A Primer on Legal Issues for Non-Profit Organizations

At some point in their careers, attorneys may be approached by non-profit organizations to serve on a board or advise on a governance dispute or other legal matter. But many attorneys do not have a basic understanding of how non-profits are structured and which laws govern non-profit organizations. A litigator, for example, may be brought in to advise a non-profit organization on a governance dispute without understanding that the bylaws of such organizations must comply with relevant state laws. Attorneys who do not work with non-profit organizations on a regular basis may also confuse an organization’s tax-exempt status with its entity structure.

This course, taught by Associate General Counsel of the Bronx Defenders, Safia Hussain, is intended to provide attorneys with a basic foundation of the legal framework for non-profit organizations, as well as clarify some of the basic tax law concepts relevant to non-profit organizations. The course will also highlight some of the legal issues that may confront a non-profit organization on a day-to-day basis.

1. Review the basic legal framework for non-profit organizations
2. Discuss basic tax law concepts that apply to non-profit organizations
3. Highlight legal issues that non-profit organizations may face on a day-to-day basis