The law firm Lowenstein Sandler has announced the launch of its social impact practice, formalizing the firm’s long-standing commitment to the rapidly growing social innovation economy.
The practice will endeavor to provide sophisticated, cross-disciplinary counsel to mission-driven companies — both for-profit and nonprofit — as well as the funds and investors that support them, providing strategic legal solutions that align social and environmental objectives with business performance.
Lowenstein Sandler was one of a growing number of law firms launching cross-disciplinary social impact practices. These practices combine corporate, regulatory, and pro bono expertise to align legal services with social and environmental goals.
Drawing on the Lowenstein Sandler’s bench of corporate, fund formation, finance, regulatory, and intellectual property lawyers, as well as its well-established tradition of advancing the public interest through pro bono work and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement, the practice aims to help clients navigate complex and evolving legal frameworks while advancing measurable impact.
The practice will serve clients across the spectrum of the sector, including social enterprises structured as traditional corporations, public benefit corporations, and hybrid entities; impact fund managers; institutional investors; foundations and operating nonprofits; family offices and high net worth individuals; and corporate venture capital and other socially motivated investors.
“Our clients are building organizations that marry purpose with performance, and they need legal partners who understand the nuances of social impact,” says Palo Alto-based Chandra K. Shih, partner in the firm’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (ECVC) practice.
“Lowenstein’s collaborative culture brings together authorities across the areas of capital formation, governance, regulatory compliance, and social justice to help founders and investors achieve durable outcomes and positive community impact,” said Shih.
Members of the team span many of Lowenstein’s practice areas and office locations, such as Christina Holder, public interest counsel in Roseland; Elinor Ramey, partner and chair, Exempt Organizations based in Washington, D.C.; Kristin V. Taylor, partner, tax, in New Jersey; Alyssa A. Frederick, ECVC, based in Palo Alto; and Matthew R. VanderGoot, ECVC in Washington, D.C.
