Nonprofits

Attorneys at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. have a profound understanding of the special issues faced by charitable organizations, whether in health care, economic development, human services, religion, education, the arts, youth development, or community service.

Each attorney focuses on particular areas of the law and possesses the in-depth knowledge required for providing efficient and effective legal services. Our collective experience in the nonprofit environment, knowledge of specific areas of law, and interest in the community make us a uniquely valuable legal resource for administrators, managers and board members in the following areas:

Business & Tax

Corporate Structure & Finance

Our business attorneys have been involved in developing the corporate structures of a wide array of institutions. Our experience includes obtaining federal tax-exempt status as well as sales tax exemptions. We have extensive experience with tax-exempt bonds, notes, and other financing methods as well as incorporation, merger, division, and dissolution of organizations. We interact effectively with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Orphans' Court on behalf of organizations when necessary in order to accomplish fundamental corporate changes. In addition, our experienced creditors’ rights attorneys can effectively handle your collection matters.

Fundraising & Development

Our attorneys have assisted in formulating strategies for growing endowment funds. We are skilled at drafting endowment and investment policies and have assisted groups in filing with the Pennsylvania Department of State for registration under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act. We can assist in the development of charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and other planned giving vehicles, from the simple to the complex. Members of our firm have also made presentations on estate planning on behalf of nonprofits.

Board Governance

Firm members are experienced in drafting and revising bylaws, are intimately familiar with governance issues including conflict of interest and confidentiality policies, and have made presentations on corporate governance to a variety of nonprofit boards.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulations governing nonprofit organizations become more numerous and complex each year. Our attorneys are knowledgeable of HIPPA, fraud and abuse regulations, and other regulations affecting healthcare providers as well as those impacting other fields. We understand how they affect nonprofit operations and can direct you, in clear terms, on what you really need to do to be in compliance.

Insurance & Benefits

The nature of your business makes it extremely vulnerable to insurance problems and premium increases. Whether you need to develop alternative business insurance arrangements or a new benefit plan for your employees, our attorneys can be of assistance. We will help you keep costs down while helping you maintain complete coverage and follow all regulatory guidelines.

Labor & Employment

Managing employees effectively is vital to the mission of your organization. Our labor and employment attorneys can help you do so by educating your supervisory staff on the laws critical to their dealings with employees. We can also assist you in drafting policies, procedures, and handbooks that will not only prevent employment claim problems but also create a fair environment and motivated workforce. When problems do occur, we will draw on our experience in dealing with them effectively.

Real Estate

Our real estate attorneys have assisted in a broad range of real estate transactions including the purchase, sale, and financing of property. We are also experienced in obtaining property tax exemption, drafting and reviewing leases, and structuring condominiums.

Litigation

Our litigation and workers’ compensation attorneys can provide training and advice on how to prevent incidents that may result in claims – saving you time and money so you can focus on your mission. In the event that you do face an incident or claim situation, we can help you manage it. Our attorneys regularly work with a number of insurance carriers and have handled many cases involving workers' compensation, employment issues, medical malpractice, and general liability. In order to get the best results, we will investigate an incident before it becomes a claim. When appropriate, we will seek to resolve claims through arbitration. And when necessary, we will protect your interests in court.

Workers’ Compensation

Our workers’ compensation attorneys have knowledge and experience in successfully handling all facets of the workers’ compensation claims process. We provide defense of workers’ compensation claims and related litigation. Our group offers counsel and training in accident prevention, the proper handling of claims, and the reduction of workers’ compensation costs. Additionally, we can assist in the preparation of forms and policy manuals regarding workers’ compensation claims.

Intellectual Property & Technology

Our experienced team of intellectual property attorneys can assist you in obtaining and protecting patents, trademarks, and copyrights, advise you on a full range of technology issues, and represent your interests in state and federal courts.