I love that they make the world a better place. I have devoted most of my over 35-year career as a practicing attorney, consultant, and nonprofit Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Board of Directors member and Chair to their development and success. Through my experience as a practicing attorney who has specialized in corporate governance for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and most recently as the visionary who organized and handled all aspects of a start-up nonprofit, including selection, onboarding, and training of Board members, I am uniquely qualified to consult and provide training nationwide on Board and Committee duties and liabilities, corporate policies, committee charters and operation, and officer compensation and benefits.

Nonprofit Governance Consultant

August 2022 to present

Description:

Establish a new consultancy based on over 35-years’ experience as an attorney working with all types and sizes of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, and as the creator and CEO of a start-up 501(c)(3) public charity. Focus exclusively on nonprofit governance and key employee compensation matters following incorporation, including Board, Committee, and officer training, and policies, procedures, and documentation in accordance with legal requirements and “best practices” for Board and Committee operations and decision-making.

Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair

January 2021 to August 2022

Description:

Inspired by my wife, Marni, who suffered for virtually all our more than 24-year marriage until her passing in May 2022 with a degenerative and extremely painful spinal condition called adhesive arachnoiditis, and based on my experience as her primary caregiver during all that time, develop a Mission for a nonprofit public charity to improve Quality of Life for people who suffer with severe chronic pain. Handle all aspects of its business, including incorporation; corporate organization and documentation (e.g., Bylaws, minutes, charters, policies, etc.); tax exemption; governance; website, email, and social media marketing; fundraising; compensation and benefits; development of an online store; etc. Recruit Board members and provide training and mentoring on all aspects of their fiduciary responsibilities and best practices. Develop and apply coaching program on advocacy for caregivers.

Practicing Attorney

March 2017 to January 2021

Description:

Provide legal services for nonprofit organizations, including corporate organization and governance, D&O Insurance, Bylaws, policies, Committee charters and operations, officer and director compensation and benefits, employment law, transactions, disputes, and litigation.

Corporate Counsel

December 2008 to March 2017

Description:

Handle legal matters for a tax-exempt nonprofit software development company whose major product is Medicare and Medicaid screening software, including all aspects of its organization and operation; Board and officer selection, responsibilities, and training; tax exemption; contracts; and fundraising through grants from government agencies and nonprofit foundations.

International Law Firm Partner

January 1986 to December 2008

Direct firm’s practice in Employee Benefits, ERISA, and Exempt Organizations, including counseling of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and other nonprofit tax-exempt charities in their fiduciary responsibilities; successfully conduct multiple federal court cases brought by the United States Department of Labor and other plaintiffs against nonprofit and retirement plan fiduciaries for breach of duties; and prepare fiduciary agreements, policies, charters, minutes, and other documents and correspondence regarding fiduciary decision-making and mitigation of risk.

EDUCATION

S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah
Juris Doctor
Associate Editor, Utah Law Review

Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Arts: International Relations and Spanish
Graduated magna cum laude
Member, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
Member of University Honors Program, Graduated with High Honors

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Professor
Arizona State University College of Law
Seminar on Fiduciary Duties and Liabilities in Today’s Legal Environment

Instructor
Arizona State University College of Business, Master’s Degree Program in Taxation
Course on Employee Benefits, including Fiduciary Responsibility under Title I of ERISA

Instructor
Keller Graduate School of Management, MBA Program
Courses on Employee Benefits and ERISA, including Fiduciary Responsibility, and Business Law, including Nonprofits