Standing with small businesses and nonprofits

DLA Piper is committed to supporting small businesses and nonprofit organizations through impactful pro bono work across local, national, and global communities.

Honoring a legacy and raising funds for pediatric cancer research

Following the loss of their daughter to colorectal cancer, the Smith family sought to establish a charity golf tournament in her memory.

Partner Frank Ikonero Mugabi and Associate Justin Shapiro (both New York) assisted the family in crafting a fiscal sponsorship agreement, which enables smaller or new charitable initiatives to operate under the umbrella of an existing tax-exempt organization, reducing administrative burdens. Attorney Eugenia Schontag (Chicago) supported the effort by conducting a trademark search and advising on the availability of the chosen tournament name.

The Smith family succeeded in hosting the charity tournament, raising more than $100,000 to support pediatric cancer research and a scholarship fund.

“The project was straightforward but extremely rewarding. I had never negotiated a fiscal sponsorship agreement before, but I was able to use my legal skills to help our community through this meaningful pro bono work. It is a privilege to be a lawyer at DLA Piper, and pro bono work allows me to use my experience to benefit others.”

– Associate Justin Shapiro (New York)

Advising a youth-serving nonprofit on building a permanent facility

Partner John E. Rattigan Jr., Associate Oriana Montani, Partner Mary Hagedorn, and Associate George Lilov (all Boston) advised SquashBusters on the construction of a new facility in Lawrence, Massachusetts as part of a low-income housing development. The facility supports the organization’s mission to provide youth access to competitive squash, college counseling, and academic assistance programs. The team’s contributions were recognized at the facility’s grand opening in December 2024.

Supporting small businesses in Ukraine

Our nonprofit affiliate New Perimeter worked with the Uzhhorod National University Faculty of Law to establish a legal clinic offering pro bono legal assistance to Ukrainian small businesses. Through the clinic, a team of DLA Piper lawyers has provided interactive, virtual trainings on pro bono and access-to-justice practices for law students at Uzhhorod.