Ropes & Gray Supports Non-Profit Upstream USA’s Efforts to Reduce Unplanned Pregnancies in the U.S.

Ropes & Gray has partnered with pro bono client Upstream USA, a non-profit working to expand economic opportunity and mobility for women by reducing unplanned pregnancies in the U.S., to help support the organization’s rapid growth and success.

Each year, nearly half of the country’s six million pregnancies are unplanned, contributing to a cycle of intergenerational poverty for millions of women. Upstream’s mission is to change health care so that all women can access high-quality services and the full range of contraceptive methods. By partnering with states to reach all women, Upstream provides training and technical assistance at the health center level. Currently, Upstream has operations in Delaware, Massachusetts and Washington, with plans to reach additional states in the near future.

On Oct. 9, Ropes & Gray hosted a conversation in the firm’s Boston office between chair of the securities & governance practice Keith Higgins and Mark Edwards, co-founder and co-CEO of Upstream, to discuss the organization’s strategic vision and highlight the breadth of Ropes & Gray’s assistance.

“In an environment where we are trying to grow so quickly, having a backbone of sophisticated, nuanced and responsive support across the firm has been an extraordinary asset,” Mr. Edwards said, discussing Upstream’s partnership with Ropes & Gray.

Ropes & Gray has worked with Upstream to create a best-in-class corporate governance structure, as well as to support the organization with general corporate matters, labor and employment, health care, tax-exempt status, and intellectual property and grant applications.

The Ropes & Gray pro bono team that supports Upstream is led by Keith Higgins and includes IP transactions partner David McIntosh, tax & benefits partner Kendi Ozmon, labor & employment counsel Jenny Cooper, corporate associate Melicia Morris, health care senior career associate Elizabeth Whitkin and health care associate Christine Moundas.

During an event held at the firm's Boston office on Oct. 9, chair of the securities & governance practice Keith Higgins (left) and Mark Edwards, co-founder and co-CEO of Upstream USA (right) discussed the organization’s partnership with Ropes & Gray.