Best Lawyers in America for Nonprofit / Charities Law

David G. Samuels is a partner at Perlman & Perlman, a nationally recognized law firm dedicated to representing the charitable and social impact sector for more than sixty years. Mr. Samuels is a recognized expert on a wide range of issues involving charitable organizations, including compensation, governance, fiduciary duty, self-dealing and conflict of interest. He has extensive experience representing numerous and varied public charities and private foundations, including social service...

Jerald A Jacobs is a Washington attorney and head of the Nonprofit Organizations practice of the Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP law firm. That practice annually provides legal counseling and advocacy for over 150 national trade associations, professional societies, cause organizations, and charities. He is also head of the 75-attorney Public Practices and Public Policy Sections of the firm. His practice includes antitrust and trade regulation, health law, litigation, nonprofit corporate ...

Elizabeth H. Hutchins is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where she is a member of the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice group and has served on the Firm's board of directors. Her practice includes planning for the management and distribution of clients' estates to accomplish their goals and to minimize estate taxes using sophisticated estate planning tools and techniques. She counsels business owners regarding succession planning. In probate ...

Marcus Owens represents a broad range of nonprofit organizations, including private foundations, charities, lobbying/political organizations and trade associations. The context has ranged from tax planning, the process of formation and application for exemption, through IRS and state attorney general investigations, including complex audits by IRS Exempt Organizations Financial Investigative Units. Marcus’ focus includes executive compensation, excess benefit and self-dealing excise tax...

Ed Spinella is dedicated to serving as general counsel to a wide range of tax-exempt organizations, including start-up public charities, social service providers, healthcare organizations, private foundations, social clubs, and trade associations. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, Ed is a part of Harris Beach Murtha, where he focuses on Nonprofit / Charities Law. He has been involved in advising clients on groundbreaking projects, such as establishing integrated affiliated systems that encompas...

At Withers Bergman LLP, Steven focuses his practice on estate planning, trust and estate administration, charitable giving and representing tax-exempt organizations. He has designed and used computer modeling to show the economic consequences of various estate planning and charitable giving techniques. Steven is also experienced in the area of executive compensation, focusing on compensation and intermediate sanctions issues for tax-exempt organizations. Steven has represented exempt organiza...

Melissa Sampson McMorrow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Tax Law. Melissa Sampson, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa Sampson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alison J. Midden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Alison J., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Oertel provides strategic business advice and practical legal guidance to a broad range of tax-exempt organizations. She has an extensive business law background in securities, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance, which she leverages to further the business interests of her tax-exempt clients and the investors who support them. Jennifer’s clients include impact funds, individual impact investors, social enterprises, family and corporate foundati...

Rebecca Hurst is a founding partner and the Managing Partner of Smith Hurst, PLC. Originally focusing her legal practice on estate planning and philanthropic endeavors of high net worth individuals and families who have amassed their wealth from family business activities, over the past decade Ms. Hurst’s practice has naturally evolved to not only represent her clients in their estate planning and philanthropic endeavors but also in their business, corporate and real estate activities. ...

Jon Gaston advises public and private clients on a wide range of federal and state tax matters. Renowned as among the leading legal practitioners in the tax-exempt arena, Jon provides strategic counsel to public charities, private foundations, and various nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. His nearly two decades of experience spans a broad range of tax issues, including the formation and maintenance of tax-exempt status, governance, international grantmaking, regulatory compliance, tax-e...

Paul Frimmer focuses on estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, postmortem tax planning, probate litigation, art law, charitable giving, and tax issues relating to these matters. Widely regarded as one of the top estate planning attorneys in the country, Paul has received numerous accolades for his work. He’s known for taking a collaborative approach with his clients and guiding them toward the best decisions tailored to meet their individual needs. Paul has...

Brian C. Mayberry is a respected attorney with extensive experience in Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates. He serves clients in Nashville, Tennessee at Holton & Mayberry PC. Throughout his legal career, Brian C. has been honored since 2013, a testament to his dedication and service in the legal community. His recognition is based on a comprehensive peer-review survey that highlights the respect he has earned among fellow attorneys in his practice areas. Brian C.'s ...

Duncan A. Peete is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Duncan A., who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Duncan A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal prac...

Kristina A. Hancock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law. Kristina A., who practices law in La Jolla, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristina A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary Margaret Petrinjak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Health Care Law and Nonprofit / Charities Law. Mary Margaret, who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary Margaret is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.