:: Raymond P. D'Amante
:: R. James Steiner
:: Bryan L. Pellerin
Religious and Nonprofit Organizations
The firm counsels churches, camps, and other religious and nonprofit organizations on a full range of issues of concern to them, including:
• Incorporation
• Employment
• Taxation
• Real estate
• Risk management, including prevention of sexual abuse of minors
• Contracts
• All types of litigation and dispute resolution for churches and
nonprofit organizations.
Roy McCandless and Katherine Bradley have wide range of experience. Katherine brings a wide range of experience representing governmental entities. Roy represents numerous religious camps and churches on a wide range of corporate and business matters, employment law, real estate use, development and taxation. He has assisted local and national churches deal with conflict, internal disputes, and church discipline both in outside of the secular legal system. Roy has also worked in an executive role helping to manage nonprofits in New Hampshire, having served on the executive director team for the New Hampshire Vaccine Association and New Hampshire Health Plan, and as CEO of Concord Christian Academy, before joining the law firm. Roy practiced law with and was mentored by our long time friend and firm member Richard B. Couser, who passed away in 2008. Dick was well known in the legal and nonprofit community for his wise advice, and was the author of Ministry and the American Legal System, a 400 page hardcover guide for pastors and lay leaders of churches and religious organizations that has been described as “the best church law text in print.”
Risk Management to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children
The prevention of sexual abuse of minors is one of the most universal legal needs within the church. An incident can result in devastating personal consequences to those involved, and substantial financial consequences to the institution. One or more of our attorneys will present a seminar on risk management at your church, to your leadership group. A follow-up seminar has also been developed to explain the issue, and what steps are being taken to address it, suitable for presentation to your entire congregation or to a more limited group that may be directly affected by policies, such as Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, youth leaders, and others.
Christian Mediation and Arbitration
We can help resolve disputes between believers outside of the secular court system by providing a Christian mediator or arbitrator to resolve disputes in a Biblical framework.
Incorporation
We will help you start a new church or ministry by forming the necessary nonprofit corporation.
Legal Audit for Churches/Not Profits
We will review with you major legal issues that affect you to be sure your legal house is in order.
