ProJourn’s Legal Checkup process is a one-hour meeting with an attorney to discuss your organization’s legal needs in a range of areas. Each Checkup results in a list of goals to help your organization mitigate legal risk. As a result of their Legal Checkup last year, The Connecticut Mirror Publisher and CEO Bruce Putterman decided to engage in a board process to review and refresh the organization’s bylaws. Since nonprofit laws vary from state to state, Bruce knew he needed a Connecticut attorney to assist. ProJourn connected Bruce and his team with Russ Anderson, member at Pullman & Comley, who agreed to conduct the bylaws review in a pro bono capacity.

The initiative was two-fold. First, CT Mirror needed to bring the bylaws into compliance with any changes in law over the past 15 years. Second, the bylaws needed additions to reflect the current functioning of the organization.

Putterman reflected, “I was delighted and frankly, pleasantly surprised with how smooth the ProJourn process was, from their identifying and engaging a local attorney from a highly regarded firm, to how promptly our attorney reviewed our bylaws, to the clarity of and rationale for his recommended adjustments, to his willingness to respond to several rounds of questions from me.”

“Our board appreciated the thoroughness of the review, adopted the revised bylaws on the first pass, and is that much more confident about how we are positioned in this uncertain time for journalism organizations, particularly nonprofit journalism organizations.”

Bruce Putterman, Publisher and CEO, CT Mirror

If you’re interested in having your bylaws reviewed on a pro bono basis, but you are not yet a member of ProJourn, you may learn more about our eligibility guidelines here or reach out to projourn@rcfp.org to learn more.

About ProJourn client The Connecticut Mirror:

Launched in 2010, The Connecticut Mirror is the state’s trusted source for in-depth news and reporting on public policy, government and politics. CT Mirror is nonprofit, non-partisan, and digital only. Its mission is to produce original, in-depth, non-partisan journalism that informs Connecticut residents about the impact of public policy, holds government accountable, and engages and amplifies diverse voices and perspectives.

About ProJourn partner law firm Pullman & Comley:

For more than 100 years, Pullman & Comley has earned a reputation as a leading provider of legal services, serving clients throughout Connecticut, the Northeast, and internationally. Pullman & Comley’s commitment to pro bono work reflects the firm’s long tradition of legal excellence and public service.