Page 13 - Katten Annual Pro Bono Review

2016 Katten Pro Bono Service Awards Recipient

David prepared his client’s trademark applications, which “I feel privileged to have had the training
were initially denied by the US Patent and Trademark I’ve received over my career as a labor and
Office due to a potential conflict with an existing third- employment attorney and, in particular,
party mark. Along with Intellectual Property attorney from my years at Katten working with
Jessica Garrett, David made substantive arguments as so many smart lawyers. Being able to
to why there was no likelihood of confusion between lend my help to individuals and nonprofit
his client’s mark and the existing third-party mark, organizations with labor and employment
overturning the initial refusal and securing a federal needs is the least I can do to give back.”
registration. Bright Sun Naturals, our client’s body care

line, is now up and running. — Nineveh Alkhas
Special Counsel

In addition, our New York attorneys work with nonprofit

organizations such as NYC Business Solutions and Start Small Think Big in helping a variety of small businesses—

from coffee shops to computer software developers—with intellectual property matters, employment issues

and corporate structuring, including forming business entities and preparing corporate governance documents.

In Chicago, the pro bono clients of Janet Goelz Hoffman, a Government and Public Finance partner, benefit
greatly from her long history of representing a wide variety of nonprofit universities, cultural institutions,
and health care and senior living systems as part of her billable practice. Leveraging her keen ability to spot
potential problem areas in nonprofits’ operations and bylaws documentation, she helps pro bono clients
avoid the “traps for the unwary” that are often buried in complicated sets of rules and requirements, which
have the potential to cause accidental noncompliance and adverse consequences. Janet also helps them take
advantage of being a tax-exempt organization. “I take great joy in using my more than 35 years of experience
with corporate tax, securities and secured transaction matters to enable a nonprofit organization to do
something that has a deep public purpose,” shared Janet.

Our London attorneys maintain an active pro bono practice in the transactional space as well. Corporate
attorney Philip Watkins had no idea when he attended a meeting with Torquil Norman, a pro bono client at
a former firm, in a construction trailer next to a run-down building called The Roundhouse in the Camden
area of the city in 1996, that much, if anything, would materialize with Torquil’s ambitious plans. The building
would not only be restored several years later to its former glory as a music venue but also turned into a
thriving creative center to help young people who have been marginalized or disadvantaged find pathways
back into education and work or simply to experience a wider cultural life. Philip has now spent the last 20
years providing pro bono counsel to the charity organization that Torquil (now Sir Torquil) founded and
also serves as its general counsel. Philip spearheads the Katten team’s work for The Roundhouse Trust,
which includes advising on corporate governance, contractual arrangements for venue hire and performing
artist agreements, finance arrangements, and real estate development. “I am continually impressed by the
incredible talents of the young people at The Roundhouse,” explained Philip. “They inspire me.”

KATTEN MUCHIN ROSENMAN LLP: annual PRO BONO REVIEW | 13