San Diego Non-Profit Attorneys & Lawyers
How it Works
David Yamaguchi
Dean Sage
Troy Krich
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Daniel E. Goodrich
Karen Braveheart
David Lizerbram
Michael Wales
Alicia Dearn
Chris Czaplak
Colin Breeze
Michael Wexler
Kieran De Terra
Marco Torres
John Mccarthy
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Nikki Semanchik
Autumn Moody
Jonathan Paul
Julia Williams
Tom Gallagher
Matt Velasquez
Jason Eliaser
Tatiana Doran
Kenneth Rose
Anthony Girolami
Mark Y. Liu
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Jeffery Graham
John Abbene
Omar Nassar
Rick Waltman
Randy Berholtz
Jessica Hekmat
Mehran Alaei
William Mayer
Jason Woltman
Lauren L. Walker
Kymeshia Morris
San Diego Non-Profit Lawyers
Why You Need a Non-Profit Lawyer
In their efforts to save money, many non-profits avoid hiring an attorney. That's a mistake that can end up costing your organization more than it saves. Although starting a non-profit can be a very rewarding proposition, it can also be extremely complicated. Hiring a non-profit attorney in San Diego, California, is one of the best ways to ensure your future success, especially when it comes to these areas:
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Taxes: The main reason to start a non-profit is for tax exemption. A non-profit lawyer can help you apply for your 501(c)(3) so that your non-profit is exempt from taxation. They can also help you comply with 501(c)(3) laws so that your status is never at risk.
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Intellectual property: It's possible that your non-profit will have intellectual property (IP). This can be anything you use to identify or market your non-profit. A non-profit lawyer in San Diego can help protect your IP by filing for trademarks and service marks. This improves the legal standing of your non-profit if someone infringes on your IP.
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Founding documents: A non-profit lawyer is very useful when it comes to constructing the founding documents of your non-profit. This can include items like bylaws and amendment. Your attorney can also help resolve any conflicts that arise when writing these documents.
There is also the matter of getting help with common legal tasks. Many people are unprepared for the paperwork and networking required of a non-profit. This is why you need a non-profit lawyer. Some of the tasks your non-profit lawyer can perform include:
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Incorporating your non-profit.
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Writing contracts. These can include purchase agreements, employee contracts, and loan agreements.
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Facilitating interactions. This includes any relationships with other non-profits, as well as interactions with for-profit businesses.
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Provide consultation for your non-profit.
How to Find the Best Non-Profit Lawyer
If you've decided you need the services of a non-profit lawyer, you want to make sure that the person you're hiring is the best available. To find the best fit for your non-profit, follow these tips:
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Shop and ask around. Very few lawyers focus on non-profit work. This can make it difficult for you to find a high-quality non-profit lawyer in San Diego. To find the best lawyer for you, it's important to ask and shop around. Contact law firms to see if they do pro bono work. Ask for referrals from other non-profits in the San Diego area. You can even ask friends and family if they have any suggestions.
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Use referral services. A good way to find any type of lawyer is through a referral service. This is especially true when you use an online service. Online legal referral services allow you to save a great deal of time and money while searching for an attorney. They also provide a wide range of choices. This makes it much easier to find the right attorney for your non-profit.
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Ask the bar association: There are bar associations across the country that maintain lists of member attorneys. You can browse these lists for non-profit attorneys in San Diego who might be able to work for your non-profit.
Questions to Ask a Non-Profit Lawyer
Once you've narrowed down your options for a non-profit lawyer, you need to interview the likely candidates. Having a list of questions before your interviews will help you decide if an attorney is right for your non-profit. Here is a sampling of questions to ask a non-profit lawyer before hiring:
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Do they have non-profit experience? It's likely that many attorneys you interview will not have experience working for non-profits. This means they may not be able to perform necessary tasks or secure your tax-exempt status. Any attorney you hire should be very experienced in the non-profit field.
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Who will work on your case? It is common for attorneys at large law firms to delegate certain tasks to paralegals. This can pose a problem if you want your non-profit lawyer to give your legal tasks personal attention. Ask your attorney if they will be hands-on when working for your non-profit. If they do plan to use a paralegal, get an idea of which tasks the attorney will handle personally and which will be passed to someone else.
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When will tasks be completed? When starting a non-profit organization, certain tasks must be completed within a specific timeframe. This includes filing for your 501(c)(3) status. Talk to your attorney and ask how quickly they will be able to complete these tasks. A lawyer who delays important non-profit jobs is not the right lawyer for you.
If you're having trouble finding a great non-profit lawyer in San Diego, you need to start searching on UpCounsel. Our attorneys are knowledgeable, experienced, and reasonably priced. When you post your job on the UpCounsel marketplace, you'll be able to choose from the finest non-profit lawyers that San Diego, California, has to offer.
Why use UpCounsel to hire a San Diego Non-Profit Attorney?
Average experience
You always get experienced professionals and high caliber work.
Faster
Your work gets done quickly because professionals are always available.
More cost effective
We use technology to cut traditional overhead and save you thousands.
UpCounsel has been talked about in:
Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand San Diego Non-Profit Attorneys
On UpCounsel, you can find and connect with top-rated San Diego non-profit attorneys & lawyers that provide a range of non-profit law services for startup non-profits to more seasoned non-profits around the city of San Diego. Any of the top-rated San Diego non-profit lawyers you connect with will be available to help with a variety of your non-profit legal needs on-demand or on an ongoing basis.
From the forming of a non-profit organization to obtaining tax-exempt status from the IRS, to complying with federal and state laws governing fundraising and operations, the advice of experienced San Diego non-profit attorney is crucial throughout each stage of your non-profit’s growth. Whether you are forming a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), you can easily hire an experienced San Diego non-profit lawyer on UpCounsel for your on-demand or ongoing non-profit legal needs today.
Improve Your Legal ROI with Affordable Non-Profit Attorneys that service San Diego, CA.
What Our Customers Have to Say
"UpCounsel gives me access to big-firm lawyers minus the big-firm price tag. I work with several attorneys on the platform and there are never surprises...I always receive quality legal work at competitive rates that larger firms simply cannot match."
"Every startup needs to know about UpCounsel. We found great attorneys at great prices and were able to focus our resources on improving our business instead of paying legal bills."
"Before UpCounsel it was hard for us to find the right lawyer with the right expertise for our business. UpCounsel solves those problems by being more affordable and helping us find the right lawyer in no time."
This is the most recent 20 reviews out of 25 reviews for Non-Profit attorneys in California
Form Non-Profit
"Absolutely fantastic. Navigated a lengthy IRS issue for us with a very successful outcome. Will work with him again."
Peter N
.
San Jose,
CA,
over 1 year ago
Form Non-Profit
"There is no possible way i caould have done this whithout Ryans help."
David W
.
Laguna Niguel,
CA,
over 1 year ago
Form Non-Profit
"Marina, was with us every step of the way, clear, compassionate and concise correspondence. HIGH RECOMMEND."
Broadway Parties K
.
Roseville,
CA,
about 2 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Dean was very quick to respond and communicated in advance when he would be out of the office. He gave clear and concise advice on how to setup and structure my non-profit and was available for any questions I may have and responded expeditiously."
Saxe C
.
San Francisco,
CA,
almost 3 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Dean was extremely professional, responded quickly, and performed excellent work. I would highly recommend his services."
Tim H
.
San Clemente,
CA,
almost 4 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"He has been great to work with from start to finish."
Barbara L
.
North Hills,
CA,
almost 4 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"So glad we found Robert to help set up our non-profit. Very professional, attentive and knowledgeable. Explained step by step and went above and beyond to help us get started."
Julie T
.
Fontana,
CA,
about 4 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Dean is extremely professional, communicates clearly and transparently, and is easy to work with."
David G
.
San Francisco,
CA,
over 5 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Dean was quick to answer any and all questions researching all and verifying information when necessary."
Michael K
.
El Cajon,
CA,
about 6 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"He was great!"
Elise W
.
Antioch,
CA,
over 6 years ago
Other Non-Profit Matter
"I wholeheartedly recommend Dean Sage for anyone who has a need for assistance with non-profit law. his knowledge is thorough, his attention to detail is superb, and his response time is nearly instantaneous. You will be in good hands with Dean. Thomas McClure [President of the Iowa Hill Community Cemetery]"
Tom M
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Colfax,
CA,
over 6 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Most friendly, professional, kind and knowledgeable attorney I ever dealt with. I am so pleased with everything that Rafał provided me with. Truly a pleasure to know someone if that kind of character."
Alek B
.
Mount Shasta,
CA,
almost 7 years ago
Assist with Other Non-Profit Matter
"Dean did a great job in a timely manner. He understood our problem and helped us get our organization back on track."
Tom M
.
Colfax,
CA,
almost 7 years ago
Assist with Other Non-Profit Matter
"Mr. Wrobel was very patient and helpful. I had literal pages of questions for him and he not only gave clear answers to the ones that needed extensive explaining, but also was very nice with regards to the ones that may have seemed a bit obvious. His knowledge of California Nonprofit Law is extensive and he offered up some great advice. Will definitely work with him again in the future. Thank you, Mr. Wrobel!"
Emily S
.
Sherman Oaks,
CA,
about 7 years ago
Form Non-Profit
"Thomas was very knowledgeable and responsive"
Wendi M
.
San Diego,
CA,
over 7 years ago
Non-Profit Formation Services
"Good attorney. She is knowledgeable and organized. Highly recommend."
Sofia L
.
Chino Hills,
CA,
almost 8 years ago
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Non-Profit Formation Services
"We hired Erin to form our nonprofit organization and complete the necessary documents at the state and federal level. She was a true professional, patient, informative, easy to work with and talk to about our concerns and issues. We're actually sad that the process is over! Erin completed our federal 501c3 form while guiding us to create our state documents internally. She always responded to our questions right away and was patient as we navigated our lives, professionally, personally and philanthropically. We highly recommend anyone starting a non profit organization work with Erin!"
Cheryl L
.
San Francisco,
CA,
about 8 years ago
Non-Profit Formation Services
"Seth was awesome. He handled our non-profit formation with speed and efficiency. Can't recommend him highly enough. He jumped on the phone with us and ran us through the process in detail and it all went through without a hitch. Now we are just waiting on the IRS to make our non-profit official. I wish they were as fast as Seth!!"
Perry K
.
Beverly Hills,
CA,
over 8 years ago
501(c)3 Compliance Assistance for Co
"Thomas and the Non Profit Legal Center are great. They did great work on our non profit startup and they were very patient and helpful. We definitely recommend their services to everyone in need of non-profit legal work."
Ryan A
.
Venice,
CA,
over 8 years ago
Non-Profit Formation Services
"Sunita was extremely organized, knowledgeable and professional in helping us form our non-profit. We were extremely well informed during the entire process and were given concise, straight-forward explanations to the few questions we presented. Highly recommended."
Travis G
.
San Diego,
CA,
over 9 years ago
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Key Takeaways
- A nonprofit organization is formed to serve the public or a specific mission, not to earn profits for private benefit.
- There are many different types of nonprofit classifications under IRS code, with 501(c)(3) being the most common.
- Nonprofits must meet federal and state requirements for tax exemption and public transparency.
- The key difference between nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations often lies in their structure and operational purpose.
- Nonprofits can generate revenue, but all surplus must be reinvested in the organization’s mission.
- Founders do not own a nonprofit; control is typically vested in a board of directors or trustees.
- Starting a nonprofit requires careful planning, legal filings, and regulatory compliance.
- Nonprofits often depend on grants, donations, membership fees, and fundraising for financial support.
A nonprofit organization is an entity formed to mee
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- Agreements should include clear, s
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