1. Purpose 

The Pro Bono and Impact Litigation Committee is a standing Board committee responsible for governing and, where appropriate, participating in strategic legal advocacy and operational legal initiatives carried out in the public interest. 

The Committee exists to ensure that legal action serves as a governance‑guided instrument in service of mission integrity, public trust, and lawful, ethical impact. 

2. Authority and Standing 

The Committee is constituted pursuant to the authority of the Board of Directors and operates as a standing Board committee. 

The Committee is authorized to: 

• Provide governance oversight of pro bono and impact litigation initiatives 

• Steward alignment between legal strategy and mission outcomes 

• Support ethical, strategic, and risk‑aware legal advocacy 

• Make recommendations to the Board regarding initiation, continuation, or cessation of legal action 

The Committee does not exercise unilateral litigation authority and does not act independently of the Board where Board approval is required by law or policy. 

3. Scope of Responsibility 

The Pro Bono and Impact Litigation Committee’s scope includes, but is not limited to: 

• Oversight and governance of pro bono legal services and impact litigation undertaken in the public interest 

• Alignment of legal strategy with mission, values, and intended impact 

• Evaluation of legal risk, ethical exposure, and reputational implications 

• Stewardship of legal initiatives, including strategic partnerships, filings, and advocacy pathways 

• Recommendation of safeguards to ensure legal action strengthens — rather than compromises — public trust 

4. Working‑Board Engagement 

Consistent with the Corporation’s working‑board model, members of this Committee may actively engage in: 

• Strategic legal planning and impact analysis 

• Oversight support for operational legal initiatives 

• Coordination with external counsel, pro bono partners, or legal coalitions 

• Review of legal strategy where mission alignment and risk require Board‑level attention 

Such engagement remains governance‑aligned and does not substitute for licensed legal representation or executive authority. 

5. Committee Composition 

The Committee shall consist of the following roles: 

• Chair 

• Vice Chair 

• Group Comptroller / Treasurer 

• Secretary 

• Members (as appointed by the Board) 

All members are appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws of Celestial Point Inc. 

6. Legal Ethics, Risk, and Public Trust 

The Committee shall operate with heightened attention to: 

• Legal ethics and professional responsibility 

• Conflicts of interest and role clarity 

• Risk to the Corporation, its beneficiaries, and public trust 

The Committee ensures that all legal initiatives are undertaken in a manner consistent with applicable law, ethical obligations, and the Corporation’s mission and values. 

7. Relationship to Other Committees 

The Pro Bono and Impact Litigation Committee coordinates as appropriate with: 

• Ethics Committee (ethical standards and conflicts) 

• Mission, Vision, and Values Committee (mission alignment) 

• Organizational Resilience Committee (risk, safeguarding, duty‑of‑care) 

Coordination ensures legal action is integrated into broader governance and risk oversight. 

8. Escalation and Reporting 

Material legal, ethical, or reputational risks shall be escalated: 

• From the Committee to the full Board of Directors 

• Promptly, where litigation or advocacy may materially affect mission integrity or public trust 

9. Term of Service 

Members of the Pro Bono and Impact Litigation Committee serve five (5)‑year terms, consistent with Board service terms, unless otherwise authorized by the Board under exceptional circumstances. 

10. Review and Amendment 

This Charter may be amended only by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall periodically review this Charter and recommend updates as necessary to reflect changes in law, mission strategy, or litigation landscape.