Seminar Reveals Common Pitfalls and Best Practices in Nonprofit Operations

As the resident expert on nonprofit bylaws, Sam Coppersmith delivered an eye-opening, informative seminar about the many common pitfalls and best practices associated with drafting or revising bylaws. Speaking during a National Business Institute live audio webinar delivered on Feb. 16, Sam delved into the intricacies of bylaws, which are the foundational guidelines that govern internal management of every nonprofit. The presentation explored the best processes for updating nonprofit bylaws, what to include (and not include) in specific provisions, as well as a focus on the most common mistakes found in nonprofit bylaws. Geared primarily to attorneys, executive directors, trustees, officers, presidents and vice presidents of nonprofit organizations, the content included discussion of a member-elected or self-perpetuating board, the process for adopting and updating bylaws, a step-by-step...

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Kathy Steadman Shares Benefits Experience at Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat

Every year, the Institute for the Advancement of Behavioral Healthcare tackles big issues in the industry. This year was no different as Kathy Steadman was called upon to join an esteemed panel at the Treatment Center Investment & Valuation Retreat held Dec. 5-7 in Scottsdale. Sitting in front of an audience of owners and senior executives from the addiction treatment and recovery community, Kathy and the panel discussed new business opportunities that have arisen as behavioral health, especially addiction treatment, has become more mainstream and necessary. Moderated by the Director of IABH Doug Edwards, the panel tackled the many ethical challenges facing owners, operations, and investors involved with or looking to become part of multifaceted behavioral health solutions. Similarly, they also provided context about the complex interaction...

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Sam Coppersmith Delivers Seminar on Legal Issues for Hospital Trustees at AzHHA Annual Leadership Conference

Attorney Sam Coppersmith was tapped by the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) to help hospital trustees navigate their roles during a special presentation at the organization’s Annual Leadership Conference, held Oct. 27-28 in Marana, AZ. “Trustee 101: A Toolkit for New (and Not-So-New) Hospital Trustees” was tailored specifically for new hospital trustees and examines key legal issues likely to face them as they serve their hospitals. These include fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, nonprofit and public hospital standards, such as community need, tax-exemption, open meeting laws and public finance. Additionally, Sam offered insights on defenses for board members who act in good faith....

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Jim Belanger Uses Ethics Expertise, Experience on State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Committee to Help Arizona’s Attorneys Prepare for the Future

Taking a look at the future of any profession is challenging, but especially the legal field where attorneys not only need to keep up with the latest cases and precedents, but also uphold the highest possible ethical standards for themselves and their practices. This significant topic of discussion among attorneys was the driving force behind a continuing legal education session "Guerrilla Law: Ethical Issues for the Future Practice of Law," presented by Jim Belanger. Especially well-versed in the subject, Jim is Coppersmith Brockelman's expert on white-collar criminal defense, corporate and government investigation, professional liability and ethics, and civil and regulatory litigation.  He also represents lawyers in disciplinary matters involving the State Bar of Arizona. Presented in collaboration with Keith Swisher, former associate dean of development and legal...

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Kristen Rosati on Planning Committee for National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Workshop on Data Sharing

Kristen Rosati Shares Health Care Privacy Expertise with IAPP and AzHHA

Kristen Rosati shared her expertise on Big Data and health care privacy with a joint meeting of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association on Sept. 29. Named the Best Lawyers® Phoenix Health Care Law “Lawyer of the Year” for 2014 and 2017, Kristen is one of the foremost HIPAA compliance attorneys in the nation. Her presentation shed light on a question facing many health care organizations today: how to share “Big Data” in an era of clinical integration. She explored statutory and regulatory privacy restrictions for data sharing arrangements including HIPAA, federal substance abuse treatment regulations, and state health information confidentiality laws....

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Sam Coppersmith Educates Social Venture Partners Arizona About Advocacy for Foundations, Public Charities

Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ), a network of local philanthropists who take a venture capital approach to funding nonprofits, recently hosted Sam Coppersmith to share his expertise on philanthropy and public policy. He explained why it’s critical for charitable organizations to educate lawmakers and the public about policies that impact their missions and the communities they serve – and what they need to keep in mind from a legal standpoint. With more than three decades’ experience working with nonprofit organizations, Sam’s presentation demystified the legal framework governing permissible advocacy activities for foundations and public charities, and helped SVPAZ members understand how to advocate for critical issues and become champions in their communities....

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