Building Lasting Relationships: TLP Meets Breaking Ground | The ...

TLP?s relationship with Breaking Ground, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, began in 2003 when the organization reached out for assistance with the purchase of a residential building. Breaking Ground had already been providing education, job readiness, and employment services to Chicago?s poverty-stricken North Lawndale community for over a decade, but they used the resources available through TLP to continue to expand their services.

Breaking Ground founder Mark Ennis began rejuvenation efforts in North Lawndale after noticing the dire need for renewal and support in the community. In 1987, Ennis purchased a dilapidated 6-flat in North Lawndale and recruited 4 local high school students to assist with the rehab, but before long the whole neighborhood was involved in the project. Once the building was complete, it became the home to a volunteer-based afterschool mentoring and homework assistance programs.

The organization incorporated as a nonprofit and received 501(c)(3) status in 1992 as BG?s services and programs continued to gain momentum. Since its early days, Breaking Ground has grown into a large-scale job readiness and community development organization, with programs and services focused in and around North Lawndale. Currently, BG?s programs include affordable housing development, job training and placement, and after-school mentoring and tutoring.

TLP?s relationship with Breaking Ground first developed when the organization needed legal assistance with its purchase of a residential building intended to provide transitional housing for ex-offenders who successfully completed their job-readiness program.? BG was so pleased with TLP?s level of service that it continued to reach out to TLP for legal matters. In 2004, TLP arranged pro-bono counsel from Kirkland & Ellis to facilitate BG?s merger with an organization then known as Westside Habitat for Humanity.

Realizing its great need for further legal services, BG then asked TLP to partner their organization with general counsel to assist with legal needs as they arose. Starting in late 2004, Jerry Sherman from SNR Denton stepped up to the plate and began working as BG?s general counsel to assist with ongoing legal matters ? particularly numerous real estate transactions. Additionally, Keith Londo, also from SNR Denton, has been an invaluable resource for BG over the years. Despite an already very full billable workload, Keith worked tirelessly for BG on a number of matters, including land acquisition and construction financing.

Jeff Dennis, BG?s Executive Director, says that this relationship with the general counsel has been ?like gold,? and BG now has access to ?excellent counsel whenever we need it.? Jerry Sherman also praises the relationship, stating that he has been ?absolutely delighted with the opportunity that TLP afforded to my firm and to me with respect to Breaking Ground.? Jerry?s commitment to BG runs deep ? in addition to acting as general counsel, he also became a board member. Jerry says this is an opportunity he would not otherwise have had, and he is grateful to TLP and to BG for adding this dimension to his career.

TLP has continued to be a vital resource for BG when unique legal problems arise. In July 2011, BG sought TLP?s help with a tax matter on 70 homes that BG had constructed and sold on the West Side on vacant land donated by the City. A tax issue arose when Cook County began charging taxes based on a disputed valuation method. TLP connected BG with Thomas Sweeney, a volunteer attorney from Katten Muchin Rosenman. Thomas engaged with the County on this issue, and got the County to agree to a more reasonable valuation method for determining the taxes owed. BG has an ongoing relationship with Thomas as these issues continue to arise.

Recently, BG has become involved in litigation in California over an Operating Lease. BG?s pro bono general counsel had been handling the matter, but now a contact was needed for pro bono assistance in California. TLP stepped in and connected BG with a pro bono firm in Orange County that will handle the matter for BG. Jeff Dennis says that being able to call TLP whenever there is a problem and connect them to pro bono counsel has been ?invaluable.?

?

Source: http://www.thelawproject.org/2013/01/building-lasting-relationships-tlp-meets-breaking-ground/

buffett rule lollapalooza lineup joss whedon ronnie montrose melissa gilbert dancing with the stars dandelion wine cough