Nonprofit organizations and local governments face a plethora of legal challenges that can impact their daily operations. From navigating complex public policies to ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations, designing new programs and implementing large projects involves a legal landscape that can be overwhelming for those without the necessary expertise. That’s where hiring a legal consultant comes in.
“We are more than a law firm,” said Terri Reynolds, managing attorney at Levitate Legal & Consulting, LLC. “Our team brings each client a wide array of experiences, perspectives and relationships. This allows us to add value on day one, but our long-term objective is to translate that into actual dollars earned or saved for each client.”
A knowledgeable and experienced legal consultant can help nonprofits and local governments navigate these complicated processes and ensure that they are operating within legal boundaries. Consultants provide a wide range of services, including legal compliance reviews, contract negotiation, risk management, and general counsel.
One of the key benefits of working with a consultant team that is grounded in the law is the ability to minimize the risks associated with noncompliance. Nonprofits and local governments must adhere to strict regulations, and failure to comply can result in severe penalties. In addition to elevating internal operations and capacity, consultants help organizations stay up-to-date with new laws and regulations, ensuring that they are not only compliant but also avoid costly legal disputes that can arise from noncompliance.
In addition, legal consultants can provide specialized advice in areas such as employment law, intellectual property rights, and tax-exempt status. They have a deep understanding of the legal issues that nonprofits and local governments may encounter, making them better equipped to provide practical solutions to any problems that arise.
Moreover, legal consultants can also offer significant cost savings over the long term. By identifying potential legal issues early on, consultants can help organizations avoid expensive litigation and other legal disputes. Additionally, by providing ongoing legal support, consultants can help ensure that an organization’s operations are always in line with legal requirements, preventing costly mistakes down the line.
“The legal component is only the tip of the iceberg of the services Levitate Legal offers its clients. We consult on policy initiatives, strategic planning, grant writing and administration, project planning, program evaluation, among other services. We believe this full suite of services allows our clients to maximize the value of hiring our team,” said Reynolds.
Real-world examples of legal consultants helping nonprofits and local governments abound. For instance, our team helped a nonprofit avoid losing its tax-exempt status by ensuring that it met all of the necessary IRS requirements. In another case, our attorneys helped a local government negotiate a complex contract, potentially saving the municipality millions of dollars in the process.
For nonprofits and local governments, compliance with legal regulations is essential. By hiring a knowledgeable and experienced consultant with a legal background, these organizations can grow their impact while navigating complex legal processes, avoiding costly legal disputes, and ensuring they are always operating within the bounds of the law.
