bissonnette, Co-founder and President - Roots of Development
Mintz has integrated into our work and is a steadfast supporter of Roots of Development in every way. We are incredibly grateful to the team for providing us with the knowledge and tools we need to drive the change we are committed to achieving in the world.
Rudy Brioché, Chairman - Roots of Development
International Pro Bono Work
Starting in late 2022, attorneys Rebecca Raphaelson and Kevin Mortimer began advising Partners In Health (PIH) on the design and construction of the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone, Africa. PIH is a nonprofit health organization that fights social injustice by bringing the benefits of modern medical science to the most vulnerable communities around the world. By developing the Center, PIH seeks to ensure that pregnant women of Sierra Leone, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, can look forward to childbirth as a moment to celebrate, not one to fear.
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In 2024, the University of Oxford invited Mintz, one of two US firms, to serve as an expert pro bono contributor to its Climate Policy Monitor, an annual report on global climate regulations. Attorneys Jacob Hupart, Ellen Shapiro, and Will McKitterick, collaborated on Mintz’s submission, focusing on three key areas of US federal government regulation: climate-related disclosure, transition planning, and public procurement. Their analysis will inform the United Nations Secretary General’s Taskforce on Net Zero Policy and was featured at the November 2024 UN Climate Conference.