At the center of the Fowler Law Firm's tagline, "Not Your Conventional Law Firm™" is the importance we place on giving back to our local community. That is why it was a welcome surprise this week to make the Austin Business Journal list of Austin law firms that stand out as pro bono superstars. It is further evidence that our strategy of community involvement makes our firm competitive with even the biggest law firms in the city.
One of the ways we strive to support local nonprofits is as a resource for important information about common areas of difficulty for many who work or serve as a volunteer for such organizations. That is why we have created a unique webinar called Most Expensive Mistakes Charitable Leadership Make, You Can Easily Avoid™. The presentation, which will soon be offered to local nonprofits, covers important details on lawful fundraising, transfer of assets, filing tax returns, reporting wages, and 1099 compensation - yes, sadly charitable organizations are required by law to do all these things. Fowler Law attorneys regularly provide counsel to charitable organizations on such topics. While we cannot offer pro bono services to every nonprofit, our webinar is designed to cover important topics that can help them avoid expensive mistakes.
Educational and scholarship foundations will always remain a top priority for the Fowler Law Firm's pro bono service. Then, there is affinity for chamber of commerce associations like Austin Bar Foundation, Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and chambers like Georgetown Chamber - whose community service through their foundations is directed to those who have true need.
Appointing a close family member or friend of the deceased or incapacitated who has no training or experience in fiduciary acts can place that person in harm's way. Accusations can arise against fiduciaries simply because they failed to record what they did and the reasons why. Family members and business partners' friends serving as an attorney in fact (power of attorney), independent executors administering the assets of an estate, and guardians of minor children with access to their assets are all groups in which many very serious allegations are asserted every year. These often well-intentioned individuals have been placed in these positions without fully understanding what they were agreeing to.
What Fowler Law attorneys do to help these very deserving groups is not nearly as exciting and moving as what the charities and volunteers themselves do. Because many nonprofits operate with volunteer-based Boards of Directors, it can leave them vulnerable to costly legal mistakes. In Texas, all nonprofits must have at least three governing board members. Even with the smallest governing boards, that adage, "Two's Company; Three's a Crowd" often plays out with the fate of the charity ending badly.
We will be sending out more information soon including our list of top ten mistakes charitable leaders make with helpful resources. We will also be releasing our schedule of upcoming webinar presentations and music videos featuring local performing artists who make mastering these legal principles more memorable. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more details and check our website for the latest updates.
We thank every charitable leader who, by allowing us to serve them, enable the Fowler Law Firm, PC to be recognized in these remarkable ways. We especially thank Patricia Rogers, Senior Reporter at ABJ for keeping and compiling its "Book of Lists." Her outside-of-the-box thinking to compile such lists, and the meaning and purpose of business and life is truly visionary. We consider the Austin Business Journal a great resource for the local business community.
The Fowler Law Firm, PC provides a free initial consultation to anyone needing help with nonprofit law.
About your authors:
Laura Fowler is the Managing Shareholder of The Fowler Law Firm PC. She is a regular speaker to real estate and business groups and an instructor licensed to teach continuing education courses required by the Texas Real Estate Commission.
About The Fowler Law Firm PC: Attorneys with The Fowler Law Firm PC proudly donate their talents and resources to many area charities and teach courses in Continuing Education Click HERE for more information. Follow our charitable adventures on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.