Firm Announces Pro Bono Project to Aid Laid Off Michigan Employees
Frank Haron Weiner is pleased to announce a new pilot initiative to provide pro-bono (free) and discounted legal consultations to resigned, laid-off, terminated and bought-out Michigan employees seeking legal review and recommendations in connection with (a) termination or severance, buy-out or other similar documents and offers, (b) new business plans, (c) new employment contracts, and (d) related documents.
On a pro bono basis, the firm will provide clients an initial one-hour face-to face legal-audit of the foregoing documents and matters, during which time a firm attorney will explain options, likely outcomes, and other legal rights or obligations to the client. Depending on the complexity and results of the pro-bono legal audit, the firm may conclude the matter at the end of such consultation, or may recommend that the client would benefit from future legal action. In the latter event, the firm will provide the client with additional legal services on the matter(s) discussed during the consultation, which will be available on a discounted basis, with the amount of the discount and the scope of services discussed, and a mutually satisfactory arrangement concluded.
For a three-month pilot period, the firm will provide to clients up to two hours of pro-bono consultations per day (that is an attorney will meet with two clients per day) on an appointment basis on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday mornings. The firm envisions helping about approximately 100 individuals during such period. Depending on the response, the types of inquiries, the amount of follow-up work (which would occupy attorneys time), and the state of the economy, the firm would consider expansion and continuation of the program after the end of the pilot period.
It will be the responsibility of the clients to contact the firm’s office for a short screening telephone call and to set up the appointment, to provide the firm with copies of all appropriate documents in their possession, and in the case of specific questions about business formation, a viable business plan in advance. Without the plan, the firm attorneys could address the general questions one would ask if contemplating a business organization and investment, but the attorneys could not be in the position to suggest viable businesses, review contemplated investments, entity arrangements, etc.
The firm expects that the bulk of the requests will come from long-time employees (who are eligible for severance—and have severance agreements to review, are receiving buy-outs or have accumulated retirement and other funds), but attorneys can also address business owners looking to revamp or reinvent their businesses, as well as those facing other difficulties, such as litigation or business breakups.
Michigan employees fitting the above-described criteria who would like more information about this program should call the firm's office at (248) 952-0400.
On a pro bono basis, the firm will provide clients an initial one-hour face-to face legal-audit of the foregoing documents and matters, during which time a firm attorney will explain options, likely outcomes, and other legal rights or obligations to the client. Depending on the complexity and results of the pro-bono legal audit, the firm may conclude the matter at the end of such consultation, or may recommend that the client would benefit from future legal action. In the latter event, the firm will provide the client with additional legal services on the matter(s) discussed during the consultation, which will be available on a discounted basis, with the amount of the discount and the scope of services discussed, and a mutually satisfactory arrangement concluded.
For a three-month pilot period, the firm will provide to clients up to two hours of pro-bono consultations per day (that is an attorney will meet with two clients per day) on an appointment basis on Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday mornings. The firm envisions helping about approximately 100 individuals during such period. Depending on the response, the types of inquiries, the amount of follow-up work (which would occupy attorneys time), and the state of the economy, the firm would consider expansion and continuation of the program after the end of the pilot period.
It will be the responsibility of the clients to contact the firm’s office for a short screening telephone call and to set up the appointment, to provide the firm with copies of all appropriate documents in their possession, and in the case of specific questions about business formation, a viable business plan in advance. Without the plan, the firm attorneys could address the general questions one would ask if contemplating a business organization and investment, but the attorneys could not be in the position to suggest viable businesses, review contemplated investments, entity arrangements, etc.
The firm expects that the bulk of the requests will come from long-time employees (who are eligible for severance—and have severance agreements to review, are receiving buy-outs or have accumulated retirement and other funds), but attorneys can also address business owners looking to revamp or reinvent their businesses, as well as those facing other difficulties, such as litigation or business breakups.
Michigan employees fitting the above-described criteria who would like more information about this program should call the firm's office at (248) 952-0400.