“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”— Yogi Berra
Jonathan Cohen is an associate in the nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations practice area who advises mission-driven organizations on corporate matters spanning from formation and tax qualification, through ongoing governance and compliance, to complex transactions and operational matters.
Jon helps clients select appropriate forms of organization, drafts organizational documents, and qualifies nonprofit organizations for federal income tax exemption as well as sales and real estate tax exemption. He prepares conflict of interest and conflict disclosure policies and procedures and advises clients on public charity requirements and federal tax exemption compliance.
When nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations want to develop and expand their organizational structures, he helps them navigate mergers, acquisitions, and corporate affiliations. He also assists nonprofit clients with structuring joint ventures with for-profits and negotiates and documents strategic alliances between nonprofits. Across the entire process, Jon helps document fiscal sponsorship arrangements, negotiates and drafts contracts and intellectual property licenses, and advises clients on their commercial and entrepreneurial activities
Nonprofit and tax-exempt clients also rely on Jon’s counsel in governance matters, including understanding fiduciary duties and liabilities, governance best practices, policies and procedures, and legal compliance for board members. He also provides guidance on the use of volunteers and interns by these clients.
Jon applies hands-on knowledge of board governance, compliance procedures, and revenue diversification that he acquired through his previous experience as Deputy Director and Senior Counsel at a nonprofit organization that provides legal services to community organizations.
Jonathan is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York State. He graduated from Trinity College in 2003, earned his MA with merit from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2004, and received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 2012.
