The Legal Aid Society

“Premali shah, cfo, left the legal aid society (las) in fiscal year 2024. In her absence, las engaged 1330 consulting llc (the company) for cfo and other finance services. In calendar year 2023, las compensated the company $197,639 for the cfo and other finance services rendered.”

“The legal aid society is made up of classes of members consisting of individuals, law firms, corporate members, and law students, which are based on contribution amounts that are documented in the by-laws.”

“Each member registered on the legal aid society's records fifty days prior to a meeting of the members is entitled to one vote on each issue presented at such meeting. At each annual meeting of the members, the members are required to elect a class of directors. The members may, but are not required to, approve the following governance decisions: (1) fill any vacancy on the board of directors; (2) determine the number of directors on the board of directors; and (3) amend the by-laws of the legal aid society. Under the new york not-for-profit corporation law, the members of a not-for-profit corporation are required to approve certain major decisions, such as a decision to dissolve the corporation or merge it with another entity, but the society does not believe that such major decisions that require a vote of the members as a matter of state law involve "governance decisions" within the meaning of question 7b.”

“The society's 2023 form 990 was reviewed by the audit committee. It was then distributed to the executive committee and to the board of directors. The executive committee and the board of directors were given an opportunity to comment before it was filed with the irs.”

“The organization circulates the conflict of interest policy once per year, inquires if there are any conflicts, and collects responses from each new and existing board member, officer, and key employee. Board members, officers, and key employees are advised in the policy to keep the organization apprised of any changes or conflicts that arise during the course of the year. A covered person with a conflict of interest may not be present at, or participate in, a board or committee deliberation or vote on the matter giving rise to such conflict, and may not attempt to influence improperly the deliberation or voting on the matter giving rise to such conflict.”

“The society takes the following steps when determining the appropriate level of compensation for its top management officials, officers and key employees: 1. The legal aid society's human resources department reviews outside reports and surveys, such as those available from salary.com and guidestar to determine the average compensation and range of compensation currently being paid to persons in similar positions in the new york state area. 2. The human resources department submits its findings and suggests compensation amounts to the president and attorney-in-chief of the legal aid society for their review and approval, who in turn consult with the compensation subcommittee of the executive committee. 3. The compensation subcommittee recommends, to the board of directors, the annual compensation of the officers of the society and any key employee, who receives a salary of greater than $199,000 per year, and oversees the setting of compensation for the other key employees. The board of directors determines the annual compensation of the officers of the society and any key employee who receives a salary of greater than $199,000 per year. Not withstanding the procedures outlined above, the attorney-in-chief(s) are not involved in deciding their own level of compensation. The president of the organization was not compensated for his services.”

“Copies of the legal aid society's audited financial statements and form 990 filings are posted on its website, www.legal-aid.org. The organization makes its governing documents, charter, by-laws and conflict of interest policy available upon request for the same period of disclosure as set forth in 6104(d).”

“Compensation for these employees includes an annual organization-wide cost of living adjustment, one-time payment, and vacation buy-back.”

“The amounts reported include the estimated increase/decrease in the actuarial value of the defined benefit plan accruals. The organization, in full transparency to reporting, is reporting all benefits in full and not applying the $10,000 per item exception which is available for certain benefits.”

“Pension-related changes other than net periodic costs -2,409,202. Loss on uncollectible grants receivable -813,363.”