Traps For The Unwary In New York Nonprofit Law

David Goldstein is the Chair of our Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organizations Practice Group. He represents international, national, regional, and local not-for-profit and religious entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. Mr. Goldstein counsels and advocates for nonprofits and religious organizations in a wide variety of areas, including governance, compliance, regulatory matters, ethics, conflicts of interest, risk assessment and risk management, as well as operations and commercial matters. 

He represents clients (both individuals and organizations) in internal disputes, regulatory investigations and regulatory actions, as well as in litigation – and continually counsels his clients on how to avoid these entanglements. He handles regulatory matters involving the Internal Revenue Service (including 501(c)(3) qualification) and New York State agencies such as the Charities Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State, the Division of Cemeteries, the Education Department, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Homes and Community Renewal, and the Office of Mental Health. Mr. Goldstein is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s governing body, the House of Delegates. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section, is the former Chair, Vice Chair, Program Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Business Law Section, and formerly served on the New York State Bar Association’s Bylaws Committee. Mr. Goldstein previously served 5 consecutive terms as the Chairperson of the NotFor-Profit Corporations Law Committee of the State Bar Association’s Business Law Section. 

At the most recent New York State Bar Association annual meeting, he was elected to again chair the Not-For-Profit Corporations Law Committee. Mr. Goldstein is a frequent speaker and panelist on nonprofit legal matters, including at American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association programs, at legal and accounting continuing education seminars, and at various forums and conferences addressing legal issues affecting the nonprofit community. Prior to joining Certilman Balin, he was a partner at a Manhattan law firm where he practiced general corporate and securities law. He also gained extensive international experience, working with clients and local counsel in 35 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

 Mr. Goldstein graduated cum laude and in the top 10% of his class at Fordham Law School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies from the State University of New York at Old Westbury. At Fordham, he was a member of the International Law Journal and was honored with the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.