Overview

Faith-Aligned Legal Counsel

Religious institutions and faith-based organizations like yours are valued, long-standing contributors to our society. And you face a unique blend of spiritual calling and legal responsibility, often navigating complex governance structures, evolving regulations, and sensitive risk areas. By partnering with Michael Best, you can be fully prepared to address legal challenges and mitigate risks.

Our team has served as general counsel to hundreds of religious and faith-based organizations across the country, including churches, church-affiliated hospitals and senior living facilities, religious nonprofits, denominations, religious and educational camps, schools and universities, synagogues, missionary foundations and conferences, and social services entities. We’re ready to help you navigate the complex waters of faith-based law so you can get back to serving the people in your community and beyond.

Our Approach: Counsel That Honors Your Calling

We combine legal rigor with an understanding of faith-based governance and culture to deliver clear roadmaps and actionable risk management protocols.

Mission & Risk Discovery

  • We begin by listening—learning your mission, governance model, and areas of legal exposure. This foundational step ensures our counsel is aligned with your faith identity and operational realities.

Compliance & Policy Audit

  • Our proprietary 50-point checklist evaluates your current policies, procedures, and legal posture. Together, we identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for alignment with legal standards and your statement of faith.

Customized Legal Strategy

  • We craft a tailored legal roadmap that addresses areas such as child protection protocols, employment policies, tax planning, governance updates, or other mission-critical needs. Every recommendation is grounded in legal rigor and theological sensitivity. And our predictable pricing means you can focus on implementing the best plan for your organization.

Implementation & Training

  • We don’t just hand over documents—we walk with you through implementation. From policy drafting and regulatory filings to staff training and board education, we ensure your team is equipped and confident.

Ongoing Support & Refresh

  • Laws change. So do ministry needs. We provide long-term support, regular policy refreshes, and proactive alerts to keep your organization compliant, protected, and mission-focused.

Focus Areas

Mission-Focused Legal Guidance

Our tailored solutions are designed to align with your values and help your organization thrive. Whether you need periodic support or full-service outside general counsel.

Get support for all legal aspects of running a nonprofit business and a religious organization.

  • Corporate governance and bylaws
  • Employment management and policies
  • Commercial Contracts
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Financial transactions/capital raises
  • Real estate purchases and leasing
  • Succession planning

Ensuring the safeguarding of your invaluable tax-exempt privileges.

  • Endowment fund and restricted gifting issues
  • 501(3)(c) status, group tax exemption, and reclassification requests
  • Charitable solicitation registration
  • Tax controversy and litigation
  • Unrelated business taxable income issues
  • IRS and attorney general audits
  • Property tax exemption filings and appeals
  • Excess benefit transactions

Enhance the safety and well-being of children in your care.

  • Development of child protection policies and best practices.
  • Training in abuse identification, preventative measures, and reporting requirements.
  • Investigations of harm and abuse and recommendations for reporting to authorities, improving policies, and caring for those involved.

Set clear expectations and establish alignment within your organization around policies, laws, regulations, and best practices.

  • Security policies
  • Social media policies
  • Gun policies

Proactively identify and mitigate potential issues before they arise, reducing liability and ensuring that your attention remains undivided to focus on your faith-based mission.

  • Training on abuse allegations reporting
  • Insurance
  • Church-based counseling programs
  • Waivers of liability/terms and conditions
  • Constitutional/government issues
  • Privacy and information security
  • Document retention
  • Facility usage
  • General risk management

Strategically manage and protect your intellectual assets.

  • Trademarks & Policies

Leverage our counsel’s deep experience to navigate the intersection of federal and state employment laws and their applications, ensure compliance, and proactively implement HR best practices.

  • Employee benefits
  • Employee handbooks
  • Employment issues & disputes
  • Immigration
  • Internal investigations involving leader/staff wrongdoing
  • Clergy considerations such as the ministerial housing allowance, church autonomy, the ministerial exception, and faith-based protections

Receive precise and insightful management of your case.

  • Litigation Matters
  • Allegations of abuse
  • Litigation involving defamation, abuse, internal member conflict, and internal leadership/governing board conflict
  • Breach of contract
  • Financial fraud and mismanagement
  • Land use/zoning and property disputes

Experience

Your Trusted Legal Partner

Get connected to specialized expertise in religious governance, nonprofit law, employment, child protection, and tax-exempt compliance, tailored to the unique needs of your ministry.

"The Michael Best team has been a tremendous resource for our church around a multitude of topics. Our church has grown to the point where there are several legal considerations when dealing with debt financing, HR issues, employment law, liability issues, ministry funding, etc. James and his team have made it possible to stay focused on our mission while knowing that these other issues are being watched over by a group that is competent and cares."
— Rick Raiford, Definition Church
Senior Executive Pastor (North Carolina)
"We’ve enjoyed working with the team at Michael Best. They took us through their legal overview process, and it was extremely helpful to get an outside perspective on our risk management initiatives. Their proactive approach sets them apart, showing genuine commitment to resolving potential issues efficiently and effectively. On specific projects, they are responsive and knowledgeable. Their perspective from representing so many churches is extremely helpful."
— Deb Parnell, Operations Director
Woodsedge Community Church (Texas)
"I’m thankful for the Michael Best team. They have supported Summit Church for nearly 20 years through all of our growth. They are tremendous in the day to day: responsive, qualitatively excellent, and business savvy. They are a trusted advisor and ensures that the right attorneys are involved on our file for various needs. They are focused on pricing predictability and transparency, allowing us to budget accurately for legal expenses. What sets them truly apart, however, is their understanding of our desire to balance legal risks with Gospel care. We not only want to be legally compliant but “above approach.” We not only want to protect the church but also care for all of those involved in any particular situation – no matter how difficult. Highly recommended."
— Todd Ervin, The Summit Church
CFO and Executive Pastor/Ministry Support (North Carolina)

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