Overview
What is Uncommon Law?
Uncommon Law is a nonprofit organization situated in Oakland, California, with a mission to extend legal aid and healing services to individuals affected by incarceration. They offer support to over 6,000 individuals through parole resources, consultations, and training. Their unique approach focuses on trauma-informed advocacy, allowing individuals to develop new narratives and promote change within the criminal justice system. UnCommon Law represents 72 clients in parole hearings, with a significant number of parole grants granted. Their work involves litigation, policy advocacy, and training to combat systemic discrimination in the criminal justice system. The organization also provides counseling and training for prisoners, attorneys, family members, and law students to ensure effective representation in parole hearings.
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 91% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)
Uncommon Law has achieved a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance in accountability and finance, with a score of 83%. The organization showcases a high degree of financial integrity, demonstrated by its majority independent board and effective audit practices. Additionally, it has a remarkable program expense ratio of 91.16%, indicating that a significant portion of its funds directly supports its mission.
While Uncommon Law's financial practices are robust, there are some noted limitations in governance policies. The absence of a whistleblower policy and a document retention and destruction policy have resulted in zero points in those areas, which may raise concerns about transparency and accountability. However, the organization has successfully maintained a strong working capital ratio and a low liabilities-to-assets ratio, underscoring its financial stability.
In terms of community engagement, Uncommon Law has excelled with a Culture & Community score of 94%. Feedback from constituents is overwhelmingly positive, with 100% scores in feedback collection, usage, and practices. This highlights the organization's commitment to incorporating stakeholder voice into its operations, although it could improve on its equity data and policies. Overall, Uncommon Law demonstrates a strong commitment to its mission, while also recognizing areas for enhancement in policy development.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Uncommon Law?
100% of the 8 reviewers on Facebook recommend Uncommon Law. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Reviewers express strong support for Uncommon Law, highlighting their commitment to providing free legal assistance to those who need it. Many comment on how the organization successfully helps individuals navigate the legal system without financial burden, often emphasizing the positive impact this has on their lives.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding Uncommon Law is overwhelmingly positive, with users feeling grateful for the services provided and confident in the organization's mission. The consensus is that Uncommon Law effectively delivers on its promise to assist vulnerable populations.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Uncommon Law legitimate?
Uncommon Law is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Uncommon Law submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $161,592
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,753,820
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
What is the mission statement of Uncommon Law?
Uncommon Law's mission is centered around providing justice and healing for individuals impacted by incarceration. They offer trauma-informed mental health and legal counseling, aiming to create a safe pathway for people serving lengthy prison terms in California prisons. The organization represents these individuals in parole hearings and habeas petitions, and engages in litigation and policy advocacy to address discrimination in the criminal justice system. Uncommon Law also provides training for prisoners, attorneys, family members, and law students to improve parole hearing preparation and representation. Participation in counseling and training programs is a requirement for prisoners seeking release, and Uncommon Law assists them in preparing to demonstrate their ability to safely rejoin their communities.
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
Who is the CEO of Uncommon Law?
Keith Wattley is the Executive Dir. of Uncommon Law.
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
What is the revenue of Uncommon Law?
Uncommon Law's revenue in 2022 was $4,072,621.
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
Who are the executives of Uncommon Law and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Uncommon Law during 2022 was $58,043. There are 33 employees and 15 volunteers at Uncommon Law.
Here are 10 key members and their salaries:
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Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Uncommon Law?
Uncommon Law's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.uncommonlaw.org
Learn more at the official website: www.uncommonlaw.org
Mission Statement of Uncommon Law
Uncommon Law, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to ensuring that individuals imprisoned for violent crimes have access to healing, justice, and effective legal representation. Their unique approach to advocacy offers a much-needed space within the system, focusing on healing, accountability, and safe pathways back into society for these individuals. By helping them develop new self-narratives, Uncommon Law empowers them to disrupt violence both within and outside of prisons, transforming them into leaders who challenge negative societal perceptions about those serving time for violent crimes.
Uncommon Law's mission extends beyond mere legal representation. They provide trauma-informed, healing-centered mental health and legal counseling to individuals serving lengthy prison terms in California prisons. This holistic approach helps prepare them for parole hearings and habeas petitions, addressing systemic discrimination within the criminal justice system through litigation and policy advocacy. Additionally, Uncommon Law offers training for prison inmates, attorneys, family members, and law students, aiming to improve the overall quality of preparation and representation in parole hearings. To be released, inmates must participate in counseling and training programs, demonstrating to the California Parole Board their readiness to safely rejoin their communities. Uncommon Law plays a vital role in supporting these individuals in their journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration.
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Impact
July, 2024
Uncommon Law's impact is profound and far-reaching. By providing access to healing, justice, and effective legal representation for individuals incarcerated for violent crimes, Uncommon Law is actively changing lives and societal narratives. Their trauma-informed model of advocacy creates a space for healing, accountability, and safe reintegration into society for those currently serving lengthy prison terms in California.
Through their efforts, Uncommon Law has not only represented clients in parole hearings and habeas petitions but has also engaged in litigation and policy advocacy to address systemic discrimination in the criminal justice system. By offering training programs for individuals in prison, attorneys, family members, and law students, Uncommon Law is improving the quality of preparation and representation in parole hearings.
Ultimately, Uncommon Law's work is instrumental in ensuring that individuals incarcerated for violent crimes have the opportunity to disrupt violence both inside and outside prison, become leaders in changing negative societal narratives, and prepare for a successful reentry into their communities.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Uncommon Law. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Gross Receipts: $4,105,422
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $4,369,006
- Total Liabilities: $450,563
- Net Assets: $3,918,443
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Organization Details
Founding Year
2012
Phone
(510) 271-0310Principal Officer
Keith Wattley
Main Address
318 HARRISON ST 103, OAKLAND, CA, 94607
Website
www.uncommonlaw.orgNTEE Category
Code: I80 - Crime
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