Experience

Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations
Formation of California nonprofit public benefit, mutual benefit and religious corporations, including obtaining recognition of tax exempt status.

Serving as outside counsel to major nonprofit healthcare provider, including drafting and review of contracts and assisting with medical practice acquisition transactions.

Serving as outside general counsel for nonprofit and tax exempt organizations, including advice on protecting tax exempt status, complying with the California Nonprofit Integrity Act and other applicable laws, corporate structure and governance, operational issues and contract negotiation.

Representation of nonprofit organizations in mergers and other reorganizations.

Counseling private foundations on formation and operational issues.

Drafting policies and procedures for nonprofit and tax exempt organizations on issues of corporate governance and internal operations.

Advising nonprofit and tax exempt organizations including trade associations on specific issues, including joint ventures, management of restricted funds, securities issues and formation of affiliated entities.

General Corporate
Negotiation and drafting of business contracts and agreements, including vendor, distribution, independent contractor and services agreements.

Due diligence review and drafting of transaction documents for asset sales and acquisitions, mergers, commercial loan transactions and private financings.

Representation of corporations and other business entities in formation and governance matters.

General
Former Legal Intern, Charitable Trusts Section, Office of the Attorney General, State of California Department of Justice.

Former nonprofit professional, including serving as Development Director of regional symphony orchestra.

memberships

State Bar of California, Business Law Section, Member

Sacramento County Bar Association, Business Law Section, Member

American Society of Association Executives, Member

EDUCATION

University of California, Davis School of Law (J.D., Order of the Coif, 2005)
Whitman College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1996)

PUBLICATIONS

Nonprofit Law Update, Downey Brand LLP, “No Rest for the Weary: For Nonprofits, 2007 Offers Reprieve from Legislative Reform But Continued Focus on Accountability and Transparency,” October 2007, Author

Nonprofit Law Update, Downey Brand LLP, "From Poker Nights to Electric Lights: Federal and State Lawmakers Enact Reforms Affecting Nonprofit Organizations," November 2006, Author

Nonprofit Law Update, Downey Brand LLP, "Prohibited Political Activity: New IRS Guidance for 501(c)(3) Organizations," May 2006, Author

PRESENTATIONS

The Learning Exchange, “How to Form a Nonprofit Organization,” 2006 - 2008, Speaker

Lorman Education Services, “Tax Exempt Organizations in California,” 2007, Seminar Presenter

Association of California Symphony Orchestras Annual Conference, “Time for a Legal Tune-Up,” 2008, Speaker

CHARITABLE

Arts and Business Council of Sacramento, Board Member

King Hall Legal Foundation, Former Board Member