FREEDOM BUSINESS ALLIANCE
Freedom Business Alliance (FBA) is a global network that creates business solutions to fight human trafficking. FBA members are businesses (Freedom Businesses) that provide employment opportunities to survivors and those at risk around the world.
FBA is an industry facilitator for its 130+ members in over 30 different countries, providing 2000+ jobs.
Sustainable employment offers a path to economic independence, enabling survivors to rebuild their lives. Moreover, secure and fair employment practices support the trauma-recovery process and reduce the risk of revictimization by offering an alternative to exploitation.
Organizational priorities include advancing research to inform best practices, providing targeted training for FBA businesses, and raising awareness to mobilize global action. FBA’s program design involves collaborating with stakeholders, developing resources such as the Freedom Business Code of Excellence, and facilitating events to educate and engage businesses and communities.
PRO BONO ATTORNEY NETWORK
FBA created the Freedom Business Pro Bono Attorney Network (PBAN) to help Freedom Businesses address legal questions and concerns. PBAN is composed of volunteer attorneys in the U.S. across different practice areas and jurisdictions. These attorneys are available to provide pro bono legal aid when a Freedom Business seeks legal advice. FBA has established a vetting procedure before an attorney is added to the network, as well as a procedure for reviewing a Freedom Business’ legal request prior to submitting it to the volunteer attorneys.
The legal needs of Freedom Businesses comprise the following:
• Structuring business operations.
• Setting up for-profit and nonprofit components in the U.S.
• Filing incorporation and/or registration paperwork.
• Qualifying for tax-exempt status as a nonprofit.
• Developing a corporate governance structure.
• Obtaining visas for immigrants.
• Navigating local and state taxes.
• Complying with employment law and practices.
• Protecting intellectual property.
The objective of FBA is to broaden PBAN to encompass international attorneys to assist Freedom Businesses with legal matters on a global scale. As a first step, FBA is focused on expanding the number of attorneys in the network in the U.S. Raising awareness of this pro bono opportunity is necessary for this initiative to succeed.
