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Nonprofits Don’t Know How to Work with Lawyers, Actually

As a former executive director now serving as a lawyer for tax-exempt organizations, I’m going to just say it: Nonprofits often don’t know how to work with lawyers. They sometimes don’t realize that the practice of law is licensed at the state level. Or maybe they believe a personal injury attorney is an expert in real estate transactions for 501c3s. My favorite: Lawyers are only for when you need someone to speak in the tongues of Latin because you’ve hit exorcism-level mode in your nonprofit hellscape. I’ll take one for my profession: Lawyers don’t often know the relational side of their...

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Godfather logo of hand holding a cross with strings

Pop Culture References to Accommodation that Will Make You Laugh, Cringe, and Apply the Law Incorrectly

Am I the only person having a difficult time reading for pleasure right now? Besides my usual guilt of reality TV, I’ve been escaping with other shows and movies. Of course, even in relaxing, I see disability everywhere. I’m still trying to figure out ways to incorporate these three examples into my next slide deck, but for now, I’ll share them with you. The Godfather: We started watching The Godfather as a family because references are everywhere in pop culture. You also never know when you might need a stable family business structure; I’m kidding. In one scene, the Godfather Read more…

By Carrie Basas, ago

Can You Afford Kindness in Your Business?

In what feels like an onslaught of inhumanity around us, I’ve seen such spillover to interpersonal relationships and business practices. Can you afford to be kind in business, especially in law or as a solo entrepreneur? I’m not sure that you can afford to be unkind, although many people seem engaged in that experiment. Here are some ways that kindness showed up in my practice in the past week or so: In a job interview process, I once asked the outgoing leader if the team was kind. I still remember their confusion about why I was asking. They said no Read more…

By Carrie Basas, ago
floral arrangement with a thank-you note for being a good email neighbor

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

And wow, do we still need “awareness” in that long holiday name? It’s the 80th anniversary of a month that began as a way to recognize the contributions of people with physical disabilities, which expanded over time to include other forms of disabilities and tap the leadership of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. On the holiday site, you can find tips for employers, posters, sample proclamations, and videos, as well as ways to keep this party going past October. This year’s theme is “celebrating value and talent.” No one would ever put me in charge Read more…

By Carrie Basas, ago

Disability Myths (Part II): Happy 35th to the ADA, Actually

Last week, I got the Americans with Disabilities Act’s birthday party (7/26) started by giving you eighteen myths about disability. It’s time for the second installment. (Thanks to friends for their suggestions!) Remember, “Justice, Actually” is a blog from a lawyer, but it is not legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. Lawyers have lots of opinions. Some lawyers, like me, have an ironic “special” shirt for the ADA’s birthday.

By Carrie Basas, ago
Carrie with pink cat-eye sunglasses wearing a vibrant shirt with the words "special" on it
photo of walking stick leaning on the wall

Thirty-Six Myths about Disability as We Celebrate the ADA’s 35th Bday (Part 1), Actually

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Given our current times, it is difficult to remember that it was a bipartisan effort. We see attacks on DEI, reductions in companies’ accessibility efforts and staffing, and public narratives about people with disabilities as drains on our nation. However, let’s take a beat between the slices of gluten-free, low-allergen birthday cake to address some myths about disability that still persist. If you know how to celebrate birthdays, then you realize you always add an extra candle. Let’s take these 36 myths in two parts: Part II Read more…

By Carrie Basas, ago

Social Justice Deserves More Than a Volunteer Boss Model, Actually (A Riddle)

Congrats, you’re the boss– or if you’re like my former colleague trying to pay me a compliment: “El Jefe.” (Others just go straight to the tried and true: “Professor Badass.”) How did you get this position and what is it? Well, here are some clues: Congrats, my friend, you’re a nonprofit Board member! We are grateful for your service, but wow, we need to support you better. The examples above are extreme and cheeky, but if one or more of them resonate, you’re not alone. In no other sector besides nonprofits would volunteer bosses be a thing, yet we rest Read more…

By Carrie Basas, ago
a businessperson covering his face