Cause Effective. Cause Effective, a nonprofit technical assistance provider co-founded in 1981 by Jeff Trachtman, has taught thousands of other nonprofits how to transform their culture to raise funds, recruit supporters, and become self-sustaining. Jeff, Robert Holtzman, Carole Klinger, and Heather Chase assisted Cause Effective with a range of employment, insurance, corporate, and intellectual property matters.

Center for Social and Emotional Education (CSEE). CSEE is an organization that helps schools integrate crucial social and emotional learning with academic instruction. In doing so, they enhance student performance, prevent dropouts, reduce physical violence and bullying, and develop healthy and positively engaged adults. Stephen Jacobs provided general corporate assistance, including review of standardized documentation with clients and vendors, operating issues, and business advice.

Citta. Citta, a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York, provides assistance to people in marginalized and indigenous communities, with a focus on India and Nepal, primarily by providing health care, building schools, and assisting women to develop job skills and opportunities. John Bessonette, a Board member, and Joshua Little provide general pro bono legal advice.

Hebrew Free Loan Society. In 2007, the firm began a legal assistance program for micro-enterprise borrowers from the Hebrew Free Loan Society, in conjunction with students at Columbia Law School. The Society, of which Ezra Levin is immediate past president, makes interest-free loans to provide a “hand-up” and thereby make a difference in people’s lives. Micro-enterprise borrowers, who form one part of the program, occasionally face legal issues, and firm lawyers work as mentors with Columbia Law students in addressing them. Eric Wise, Alyssa Katz, and Stephanie Restifo have participated in this fledgling program. Lynne Feibelmann and Ezra Levin have assisted in other aspects of the Society and its borrowers’ work.

Ruth Keeler Memorial (North Salem) Library. Allan Reznick and Avram Cahn assisted the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, a New York not-for-profit association, with employee retirement programs and other employee benefits.

Turning the Page. Turning the Page is a nonprofit corporation that links Washington, D.C. public schools, families, and the community to ensure that students receive valuable educational resources and a high-quality public education. Heather Chase assisted in the prosecution of trademark applications.

The Urban Workshop. The Urban Workshop provides high school-age students with academic learning experiences centered around community construction projects. Abe Safdie, Dan Berman, Rebecca Porath, and Melissa Blades are drafting the organization’s formation documents in preparation for applying for 501(c)(3) status.

Wadleigh Scholars Program. The Wadleigh Scholars Program identifies minority students in the 7th and 8th grades who demonstrate excellent academic skills and assists these students in pursuing scholarships to the finest preparatory schools in the United States. The Program was established in 1964 by dedicated teachers at Wadleigh Junior High School located in Harlem. To date, over 400 students have received scholarships to preparatory schools around the country and have gone on to attend colleges and universities. Kramer Levin provides general corporate representation for the Program. The representation entails maintaining the Program’s corporate status, reviewing agreements with third party vendors that provide services to the Program, and reviewing the Program’s annual tax filing with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. In addition, Christopher Auguste, an alumnus of the Program, tutors and mentors scholars who are seeking admission to preparatory schools.

Westchester Cycle Club. Allan Reznick, Helayne Stoopack, and Julia Errea assisted Westchester Cycle Club, Inc. in seeking to obtain tax-exempt status. Westchester Cycle Club is a New York nonprofit corporation formed, among other things, to educate the general public about bicycle safety and the benefits of bicycle riding and to promote bicycle use and development of cycling facilities. The club also collects surplus bicycles for Pedals for Progress, which donates them for use in less developed countries.

Westchester Hoopers. Westchester Hoopers, Inc. is the vision of Bryan Williams, a retired New York police officer. Westchester Hoopers provides athletic instruction and competition to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18, while also taking them on educational and fun outings when they travel to different cities and states for tournaments. Abe Safdie and Jacqueline Grant assisted Westchester Hoopers with forming and incorporating as a New York nonprofit. Natalie Hennessy is assisting with obtaining tax-exempt status.

Windows of Hope. Helayne Stoopack assisted in the creation of Windows of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing aid and future scholarships for survivors of food service workers who died in the September 11th attacks. Helayne continues to advise this organization.

Home: 2007 Pro Bono Report