Christopher Pfefferle and Jessica Bumpous, and Law Clerk Esther Chan, provided pro bono legal research assistance for Tahirih’s Forced Marriage Initiative. This initiative aims to develop a national response to the problem of forced marriage in immigrant communities in the United States that will enable women and girls to safely resist or escape forced marriages. US-Georgia Friendship Association US-Georgia Friendship Association is an organization founded to strengthen the friendship and deepen the cultural and professional ties between the people of the United States and the country of Georgia and to assist the poor and distressed in Georgia. Anthony Hubbard, Eddie Rodriguez, and Katy Ward assisted the organization with its incorporation as a California nonprofit and helped the founder adopt its bylaws, constitute its board, and apply for 501(c)(3) status. Volunteer Lawyers Project: Chapter 7 Initiative To help the rapidly increasing number of low-income individuals who need a fresh start in the wake of the recent recession, Mintz Levin has been working with the Volunteer Lawyers Project to provide pro bono representation to clients seeking consumer debt relief through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Numerous individuals—including attorneys Ella Shenhav, Adrienne Walker, Kevin Walsh, Legal Specialist Jackie Cannata, and numerous Summer Associates— have helped lead many low-income clients toward financial independence. In one recent case, a client had accumulated significant credit-card debt after a cancer diagnosis and treatment left her unable to work. With Adrienne’s help, she was able to obtain bankruptcy relief. West Roxbury Main Streets West Roxbury Main Streets is a nonprofit organization created under the Boston Main Streets program that promotes and enhances the West Roxbury business district. For the past couple of years, Andy Dean has served on the board of directors and acted as general counsel for West Roxbury Main Streets. Andy’s responsibilities as general counsel included drafting amended bylaws, maintaining regulatory compliance with various governmental agencies, negotiating the lease of new office space, and serving as a panelist for local businesses to discuss commercial leasing considerations. Wildlands Trust Wildlands Trust is a 501(c)(3) land trust whose mission is to permanently protect and steward important habitats and rural landscapes in southeastern Massachusetts. Mintz Levin attorneys including Peter Demuth, Garrett Winslow, and Tavis Morello, Legal Specialist Courtney Krupinsky, and current board member Allan Caggiano have worked closely with the Wildlands Trust for years, most recently providing general corporate and real estate advice as well as counsel on tax and related legal issues. Young Men’s & Young Women’s Hebrew Association of the Bronx Riverdale The mission of the Young Men’s & Young Women’s Hebrew Association of the Bronx Riverdale (Riverdale Y) is to offer social, cultural, educational, health, and wellness programs to members of all ages in the local community, including services to low-income individuals. In 2011, Andy Roth, Sarah Lowe, and Jeff Moerdler assisted the organization in establishing a formal legal relationship with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Riverdale. Peter Miller assisted with issues relating to its endowment funds. Stephen Friedberg prepared a construction contract for work to be done at the Riverdale Y. Jack Marsh and Jeff prepared updated forms of liability waivers. Jennifer DiMarco and Jeff advised the organization on employment issues. Additional Pro Bono Highlights from 2011