Pro Bono News

Volunteer Recognition: Thaddeus Hartmann and Randall Doud of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Friday, July 27, 2012

  • Lawyers Alliance
  • Source: New York > Community Development / Nonprofit

Pieces of jewelry from SKIP of New York's Home Collection. Proceeds from Home Collection jewelry sales go to SKIP of New York to help make the dream of home real for thousands of sick and developmentally disabled kids.    

     Pieces of jewelry from SKIP of New York's Home Collection. Proceeds from Home Collection jewelry sales go to SKIP of New York to help make the dream of home real for thousands of sick and developmentally disabled kids.

Date: July 27, 2012
Name of Attorneys: Thaddeus Hartmann and Randall Doud
Name of Firm: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Client Served: SKIP of New York (“SKIP”)


Accomplishment: Created a limited liability company and drafted a memorandum of understanding between SKIP and a manufacturer for co-designed jewelry, generating more funding for SKIP’s programs.

Specific Case Highlights:  SKIP of New York (“SKIP”), a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, helps chronically ill and developmentally disabled children live at home with their families rather than remain in hospitals and institutions. SKIP provides service coordination and advocacy to approximately 3,000 children a year to secure the support they need. Nearly 80% of these children live with families that fall below the poverty line.

As a way of generating more funding for the organization, while promoting its mission, SKIP partnered with New York jewelry manufacturer, Carelle, Ltd. (“Carelle”), to create a line of co-designed jewelry pieces inspired by the SKIP logo.  In February 2011, SKIP originally approached Lawyers Alliance for assistance with drafting a commercial co-venture agreement with Carelle to sell the pieces of jewelry on both parties’ websites.  By that summer, SKIP had successfully sold 25 pieces of jewelry. 

Thaddeus Hartmann and Randall Doud of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP volunteered to assist SKIP with this new venture.  The team drafted a memorandum of understanding to define the terms of the partnership with respect to the jewelry and advised SKIP to form a limited liability company (LLC) to house the venture, given current and anticipated sales volume.  Mr. Hartmann and Mr. Doud then created the LLC, of which SKIP is the sole member, to handle the marketing and sale of the jewelry.  As a result, half of the proceeds from the sale of the jewelry are donated to SKIP to help cover operating and programming expenses, in support of the nonprofit’s mission and services. So far, the jewelry has generated more than $6,500 in revenue for SKIP, with a marketing push planned to stimulate further sales.

Pamela Dey, SKIP’s Director of Development, said, “Thad and Randall were terrific. They took a long view of our situation and dedicated the time to understand what we needed. Our LLC covers the jewelry line, but can also work for any marketing and business endeavors we expand into in the future. The density of detail that Thad dealt with, his follow through, diligence and care for safeguarding SKIP and our mission were incredible. Thad and Randall have given us a strong foundation for our commercial activities.”

About Lawyers Alliance for New York: Lawyers Alliance for New York is the leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations that are improving the quality of life in New York City neighborhoods. By connecting lawyers, nonprofits, and communities, we help nonprofits to develop affordable housing, stimulate economic development, promote community arts, and operate and advocate for vital programs for children and young people, the elderly, and other low-income New Yorkers. Each year, staff attorneys at Lawyers Alliance and more than 1,400 volunteers serve more than 600 clients.


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