Successfully represented a large national charity in the Second Circuit to obtain dismissal of the action on the basis of standing.
Authored amicus brief in the Second Circuit on behalf of three distinguished academics and the former executive director of Lawyers Alliance on the important issue of limiting standing to sue by foreign beneficiaries of U.S. charities.
Nonprofit counsel in a litigation brought by a former director against the remaining directors of a prominent artist foundation.
Successfully represented one of the founding members of a nonprofit organization in a derivative action against the other member and certain officers and directors of the corporation, overcoming a motion to dismiss by the defendants on all 10 causes of action.
Successfully represented a substantial private grant-making foundation in a discrimination lawsuit by its former executive director and trustee in New York state court.
Successfully represented a private grant-making foundation in a dispute with a former trustee alleging breaches of fiduciary duty in New York state court, obtaining dismissal of all claims.
Successfully defended a social service agency from efforts to remove its executive director and take control of the organization and subsequently conducted an internal investigation.
Successfully represented a CUNY-affiliated foundation and the presidents of multiple CUNY colleges in connection with an investigation by the New York State Inspector General and subsequent investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Represented a large public library system, conducting an investigation in connection with the termination of its chief executive officer, as well as advising the library on its governance policies and procedures.
Represented a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, conducting an internal investigation in connection with fraud and embezzlement by its former CEO and CFO.
Negotiated a favorable settlement with the New York State Attorney General on behalf of a private grant-making foundation.
Successful in reversing the removal of a receiver of nonprofit by the court and dismissing the Attorney General’s action.
Governance and Exempt Organization Counsel
Formed and obtained tax exemption status for myriad nonprofits
Advised multiple clients on an array of exempt organization issues, from conflicts of interest, related party transactions and/or potential self-dealing issues to endowment administration, charitable fundraising, lobbying and political activities, executive compensation, private inurement and benefit, and real property tax exemption among others.
Represented a large Swedish organization in structuring its relationship with a foreign student exchange program.
Counseled multiple nonprofits on the separation of key senior executives.
Spun off a workforce development program for a well-known foundation.
Counseled a large New York not-for-profit corporation engaged in humanitarian relief and refugee resettlement on membership restructuring, bylaw revisions and standing rules for compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
Represented a 501(c)(3) local chapter of a known nonprofit in connection with its disaffiliation process with the national organization.
Represented a large foundation supporting a New York City college, in a consolidation with another foundation.
Represented a large foundation supporting a SUNY college in a merger with another foundation.
Successfully represented one of New York’s oldest membership organizations in obtaining a unique property tax-exemption from the New York City Department of Finance.
Successfully represented a 501(c)(3) organization in connection with the U.S. State Department’s inquiries into the administration of its student exchange program.
Successfully represented multiple New York not-for-profit organizations in obtaining Attorney General approval for the sale of property, mergers and dissolutions.
Prepared bylaws and policies for multiple not-for-profit organizations, with and without members, for compliance with state not-profit laws and provided governance advice.
