Schnader Attorneys Assist Area Big Brother Big Sister Branches with Successful Merger
On July 15, 2008 by Schnader in LitigationCherry Hill, NJ – July 15, 2008 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Camden & Gloucester Counties and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington County announced they have officially merged as of July 1, 2008 and have become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties (“BBBS”).
As affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, these two local non-profits have joined together to continue to grow their successful youth mentoring programs. Following 18 months of discussions and strategic planning, the new agency will now serve more than 800 youth per year, with a goal to mentor 1,200 youth by 2012.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP provided Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Camden & Gloucester Counties with legal counsel and guidance on best practices for non-profits. Schnader attorneys assisted Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Camden & Gloucester Counties by performing due diligence, and navigating state non-profit and federal tax law which enabled them to merge with its Burlington County counterpart by the July 1st target date.
“The team from Schnader led us through this process, helped overcome roadblocks, and allowed us to stay focused on serving kids,” stated Robert Jakubowski, CEO of BBBS of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.
“Schnader has a long history of pro bono service and contributing to the community, and we are very proud to have helped a hard working non-profit like Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Camden and Gloucester Counties,” commented Walter Ferst, Chair of the Business Services Department at Schnader. “We hope and expect that this merger will allow BBBS to better serve the children and young adults of southern New Jersey and help them to continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the region’s kids.”
Jakubowski said the agency is now headquartered in Cherry Hill which is a central location for the geographic area served by the organization. He stated that the merger of the two organizations will create a stronger infrastructure and will give the agency the ability to reach more children who are in need of services.
The mission of BBBS is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, mutually rewarding, one-to-one mentoring relationships with positive role models and with a measurable impact.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP is a law firm of 200 attorneys with offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, California, Washington, DC, New Jersey, and Delaware. Schnader serves local, national and international clients ranging from large corporations to start-ups and entrepreneurs to individual clients in more than 40 areas of the law. Schnader has an especially strong tradition of pro bono and community service, in the Philadelphia region and beyond, and has a growing practice to support non-profit and charitable organizations. For example, in southern New Jersey, in addition to supporting BBBS, the Firm has done significant work for the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey and has been honored with that organization’s President’s Award for their work and dedication.
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CONTACT: Caroline M. Brobeil
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
Phone: (215)-751-2061
Robert Jakubowski
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties
Phone: (856)-616-2340