Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. Forms Not- For- Profit Practice Group

Expands Services to Support Growing Legal Needs of Not-for-Profits

Uniondale, NY – October 5, 2016 – Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., announces the formation of a Not-for-Profit Practice Group to handle the growing legal needs of not-for-profit (NFP) organizations, including the steps needed to be taken to ensure compliance with the new Revitalization Act.

“Ruskin Moscou Faltischek is committed to supporting Long Island’s communities, which include the significant work being done by not-for-profits to benefit the most vulnerable members of our region,” said Adam Silvers, Managing Partner, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.  “Each of these groups is entitled to top legal counsel which we are very pleased to provide.”

Staffed by seven seasoned attorneys, the multi-disciplinary practice group combines the expertise from each of the members’ respective practice areas including real estate, employment law, litigation, trust & estate planning, and corporate law, with the firm’s strong  knowledge and deep understanding of the unique needs of the not-for-profit community.  More than 50 of the firm’s attorneys currently serve as officers and/or board members to many leading NFPs.

“We have worked with NFPs now for over 25 years, from small groups to large,     nationally focused organizations,” continued Silvers.  “We are very pleased to now formally combine our traditional business practice groups with our not-for-profit expertise into        one cohesive team providing a distinctive service to the entire not-for-profit community.  These groups not only have to navigate their way through the many standard legal issues that routinely impact their organizations, but now, the many new policies and procedures that must be adopted in order to be compliant with new industry acts.”

The Not-for-Profit Revitalization Act, which went into effect last year, provided the first major overhaul of New York State’s not-for-profit laws in more than 40 years.  Changes that need to be addressed by NFPs include financial reporting, audit procedures, real estate transactions, corporate proceedings, employee policies and more.

“The complications of these new laws and other regulations are examples of why NFPs must have professional guidance at every level,” said E. Christopher Murray, Partner, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. and Co-Chair of its new Not-for-Profit Practice Group. “We will be working by our client’s side through this process.”

“The world of not-for-profit management has become increasingly more complex every year, especially for an organization that has seen increased demand for its services,” said Theresa Regnante, President & CEO, the United Way of Long Island. “In order to effectively manage this process and to help more people receive assistance, we need to work with attorneys that are knowledgeable about the changes and challenges we face.”

The new Not-for-Profit Practice Group will be co-chaired by Chris Murray, a partner in the Litigation Department at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, and Leora Ardizzone, who serves as of counsel for Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, where she is a member of the firm’s Health Law Regulatory and Transactional Departments, Healthcare Professionals Practice Group and Cybersecurity Group.

Chris Murray is also chair of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek’s Environmental and Land Use Practice Group.  He is a past president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, the umbrella organization for over 40 local chambers of commerce in Nassau County, representing more than 6,000 small businesses. Chris also serves on the board of a number of charities and not-for-profit organizations, and is currently the President of the Nassau County Mental Health Association and the Autism Legal Foundation.

Leora Ardizzone focuses on healthcare, and represents hospitals, physician practice groups, practice management companies and other entities providing ancillary services to the healthcare industry. She is an adviser to healthcare clients in a variety of general corporate matters including formation or dissolution of professional entities, employment matters, financing, and acquisition and sale of professional practices.  She also counsels healthcare clients in connection with federal and state regulatory issues that affect their businesses, as well as licensure and professional conduct matters.

The Not-for-Profit Practice Group will also be comprised of six additional attorneys including Anthony Baronci, Of Counsel; Alexander Bateman, Partner; Andrew Garbarino, Of Counsel; Kimberly Malerba, Partner; David Schoenhaar, Partner; and Thomas Telesca, Partner.

For more than 48 years, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., headquartered in Uniondale, has built a reputation as one of the region’s leading providers of innovative legal services. Its attorneys are practical, experienced advocates who measure their success by their clients’ success. Cornerstone groups in all major practice areas of the law are represented at the firm, including corporate & securities, financial services, commercial litigation, intellectual property, health care, real estate, employment, not-for-profit, cybersecurity and data privacy, energy, and trusts & estates. Clients include large and mid-sized corporations, not-for-profits, privately held businesses, institutions and individuals.