The nonprofit and mission-based industries are always in need of expert legal counsel to take care of contracts, negotiations, ongoing employment law, and other legal responsibilities. Obtaining an outstanding nonprofit startup, governance, and closure attorney is the only way to run a mission-based business or nonprofit organization successfully and responsibly. Find a trusted nonprofit legal advocate to assist in anything your mission-based business or charitable organization might need.
Know What Your Nonprofit Needs
Starting and running a nonprofit, mission-based business or organization is no simple task. Many moving parts go into running a productive nonprofit or mission-based organization. Obtaining reliable legal representation will make navigating the ins and outs of nonprofit startup and governance a greater experience rather than going it alone.
Take action to educate yourself and understand all the vital pieces of information required to operate a nonprofit organization optimally (and legally). Let’s take a look at all the legalities and technicalities mission-based business owners and nonprofit management must take into consideration that often require legal counsel, including:
- Tax exemption compliance
- Contracts
- Employment law and labor regulations
- Copyright laws and clearances
- Trademark applications
- Fundraising law
- Nonprofit governance or corporate law
- Government violations, permits, and approval
- Real estate counsel
- Lobbying
- Nonprofit closure
Clearly, it can be challenging and overwhelming to account for the overarching requirements of running a nonprofit organization. With so many significant tasks and responsibilities to keep straight, many professionals recommend nonprofit owners to obtain reliable legal counsel or a specialized nonprofit startup, governance, and closure attorney.
Why Mission-Based Businesses and Nonprofits Need High-Quality Legal Counsel
Legal counsel from an experienced nonprofit startup and governance attorney can be a great asset when forming, coordinating, continuing to run, and finally closing down an organization. Below, find the six most significant reasons for seeking out a trusted team of lawyers to consult on all critical nonprofit legal needs:
1. Support Setting Up Your Nonprofit
The first step when starting a nonprofit or mission-based organization involves a lot of different applications for incorporation, tax exemption, and other essential nonprofit needs. An experienced nonprofit attorney will be your guide, guaranteeing you don’t miss a single detail when starting your charitable organization.
2. Assistance Through Application Processes
As stated above, several federal and state-specific applications are required for starting and running a nonprofit organization or mission-based business. The best way to ensure everything is completed correctly, punctually, and through the proper channels is with help from a highly qualified lawyer like those on the team of nonprofit attorneys at MSB Employment Justice. Some of the specific application requirements your chosen nonprofit attorney can assist you with include:
- Nonprofit name registration
- Filing articles of incorporation
- IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) application
- 501(c)3 tax-exempt status application
- Charity registration
- State-specific nonprofit startup requirements
You can find more details about the application for tax exemption on the IRS website here.
In addition to the nonprofit assistance attorneys offer during the application process, they can also help you maintain compliance with all requirements and registrations over the years. In contrast to the application process, nonprofit attorneys can also assist charitable organizations with closing their doors if that time ever comes.
3. Better Bylaws for Your Nonprofit Mission-Based Business
Another essential task that nonprofits and mission-based organizations must complete before beginning any fundraising or other practices is to write official bylaws. Your nonprofit attorney can assist you in drafting these bylaws, which are the rules that govern your nonprofit’s practices.
The IRS, or Internal Revenue System, will require you to include official bylaws when applying for federal tax exemption. Start working with an attorney right away to create a comprehensive list of bylaws indicating election rules, governance guidelines, and asset allocation after your organization eventually dissolves.
4. Expert Knowledge of Employment Law
After all of the necessary applications are complete, and on their way to the correct outlets, with adequate bylaws attached, your nonprofit startup is ready for the next steps. Select an attorney with expertise in nonprofit startup and governance law and a background in employment law. With a well-rounded set of skills, your attorney can help set up insurance, draft employee contracts, assist in salary or severance agreement negotiations, and so much more.
5. Trademark, Copyright, and Intellectual Property Protection
Once things are up and running at your nonprofit organization, you might consider promoting campaigns, programs, products, or even ideas that require protection from any infringement. When you have a new concept on the horizon, your nonprofit attorney can help with copyright or intellectual property protection. Trademarking terms, logos, and other identifying information in order to protect and maintain your nonprofit organization’s brand image is another task your nonprofit attorney can assist you through.
6. Reliable Risk Management Recommendations
Finally, find an experienced nonprofit attorney to assist in establishing a nonprofit risk management plan. Your lawyer can help draft documents that ensure your charitable organization’s property, assets, documents, data, finances, reputation, and integrity are all protected.
Your nonprofit or mission-based business’s board of directors should understand the need for various kinds of liability insurance coverage and take action to find a qualified attorney who can mitigate risks within your organization. Make finding adequate counsel for your nonprofit a top priority to keep finances, assets, resources, and, most importantly, your organization’s reputation safely intact. Talk with a trusted nonprofit attorney to get expert representation and recommendations for nonprofit risk management, governance, and more.
Finding a Nonprofit Lawyer to Meet Your Mission’s Needs
When making the leap to start a mission-based business or nonprofit organization, you need expert legal advice from a nonprofit governance attorney. After securing someone knowledgeable, you’ll receive guidance navigating through the many stringent rules, regulations, and legalities of running a nonprofit.
Well-respected, industry-leading lawyers will never leave you in the dark during the startup, governance, and closure processes, helping you every step of the way. From completing applications and drafting bylaws to creating employment contracts and comprehensive risk management plans, a nonprofit attorney can make all the difference in your organization’s success. Contact MSB Employment Justice today to learn more about how we can assist you through any and all nonprofit legal needs now.
