Having represented associations and other nonprofit organizations for over 30 years, our lawyers have an in-depth knowledge of the particular challenges that face these organizations. RDB represents associations and nonprofits by:

• Serving as outside general counsel, providing advice in connection with corporate governance, antitrust, employee relations, intellectual property protection, accreditation issues, government contracting and bid/award protests, licensing, vendor, sponsorship and other contracting, government relations, and strategic planning.
• Counseling in connection with corporate and transactional issues including corporate formation and maintenance of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(19) entities, securing tax-exempt status, helping foreign nonprofits establish in other states advising on various operational issues, preparing releases, employee manuals and various transactional documents, helping nonprofits convert from their exemption status, formally dissolving nonprofit entities, analysis of sales and use tax issues, and chapter formation.
• Handling litigation throughout the country involving commercial, employment, accreditation, and debtor/creditor work-out matters, as well as antitrust, intellectual property, traditional breach of contract, negligence, and fraud cases.
• Monitoring, coordinating, and overseeing litigation for the purpose of identifying potential vulnerabilities revealed by pending cases and working proactively with association staff to modify policies and procedures accordingly.
• Providing a full spectrum of advice on employment issues, including executive and staff employment agreements, employee handbooks, wage/hour and leave issues, terminations, sexual harassment investigations, and misappropriations of trade secrets.
• Conducting, where necessary, internal investigations for association Boards of Directors.
• Reviewing Sarbanes-Oxley compliance issues including counseling on policies and procedures.

Our lawyers are regular speakers and writers on issues affecting associations and nonprofit organizations, including insurance coverage, contracts, employment relations, risk management, and litigation strategies. One of our senior partners also assisted in editing “Ready in Defense: A Liability, Litigation and Legal Guide for Nonprofits,” http://nonprofitrisk.org/store/ready-in-defense.shtml, published by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center.

At the request of ALTRU, a Managing General Underwriter for nonprofit liability insurance, RDB partners published “Be Prepared: Nonprofit Organizations’ Legal Risks and Protections,” ALTRU, LLC, December 2005. Our lawyers also regularly publish “Case Developments” for ALTRU's Nonprofit Management Update.
Click here to read the Winter 2008 Case Developments.
Click here to read the March 2007 Case Developments.
Click here to read the July 2006 Case Developments.

RDB’s Associations and Nonprofits clients have included American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Meat Institute, Biotechnology Industry Organization, California Western School of Law, CASA of Maryland, Inc., Century Club of San Diego, Commission on Presidential Debates, Construction Specifications Institute, Contribute, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Council on Chiropractic Education, District of Columbia Bar, FBI San Diego Citizens’ Academy, HealthyHeart Foundation, International Fabricare Institute, Joint Oceanographic Institute, Mo’olelo, Mojalet Dance Collective, Motorcycle Industry Council, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, National Association of Restaurants, National Business Aviation Association, National Cable Television Association, National Environmental Balancing Bureau, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Railway Supply Institute, Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Software & Information Industry Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, Star-K of Baltimore, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Century Club Charities, The Interfaith Alliance, The Orthodox Union, The Provident Foundation, Inc., The Washington Home, Tobacconist’s Association of America, Ltd., and United Telecom Council.