Episode 9 – Recognizing the Need for a Nonprofit Attorney for Maintenance and Growth

Host: May Harris, Esq.

Guest: Jacob Zerkle

“Having expertise is one thing, but you have to like your attorney. So, having that first conversation: is this a good fit for you? Is this a good fit for me? Do I have the experience that you need? If not, I'm not going to take on that client. When I hear what you need, I can connect you to other people who can help.”

- Jacob Zerkle

How Legal Counsel Supports Nonprofit Success and Compliance

Today, on the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, May is joined by Jacob Zerkle, a dedicated attorney in the nonprofit sector employed at Michael Best and Friedrich. He is also the brains behind Nonprofit Office Wisdom, a noteworthy feature on his LinkedIn profile. May and Jacob discuss the evolving landscape of nonprofit funding in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. They delve into the crucial topic of how nonprofit boards should navigate the process of selecting and hiring an attorney. Tune in today to gain insights into the potential drawbacks of choosing an attorney without nonprofit expertise.

In This Episode

A time-stamped guide to what you’ll hear.

  • [1:17] Jacob explains what led him to represent nonprofit organizations

  • [4:07] Jacob describes his role at Michael Best and Friedrich 

  • [7:23] The changes in the nonprofit atmosphere post-Covid

  • [11:07] Advise regarding what a nonprofit should look for in legal counsel and how to obtain those services 

  • [13:38] Jacob explains how the Nonprofit Office Wisdom series on LinkedIn came to be  

  • [16:46] Jacob describes the differences between a nonprofit and a regular attorney

Key Takeaways

Insightful moments and lessons from the conversation.

  • The regular attorney on your nonprofit board is different from the person who should be advising your board on issues. You need the advice of a nonprofit attorney.

  • ​Nonprofits have been struggling since COVID-19 because they have lost some government funding.

  • ​You need a nonprofit attorney to advise you on compensation for founders or directors.

Guest Bio: Jacob Zerkle

Jacob's practice is devoted to meeting the legal and tax needs of charities, private foundations, community foundations, and churches so that these organizations can focus on serving the city of Chicago and beyond. He enjoys advising organizations during the start-up process and throughout their life cycle, as well as individuals and for-profit entities collaborating with these organizations. Besides spending time with his wife and three crazy kids, he also loves diners and diner food, The Office with Steve Carell, and CrossFit (which is necessary to balance out the diner food).

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