Religious and Not-For-Profit Organizations
Non-profit, religious, education, and social services organizations play important roles in our society, and Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. has a group of attorneys dedicated to providing the unique services that these organizations require. The experience and dedication of members of this group have enabled the firm to become an important resource for many organizations including religious institutes, church organizations and religiously sponsored ministries.
Corporate/Sponsorship/Tax
We provide comprehensive corporate services, including advice on complex sponsorship and governance issues, assistance in the formation of not-for-profit corporations and other legal structures and handling mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, joint ventures and spin-offs, including the merger and re-organization of religious communities. Our attorneys have significant experience in all major tax areas affecting such organizations at the federal, state and local levels. We are especially adept at dealing with issues emanating from transactions, including transactions between exempt and non-exempt organizations.
Risk Management
A special focus of this practice group is the management of risks and claims, especially claims of serious personal misconduct. Our experience includes advising clients about policies and practices to reduce and avoid risks, as well as methods for addressing claims and avoiding litigation, including alternatives such as mediation. We have been particularly effective in helping to assemble and advise multi-disciplinary teams regarding crisis management.
Litigation
The attorneys in our non-profit group represent clients in litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts. The appellate litigation practice includes extensive experience in dealing with public policy and constitutional issues. The attorneys have significant experience with respect to the First Amendment Religion Clauses, as well as issues relating to the confidentiality of communications and documents.
Employee Relations Matters
We provide services for the full range of employment-related issues, including at-will, contract, unionization, civil rights, unemployment compensation and wage and hour issues. Our attorneys practice before the NLRB, the EEOC, state and local human rights commissions and all other regulatory agencies dealing with employment issues. Similarly, the firm has experience in the benefits area to address ERISA and pension issues and assist in the design and documentation of benefits and compensation programs.
Real Estate/Real Estate Tax
We provide a wide range of other services adapted to the special needs of non-profit, religious, education and social services clients. These services include representing clients in real estate sales, lease and construction matters and various forms of finance issues, including tax-exempt financing. We regularly provide consultation on real estate tax matters.
Estate Planning/Fund Raising/Sophisticated Giving
The attorneys in our non-profit, religious, education, and social services organizations practice work with the firm's trust and estate lawyers on all aspects of fund raising and sophisticated giving programs.
The information on this website is for general purposes only and should not be interpreted as indicating that a certain result will occur in your specific legal situation.
The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, and any such certificate, award, or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois.