Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What Is Being Committed?
       This Firm’s contribution of professional services on subjects and issues this Firm and _______________ (“Organization“) feel this Firm can be helpful.  Subject to certain limitations, the subjects and issues can be in any or all of the following three areas: (l) legal, (2) strategic planning, and (3) financial.

Q.  Who is the Client?
      The Organization

Q.  How does the Organization know whom to call at The Firm and for what matters?
      Ask for any Firm professional or Mrs. Kirsten D. Varouh, the Executive Director for the Civic Initiative.

Q.  What is the next step?
      Call when there is a need.

Q.  What are The Firm’s expectations of the Organization?
      See “The Firm’s Goals In Each Client Relationship” that the Firm already provided the Organization.

      There are a couple the Firm wants to highlight in particular: (1) the Firm will need the commitment of the professional head of the Organization to meet quarterly with a representative of the Firm, and (2) the Firm will need the commitment of the Chair or President of the Board to meet semi-annually during the commitment period with a representative of the Firm.

Q.  What are The Firm’s goals during the commitment?
      See “The Firm’s Goals In Each Client Relationship” that the Firm already provided the Organization.

Q.  Can the organization be considered for the Civic Initiative in future years?
      Yes, but renewals are reviewed in the same manner as a new nomination.

Q.  What if commitment period ends and the organization is in the middle of a crisis?
      Subject to the Firm’s new Civic Initiative commitments at that time, the Firm will not walk away in the middle of a crisis for the Organization if there is no alternative assistance. 

 Legal Needs

Q.  What kinds of legal matters will not be part of The Firm’s commitment?
      The commitment covers everything except for what the Firm refers to as “project” work.   The commitment will not include “project” work.

Q.  What kinds of legal matters have been "project work" in the past?
      The Organization should not presume or prejudge the Firm's decision. The Civic Initiative, by philosophy, tries to be inclusive not exclusive.  Generically, “project work” has included, but not always, disputes and claims that result in serious litigation.  

Q.  How will the Organization know when the matter is or has become a "project?"
      The Firm will let the Organization know and discuss with the Organization the Firm's thoughts on how the Organization should proceed with the "project."

Q.  Role of existing outside counsel.
      The Firm requests that the Organization inform existing Outside Counsel of the Firm’s role and involvement and the scope of the commitment.

Q.  Even Though The Organization Will Not Be Billed For Professional Services, Will The Organization Receive Periodic Summaries Of The Matters With Which The Firm Has Assisted? 
      Yes.  Quarterly, the Firm will try to provide the professional and volunteer leadership of the Organization a narrative invoice showing "Total Amount Due: $0" and what the Firm's "Suggested Value Of Services" would have been but for the Civic Initiative. The organization received a sample of the invoice form in the Firm materials that were forwarded to the organization.

Q.  What about Firm out-of-pocket costs and disbursements?
      The Firm materials you received indicate that the Firm only bills clients for material and not routine disbursements. The Organization would be treated the same way.

Q.  What if the Organization does not have existing outside counsel?
      Not an issue until there is a need.

      See next question.

Q.  What If An Issue Comes Up Or There Is A Need And The Firm Feels It Needs The Assistance Of Outside Counsel? 
      During the history of the Firm’s Civic Initiative, this has only occurred several times.

      The Firm would ask for the Organization’s authority to: (1) use existing Outside Counsel, understanding the Organization would be billed by Outside Counsel, or (2) choose another outside law firm to help.

Q.  If Outside Counsel Has To Be Involved, What Role Does The Firm Play?  Will The Firm Help To Manage And Coordinate The Use Of Outside Counsel?
      In essence, the Firm, at that point, plays the role of volunteer “in house counsel.” The Firm’s commitment includes managing: (1) Outside Counsel; (2) the resolution of the matter; (3) the decisions to be made; (4) minimizing the intrusion of the issue on the time with tactics and strategies and attention the management team spends on operations; (5) quality control; (6) the paperwork; and (7) the budget for Outside Counsel.

Q.  Does outside counsel ever respond to The Firm’s commitment by offering to make the same commitment?
      Every now and then, it happens.  When it does, the Firm is delighted.  The Firm’s focus is getting the Organization’s needs met and problems solved.  If the Firm can be a catalyst for another law firm to make a similar commitment to the Organization, the Firm will have “done its job.”

 Strategic Planning Needs

Q.  What kinds of strategic planning matters are frequently included within each commitment?
      Review and commenting on the strategic plan, observing at strategic planning sessions, assisting in the refinement of the expression of the strategic plan, mergers, consolidations, joint ventures, etc.

Q.  What kinds of strategic planning matters will not be part of The Firm’s commitment?
      Drafting the strategic plan and facilitating the strategic planning process.

Q.  Can a firm professional serve on the board of a Civic Initiative client? 
      No, because of the conflict of interest the Firm has with respect to each of the Firm’s other Civic Initiative clients.

 Financial Needs

 Q.  What kinds of financial matters will not be part of The Firm’s commitment?
      Accounting questions and issues, fund raising, making financial contributions, identification of specific contributors or sources of contributions, and review and advice on solicitation of specific contribution prospect.  The principal reason for most of the exclusions is the conflict of interest the Firm has with respect to each of the Firm’s other Civic Initiative clients. 

Other

 Q.  Is the commitment a contract?
      No, just an offer to be helpful so long as the Firm is able to.

 Q.  What kinds of developments could make The Firm’s assistance unavailable?
      Acquisition by another law firm, loss of certain Firm professionals for any reason, decline in number of referrals of new fee paying clients, etc.