- Legal Services for Nonprofits
Supporting client needs across multiple practice areas
- What We Do
At Lighthouse Legal, we offer a comprehensive range of legal services tailored for nonprofits, including public charities, private foundations, churches, social clubs, and fraternities. Whether you’re starting a new nonprofit, navigating complex tax regulations, or seeking ongoing legal support, we’re here to provide clear guidance and personalized solutions.
Comprehensive Legal Services for Nonprofits
Nonprofit Formation and Launch
Starting a new nonprofit? We guide you through the entire process, from incorporation to obtaining tax-exempt status, ensuring your organization is built on a solid legal foundation.
National
Government Actions and Compliance
We assist you in responding to state inquiries and investigations, ensuring your nonprofit can focus on its mission. Our support helps you navigate regulatory challenges and maintain compliance.
Indiana, Ohio, Georgia
Employment Matters
Whether you’re hiring your first employee, managing remote staff, or dealing with issues involving current or former employees, we provide comprehensive support to address all your employment-related legal needs.
Indiana, Ohio, Georgia
Nonprofit Structuring and Governance
Optimize your nonprofit’s structure to meet your goals. We provide guidance on forming subsidiaries, adjusting governance for tax purposes, and ensuring your organization is set up for long-term success and compliance.
National
Tax Compliance and Strategy
Navigate the complexities of federal tax regulations with our tailored advice. We help you manage potentially taxable activities and ensure your nonprofit remains compliant with IRS requirements, safeguarding your tax-exempt status.
National
Contracts
We draft, review, and negotiate contracts to ensure your nonprofit’s interests are protected. From vendor agreements to independent contractor templates, we provide comprehensive contract services that help you manage relationships and mitigate risks effectively.
Indiana, Ohio, Georgia
Intellectual Property
Safeguard your nonprofit’s branding and creative works by securing trademarks and copyrights. We assist with the application process through the USPTO, ensuring your intellectual property rights are upheld and your brand is protected.
National
Outside General Counsel
We act as your dedicated legal partner, providing ongoing support for everyday legal questions and issues. Whether you need advice on compliance, contracts, or risk management, we’re just a call or email away. Our goal is to offer reliable, accessible legal guidance that helps your nonprofit operate smoothly and confidently.
Indiana, Ohio, Georgia
Board Governance
We provide guidance on best practices for board governance, including structuring your board, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Our support helps your nonprofit maintain effective oversight and strategic direction.
National
Transparent Pricing
General Pricing
- Startups – Starting at $1,500 for a 501(c)(3). Other exemptions may have additional costs.
- Billable Rate – Our general billable rate is $250 per hour.
- Outside General Counsel – Pricing starts at $500 per month, depending on client needs.
Retainers and Payments
- Retainer – A retainer is required for all projects other than outside general counsel services.
- For projects larger than $2,000, the retainer is a minimum of $1,000.
- Projects under $1,000 require full payment before work begins.
Cost Management
- Refunds – If we finish the project below the estimated cost, we will refund the remaining balance.
- No Additional Charges – Generally, if the project takes us longer than expected, we DO NOT charge the client more. However, this does depend on the services and the nature of the additional challenges.
- Inclusive Pricing – We do not charge for technology, research, or credit card transaction fees. Most costs are factored into the total cost estimate.
Interested in working together? Let's talk.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you provide services?
Much of what we do can be provided no matter where your organization is located.
Nationwide Services: We assist organizations across the country with federal law matters, including tax guidance, IRS inquiries, trademarks, and tax exemptions.
State-Specific Services: For services like responding to Attorney General investigations and reviewing contracts or corporate documents, we can only provide support for organizations operating in Indiana, Ohio, and Georgia. However, we can provide templates for contracts and corporate documents in most states.
Why can’t we do everything for everyone? Attorneys can only practice law in the states where they are licensed, with limited exceptions. While each state usually has rules for multijurisdictional practice (MJP), these rules do not grant carte blanche to practice law nationwide. If you’re already a client of ours in Indiana, Ohio, or Georgia, we can usually assist you on a temporary basis in other states on a broader range of matters. For clients who use us as their outside general counsel, we have contacts in other states that we’ll bring in for help if it’s a matter we can’t handle.
What kind of clients do you work with?
At Lighthouse Legal, we work with nonprofits of all types and sizes. Whether you are exempt under 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), or (c)(7), or even if you have no exemption at all, we have the experience to address your needs and provide the guidance necessary to keep your organization running smoothly.
We also assist for-profit companies with nonprofit-related needs, such as setting up disaster funds for employees or answering questions about donations to donor-advised funds. Our goal is to support organizations in making a meaningful impact in their communities.
What’s included in the free consultation?
Our free consultation offers a no-cost conversation to discuss your legal needs, determine if we’re a good fit, and outline potential next steps.
Just shopping around? No problem! We believe hiring the right attorney is as important as hiring the right CFO. Use this opportunity to get familiar with us. If we aren’t a good fit, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.
What does it mean to be "outside" general counsel?
Being an outside general counsel means you can treat us as if we were right down the hall from you. Whenever you have a legal question, you can email or call us, and we’ll provide an answer promptly.
Why is it important? Having an outside general counsel is crucial because it offers proactive and integrated legal support. We participate in regular meetings and strategic planning sessions, allowing us to anticipate legal issues before they arise and provide ongoing advice tailored to your evolving needs. This proactive involvement helps you navigate potential legal challenges more effectively and ensures that your organization remains compliant and protected.
How is it different from any other lawyer? Unlike a lawyer who provides occasional advice, an outside general counsel offers a broader scope of services, including risk management, compliance, contract review, and general legal advice. We maintain a long-term, consistent relationship with you, similar to an in-house counsel but without the full-time employment costs. This consistency fosters a deeper understanding of your business and legal landscape, leading to more tailored and effective legal solutions. Additionally, we provide a cost-effective alternative to maintaining a full-fledged in-house legal department, offering high-quality legal support without the overhead costs associated with full-time employees. You also benefit from having a dedicated point of contact for all your legal needs, ensuring continuity and a personalized approach.
Discover our client-focused process, from start to finish.
1. Consultation
Begin by contacting us for a free consultation. During this conversation, we’ll discuss your legal needs and determine how we can best assist you.
2. Commencement
After our initial consultation, we’ll follow up with an engagement letter and an estimated pricing outline. This ensures you know what to expect and agree on the scope of work before we begin.
3. Communication
As we work on your project, we’ll keep you updated on our progress and seek your input when needed. You can reach us by phone or email at any time for updates or with questions.
4. Completion
Once we’ve completed your project, we’ll provide you with the final versions of all documents and refund any unused balances. We also retain your work for five years, so you can access it if needed in the future.