Blogs

Business and Financial Services

Why Board Members Must Review and Understand Form 990

For many nonprofit organizations, the annual Form 990 is treated as a routine accounting exercise. It is prepared by staff or outside advisors, perhaps reviewed briefly (if at all), and hopefully filed to satisfy minimum IRS requirements. In practice, however, Form 990 functions as something far more consequential for nonprofits. It is a public-facing document…

February 2, 2026

Business and Financial Services

What is Worrying Our Nonprofit Clients – Part 1: Repetitive Risk Issues

We have spent an intense year helping our nonprofit clients through a wide variety of threats and risks. During that time, we have seen and heard many repetitive concerns and worries expressed across a wide variety of organizations. Rather than siloing this information, we wanted to start a conversation around sharing best practices and approaches…

January 23, 2026

Business and Financial Services

When Is a Famous Trademark “Abandoned”?

Lessons from the Fight Over the TWITTER® Name If you have followed recent business or technology news, you may have seen headlines suggesting that the Twitter trademark might be “up for grabs.” That claim sounds shocking given the brand’s global recognition, but the dispute raises an important and very practical question for businesses of all sizes: Can…

January 13, 2026

Business and Financial Services

DEI – A TARGET: The DOJ Signals that DEI Programs Will Be an Enforcement Priority with the Use of the False Claims Act in 2026

As federal enforcement priorities continue to evolve, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made clear that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs will be subject to heightened scrutiny where they intersect with federal funding and civil rights compliance. In 2025, the DOJ formally announced the creation of a Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, signaling a renewed…

January 13, 2026

Business and Financial Services

Finding True North in Turbulent Times: Insights into Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Boards

In today’s environment of economic uncertainty, social transformation, and technological disruption, nonprofit boards must take a proactive and legally informed approach to strategic planning. Strategic oversight is a core governance function that directly affects mission fulfillment, legal compliance, and organizational sustainability. Boards need to actively engage on these topics or risk obsolescence. As outside legal…

November 24, 2025

Business and Financial Services

What Should a Nonprofit Board Member Think About Regarding a Merger or Acquisition?

Just like other businesses, nonprofits sometimes may need to think about potential merger and acquisition issues. In our legal practice, we have handled a number of affiliation deals or asset acquisitions involving nonprofits. This experience is consistent with what other sources report. Over the last five to ten years, the U.S. nonprofit sector has experienced…

October 1, 2025

Business and Financial Services

Appealing the Trial Court’s Decision

Losing at trial does not always mean the end of the road. Appeals allow a party to ask a higher court to review the case for legal errors. Timing and Process In Virginia, a notice of appeal must typically be filed within 30 days of judgment (or 10 days if you are appealing from General…

September 15, 2025

Business and Financial Services

After the Trial: How to Enforce Your Judgments

Many clients are surprised to learn that the trial is not always the end of the legal process. A judgment may establish liability, but it also sets in motion a series of post-trial procedures that can determine whether a party can collect money damages, stop an unlawful practice, or challenge the outcome. Understanding judgments, appeals,…

September 10, 2025

Business and Financial Services

Yes, Virginia, You Do Have to Respond to That Civil Investigative Demand

Receiving a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Office of the Virginia Attorney General can be a jarring experience. Whether you are the target of an investigation or an innocent third party, receiving a CID can leave you feeling uncertain about your next steps. But let’s be clear: a CID is not something you can…

June 23, 2025

Business and Financial Services

What’s New in HUBZone? A 2025 Update on Program Changes and Compliance

In early 2022, we outlined the requirements for businesses seeking and maintaining HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) certification. Since then, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has introduced a number of key regulatory changes and policy updates that materially affect HUBZone participants. From revised maps to clarified compliance standards, these changes are reshaping how small businesses…

June 23, 2025