b'COLLABORATING TO END HUNGERWith one in eight Americans unable to accessAttorneySusanNeubergerWeller,basedin enough good food to sustain a healthy lifestyle,Mintzs Washington, DC office, has worked with foodbanksprovideavitalservice.InEasternGBFB to trademark everything from its logo to Massachusetts, people who might otherwise gonames for its sub-brands, such as Click N Cook, hungry or be undernourished can find healthy,a website offering simple, healthy recipes. She isThe Greater Boston free food at more than 500 soup kitchens, foodcurrently handling eight registered trademarksFood Bank is proud pantries,mealprograms,seniorcenters,andfor GBFB and two pending applications. otheragenciesthatpartnerwithTheGreaterto have partnered Boston Food Bank (GBFB). I honestly think its every professional persons obligationtofindawaytogivebacktotheirwith Mintz for Lastyear,GBFBdistributednearly62community, said Susan, who has worked withdecades. Were millionpoundsofnutritiousfoodfromitsmany of the firms pro bono clients. Im happyfortunate to have 117,000-square-foot warehouse in South Boston.toworkwithorganizationslikeTheGreater The organizations vision is to end hunger in theBostonFoodBankwhichprovidessuchone of the premier area by providing individuals in need with theimportant services to the publicto protect theirlaw firms in our area equivalent of three meals a day by 2028. intellectual property assets, she said.Mintz has provided GBFB with pro bono legalAnonprofitreliesprimarilyondonations,sorepresent and protect services since 1991, and today the organizationits important to have a strong, protected brandour brand, and we is one of Mintzs largest pro bono clients. Lastand sub-brands so people dont give to the wrongvalue their teams year,attorneysadvisedGBFBoncorporateorganization by mistake, Susan explained. Thatcapabilities with governance, real estate, trademark, health law,happens frequently in the nonprofit arena.litigation,andotherissues.AttorneyReenaAttorneysEmmaFollansbeeandBrendaneach interaction. Thadhani coordinates the teams work. LowdcounselGBFBonemploymentmatters.Thanks to our Reena first got to know GBFB in 1994 when sheWithwellover100employeesincludingbothcollaboration every workedatMintzandvolunteeredwithotherofficeworkersandwarehousepersonnelsummerassociatestoboxfood.Todayshethefoodbankregularlyencountersaday we are able regularlyattendsGBFBboardmeetings.Itisvarietyofcomplexissuesrelatedtoleavesto continue our such a privilege to work with the GBFB team as itofabsence,disabilityaccommodations,and works to fulfill the organizations mission to endemployment terminations.work to end hunger hunger, Reena said.Bothattorneysenjoyworkinginclosecontacthere in Eastern ReenaalsocollaborateswithMintzattorneywith GBFBs HR director and the organizationsMassachusetts.Steve Weiner on governance issues. The Greaterteam.Itsverysatisfyingtofacechallenges Boston Food Bank is committed to meeting thetogetherandcollaboratetodevelopeffectiveCATHERINE DAMATObest standards in governance, and we work withsolutions, Emma said.President & CEOits team to make sure that theyre able to achieveThe Greater Boston that goal, Steve said. Every year, Steve providesIn the interplay of what the law requires andFood Bankanin-persontrainingsessionfornewboardwhat the client can do, GBFB always goes above membersonfiduciaryresponsibilitiesunderandbeyondforitsemployees,Brendansaid, Massachusetts nonprofit law, and he is workingand its gratifying to support the organizations with the board to revise its governance policiesincredible work.and streamline the flow of its meetings. PERSPECTIVES // Mintz Pro Bono Journal 9'