Associations

Anticipating and avoiding legal exposure.

Virtually every association faces questions of legal significance from time to time. From startup structural issues to complex transactions or litigation, there are regulatory and practical requirements to keep in mind. Our Association Law attorneys have extensive experience addressing such matters, allowing association leaders to focus on the mission of their organization.

Overview

Minimizing risk and defending alleged violations of laws, regulations, and bylaws

Whether scrutiny comes from disgruntled members, nonmembers, government regulators, or the courts, we are deeply familiar with and prepared for challenges to association actions, and we provide sound, creative, and workable solutions for association leaders.

The Spencer Fane Associations Law team advises associations of all types – incorporated or unincorporated, large or small – and we can help any association anticipate and avoid legal exposure. However, if unfortunate events have already created a risk of liability, we can move quickly to reduce that risk or defend against alleged violations.

A wide variety of industries. In addition to knowing the legal needs common to most associations, our Association Law attorneys have developed knowledge of numerous industries in which associations operate – among them agriculture, athletics, education, health care, and entertainment.

Religious, charitable, condominium, and other associations. We also have experience working with religious, charitable, property-related, and other associations of all sizes and forms.

Without interfering in policy decisions, we use our familiarity with the substance of associations’ affairs to “hit the ground running” and provide time-sensitive, customized counsel in a wide variety of areas, including:

  • Antitrust
  • Bylaws
  • Certification, accreditation and standard-setting programs
  • Contracts
  • Corporate governance
  • Election law and restrictions on political activity
  • Employee benefits and executive compensation
  • Employment law
  • Formation and creation of legal entities
  • Governance disputes
  • Litigation prevention and litigation
  • Member discipline
  • Subsidiaries, affiliations, and combinations
  • Tax matters