2024-08-12.jln.0: Resolution DRAFT for Legal Counsel Fees
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Considering SPI no longer has a free as in gratis legal counsel; and

Considering having a paid attorney option provides strategic advantages to SPI and its associated projects, and that SPI purpose is to support its projects collectively, as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation,

RESOLVES

In this resolution, "attorney", "lawyer" and "legal counsel" terms are used interchangeably.

1. Legal fees incurred by projects which require the use of a paid attorney will be billed against the project;
2. If a pro bono attorney offers SPI their services, or withdraw their offer for free services, SPI will inform that at least in the projects mailing list, so the projects may opt for the option more aligned with their goals;
3. Legal fees which can benefit multiple projects, such as templates, will be invoiced against SPI General Fund as is current practice;
4. If SPI decides that consulting a paid attorney is required as part of the process for providing some other service, the project will only be billed with the liaison's acknowledgement;
5. When a project has requested SPI legal counsel, has no assets to cover for it, and SPI has no pro bono lawyers available, SPI will decide administratively to either temporarily refuse the request until a pro bono attorney becomes available, or to sponsor the request with the General Fund.
6. Legal Fees incurred of SPI's interest as a whole, or which cannot be appropriately divided by project, will be billed against SPI general fund.
7. When financial reality allows for it, SPI Treasury or Board may resolve to cover certain low volume, day to day or regular expenses such as trademark renewals with the General Fund.
8. Revoke resolutions 2007-11-14.jdd.1.jb.1 and 2004-09-07.dbg.2