If you run a not for profit school or other non-profit organization, you may be considering hiring a lawyer to help counsel you on various laws, permits, licenses and more, or to just handle day to day needs as they arise. Hiring a law firm that centers on education and has experience dealing with non-profits is a great idea for any not for profit corporation, school or business.
Lawyers with experience in not for profit business can help you with a wide variety of matters, including setting up your charities, payroll, expenses, and more, as well as representing you in legal matters as they arise. These include:
Launch and Formation of your Business
A lawyer will help you with the set up of your company, making sure you’ve obtained all the proper licenses, permits, paid any fees, and set up your business legally. They can also help you with contract law, hiring employees, payroll, ando ther legal components of starting a not for profit company. Having a lawyer on hand as you form your company is imperative to making sure that it’s all done right and according to the letter of the law.
They can also help you apply for grants, financial assistance and more that you may be entitled to or qualify for. Lawyers are up to date on the latest resources available for non-profits and can help you determine which ones might be beneficial to you (and which ones are best avoided).
Obtaining Tax Exemption
This is a major, major component of running a non-profit, and you can’t set this up alone. A lawyer must be brought in to help you obtain tax exempt status, help you fill out forms and navigate the system. Applications must be filed at both the state and federal level, procedures must be adopted and protocols must be followed: a lawyer will help you with all of that as well as help you get back on track in the event that your license lapses or you lose your tax exempt status.
General Legal Counsel
As with any business, situations will arise where you might need a lawyer. This could come from internal issues with employees as well as issues that may arise with clients or customers. A lawyer on retainer can help you deal with all of these legal matters quickly and easily. From discrimination and harassment cases, to representing you in court and more, having a lawyer who is well-versed in the non-profit area of the law is a good idea.
Whether you hire a lawyer on a case by case basis, or have a non-profit lawyer on retainer, make sure you have a number handy. Running a non-profit is a tireless and complicated effort, and having an experienced legal team on your side can make a huge difference for you – they’ll ensure that you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s, acting as a legal defense behind you every step of the way, so you can concentrate on running your non-profit and doing good for your community.