|
Robert Cowden concentrates his practice on the affairs of nonprofit organizations. He serves as counsel to operating charitable organizations, many of which are educational or social services organizations, to trade associations and to grant-making foundations. His work for these organizations includes the following subject areas: Business and corporate matters: initial organizational issues and incorporation; structuring multi-corporate arrangements; mergers; purchases and sales of assets; conventional and tax-exempt bond financing; corporate governance, including fiduciary duties of directors and officers; executive compensation and employment agreements; insolvency and receiverships; structure and modification of charitable gifts; management of charitable funds; and real estate projects for operating entities. Mr. Cowden has served as court-appointed receiver for insolvent charitable organizations at the request of the Massachusetts Attorney General and as an expert witness in litigation involving issues of fiduciary duties of directors and attorney malpractice. Tax matters: securing and maintaining tax-exempt status; unrelated business income tax; intermediate sanctions; legislative and political activities; private foundation excise-tax rules; tax-deductions for current charitable gifts; state sales taxes; and local property taxes. Governmental affairs: government grants, contracts and competitive procurements; compliance with charities laws; licensure requirements; rate regulation for educational and social services programs; audits and related protests; exemption from local zoning requirements; drafting legislation and associated legal memoranda; testimony on government regulations; and lobbyist registration and reporting. Mr. Cowden also represents individuals and closely-held businesses in the fields of architecture and publishing. Mr. Cowden has participated as speaker and author in numerous continuing education programs. He serves as director, secretary and chair of the compensation committee of United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Inc., as an Overseer of WGBH Educational Foundation and as a trustee of several grant-making foundations. He is a past Co - Chairman of the Boston Bar Association Committee on Tax-Exempt Organizations. | 