The 103rd Precinct Community Council has worked for more than 30 years to promote positive interactions between residents of Jamaica, Queens and the New York Police Department. The organization works to improve quality of life in the community by operating crime prevention programs and hosting events for neighborhood children.

The 103rd Precinct Community Council reached out to NYLPI last year seeking legal assistance to receive tax-exempt status. The Pro Bono Clearinghouse connected the organization with Laura Olch Rosenblum and Mark Sellinger of McDermott Will & Emery LLP.

This tax-exemption case, however, presented unique challenges. The organization was not newly-formed and thus could not easily be categorized into one of the IRS' prescribed types of tax-exempt organizations. Laura, the lead attorney on the case, addressed this challenge with energy and commitment and was essential in helping the 103rd Precinct Community Council navigate the complex submission process. Mark Sellinger, who supervised the matter, says that Laura was diligent throughout the process, meticulously sifting through the Council's records to gather and organize the large amount of information needed for the filing. "After so much work, I was so pleased that we got a positive outcome on the submission!" says Laura.

Donna Clopton, Director of the 103rd Precinct Community Council, is extremely grateful to Laura and acknowledges her depth of expertise. "She was absolutely wonderful--someone who was able to weed through the noise that we came aboard with and make sense of it all. We were laughing and almost screaming as we told the executive board and community attendees that we received the status on the first submission! This happened only because of Laura. We could not have chosen anyone better," Donna says.

NYLPI is proud to have facilitated this mutually rewarding partnership and we look forward to many more!