CLE Accredited Live Program: A How-To Guide to Nonprofit Mergers and Strategic Alliances for Pro Bono Attorneys

Date: Thursday, December 14, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Duane Morris LLP, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY

COST:
Standard Rate: $125 per person
All staff of nonprofits and current Lawyers Alliance volunteer attorneys with an active pro bono case are eligible for a special $75 rate.
Full or partial scholarships are available based on financial need.
For the discounted rate or scholarship, please e-mail CLEregistrar@lawyersalliance.org.

REGISTRATION:
Those paying full price can register online by clicking here.
Registration deadline: December 11, 2017.

Session 1 – Legal Aspects of Planning for a Strategic Alliance
Neil Stevenson, Senior Staff Attorney and Noah Sapse, Staff Attorney
Guest: Louisa Hackett, Community Resource Exchange

One of the significant ways mergers and strategic alliances for nonprofits differ from the for-profit world are the motivations and underlying concerns nonprofits face in the process of exploring a merger or strategic alliance. Taking into account the goals of nonprofits engaged in this process, this session will cover the legal structures for strategic alliances available to New York State nonprofit corporations, due diligence for nonprofits, and a discussion of the ways attorneys can maximize the value of their counsel to nonprofits throughout the exploration process.

NYS CLE credit: 1.0 credit can be applied towards the professional practice requirement.

Session 2 – Documenting a Nonprofit Strategic Alliance, Merger, or Asset Transfer
Neil Stevenson, Senior Staff Attorney and Elizabeth Perez, Legal Director
Guest: New York State Attorney General’s Office, Charities Bureau

When it comes time to document a nonprofit strategic alliance, an attorney’s role is crucial. This training will cover how to document a sole membership structure, including any service agreements between the "parent" and "subsidiary" organization. It will also cover the process of obtaining state approval for mergers, consolidations, and asset transfers, with a special focus on avoiding common pitfalls that can delay necessary approvals.

NYS CLE credit: 1.0 credit can be applied towards the professional practice requirement.

Session 3 – Guiding a Nonprofit through the Integration Process
Elizabeth Perez, Legal Director
Guest: Susan Nieves, Goddard Riverside

For many nonprofits, the work of integrating two organizations is only beginning once the terms of the strategic alliance have been documented. This session will cover issues involved in timing and transferring contracts and highlight legal issues that may require special attention such as changes to employee benefits, and the unique concerns of nonprofits with funding from government agencies.

NYS CLE credit: 0.5 credits can be applied towards the professional practice requirement.