Community Development

Nonprofit Management

There are few endeavors more challenging than leading a nonprofit. Financial resources are limited, staff too few and the mission never fully accomplished. Despite the challenges, the work is imperative, life-changing, and rewarding beyond description. We support this work and provide the following services:

• Counsel on the formation of nonprofit legal entities (corporations, unincorporated associations and charitable trusts). Provide guidance on entity formation procedures and processes. Prepare nonprofit charter, and oversee filing of charter with the appropriate government authority to formally establish the entity. Advise on establishment of affiliated chapters. Obtain employment identification number (tax identification number) for nonprofit. Counsel on the formation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).

• Nonprofit Corporate Governance

• Prepare and review nonprofit organizations’s internal affairs documents, such as its corporate bylaws or constitution. Prepare and review suggested, mandatory and other policies, including the conflict of interest policy, whistle-blower policy and document retention policy. Identification and management of risks. Counsel on nonprofit corporate governance policies, procedures and principles, including fiduciary duties. Advise on board structure and composition. Advise and implement anti-takeover mechanisms. Provide guidance on governance best practices.

• Nonprofit Contracts and Agreements

• Prepare and counsel on contracts and other agreements. Negotiate contracts and other transactions. Advise on contracts and agreements under applicable state law. Counsel on enforceability of international contracts. Review contracts to address specific concerns, or to ensure that contract terms are in the best interests of the nonprofit.

• Nonprofit Intellectual Property

• Oversee registration of nonprofit’s trademarks and copyright. Advise on and support preservation of other forms of intellectual property, including trade secrets. Evaluate risks related to the use of intellectual property. Support enforcement of intellectual property rights. Counsel on international intellectual property treaties, including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property. Prepare and review intellectual property assignment and transfer agreements.

• Nonprofit Outside General Counsel

• Serve as key nonprofit lawyer and legal adviser in all appropriate transactions. Support definition and development of nonprofit policies, procedures and programs. Provide continuing nonprofit general counsel and guidance on legal risks, legal implications and legal aspects in all matters. Provide legal advice and guidance, and strategic counsel, to the board of directors, committees of the board and senior management, relating to the management and operations. Oversee the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.

• Politics and Community

• Elections and Advocacy

• Supporting Positive Change

Strategic Planning

We know that entrepreneurs often wear many hats and we are no different. We can assist you with a wide range of legal issues related to starting a business. 

• Small Business Counseling

• Social Entrepreneurship