Page 11 - Katten 2025 Pro Bono Annual Review

ACCESS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC (ACM) AND THE CHECKOUT

Chicago Real Estate Associate Julia Schenk guided ACM through its transformation
of a long-vacant 7-Eleven storefront into The CheckOut, Chicago’s only chamber
music venue. Julia advised on zoning and permitting strategy, coordinated with local
government and neighborhood associations to secure necessary approvals and
community support, and bolstered funding efforts. Her assistance helped ACM
overcome hurdles to unlock a $250,000 city grant, launch a successful capital
campaign and open the 100-seat venue.

AGOGE INITIATIVE NFP (AGOGE)

“ It has been an absolute pleasure working A Katten duo of Chicago Corporate Associates Austin Brandenburg and Alex Haddad
with Katten. The professionalism, assisted Agoge on a variety of legal matters, including navigating the process of
responsiveness and generosity of their incorporating in Illinois, drafting all initial governing documents, helping Agoge’s
team have exceeded all expectations. staff apply and achieve federal tax exemption for the organization, and resolving
They’ve played a key role in helping us
build a strong legal foundation for a numerous complex intellectual property issues. Agoge will assist former college ath-
mission-driven organization.” letes in finding and developing careers in commercial real estate.

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER (CHICAGOCAC)
AND IMAGINATION THEATER

A Katten Chicago team’s pro bono support facilitated a partnership between the
Chicago-CAC and Imagination Theater to expand child sexual abuse prevention
education citywide, with Corporate Associate Alex Haddad and Mergers and
Acquisitions Associate Aaron Weiss leading the drafting of the transaction and
guiding mission-alignment discussions to ensure both stakeholders’ interests
remained central to decision-making. Senior Counsel and Pro Bono Counsel Janet
Goelz Hoffman, Government and Public Finance Partner Kelly Hutchinson and
Insolvency and Restructuring Partner Paul Musser also helped shape the deal and
navigate grant restrictions, budgetary constraints and an expiring lease.

COMMONPOINT

Through Katten’s longstanding partnership with community-centric nonprofit
Commonpoint, New York Real Estate Associate Ryan Gibbons, supervised by New
York Real Estate Partner Julie Lee, led the acquisition and financing of a Bronx com-
munity center by negotiating with the seller and the NYC Economic Development
Corporation to address approval requirements and secure a pre-closing license so
that Commonpoint could begin serving the community before the purchase was
finalized. With Ryan’s support, Commonpoint was able to close the purchase with its
own funds and later secure more favorable bank financing.

“ I know I am always asking for help, but we love the good work we are doing and LOVE working with you and the Katten team.
Each person we deal with is amazing, and we cannot thank you enough!” CRAIG LASTRES, Chief Operating Officer, Commonpoint

Katten 2025 PRO BONO ANNUAL REVIEW 9