Common Legal Issues Facing Nonprofits
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In this workshop, we will discuss common legal issues that nonprofits encounter; when to seek legal counsel; review the role of the board of directors; and discuss some ways to minimize risk.
Nonprofit organizations are businesses, with many of the same types of legal needs as for-profit businesses—in particular employment law issues.
Nonprofits also have to comply with state and federal regulations unique to the nonprofit sector. However, many nonprofits fail to recognize the need for legal counsel, or forego counsel due to budgetary constraints.
The workshop will be a combination of lecture and interactive discussions.
Topics will include:
- Corporate law – the roles and responsibilities of board members; the importance of bylaws, conflict of interest policy, and other governance policies.
- Employment law – proper classifications of workers, and best practices for managing volunteers.
- Intellectual property – protecting your own, avoiding infringement of others.
- Contracts – know your rights and obligations.
- Regulatory and tax obligations – what to file, when to file.
- Insurance as a risk management tool.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will learn how to identify potential legal concerns before they become actual problems.
- Participants will understand when to contact an attorney.
- Participants will learn ways to minimize risk.
About the Speakers
Judy Siegel is a Senior Staff Attorney at Pro Bono Partnership, a not-for-profit organization which provides transactional pro bono opportunities for attorneys and provides pro bono business legal services to nonprofit organizations in NY, NJ, and CT. Judy provides direct legal services to nonprofit organizations in New York and Connecticut, recruits and coordinates volunteer attorneys to assist clients, conducts outreach to nonprofit organizations, and presents legal workshops on topics relevant to nonprofit executives and board members.
Judy has worked in private practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Tenzer Greenblatt (now Blank Rome LLP) and Kittay & Gershfeld, P.C. She also served as the Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Westchester Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Judy has served on several boards of directors, has taught mock trial at a local high school, lectured on various topics at SUNY Purchase, and coached a recreational basketball team. Judy is admitted to the bar in New York and Connecticut. She is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Boston University Law School.
Jennifer Grudnowski is a Senior Staff Attorney at Pro Bono Partnership where she provides direct legal services and education to nonprofit organizations, focusing on employment law matters.
Previously, Jennifer was Senior Employment Counsel at Berger Legal LLC in New Rochelle, NY. She was also Managing Counsel for Regency Corporation in Minneapolis, MN, where she focused on employment law matters and regulatory affairs. In addition, she held a role as Senior Counsel at Fair Isaac Corporation in Minneapolis, MN, where she managed domestic and international employment matters, corporate litigation and e-discovery.
She is admitted to practice in New York (active), Connecticut (active), Minnesota (inactive) and Illinois (inactive). She received her undergraduate degree from Washington University and her juris doctorate from Washington University School of Law.
The Nonprofit Executive Solutions Virtual Workshop Series covers essential and emerging leadership topics and delivers business solutions and skills for nonprofit organizations.