The View from Jones Street: Legislation Impacting Nonprofits and Effective Advocacy Tips

Embassy Suites, Raleigh-Durham/RTP 
201 Harrison Oaks Blvd. 
Cary, NC 
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 

Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law and principal of Perkinson Law Firm, will present at a nonprofit seminar sponsored by Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. Perkinson will present on legislation impacting nonprofits and provide effective advocacy tips. The seminar will focus on the pressing financial and operational issues facing nonprofit organizations today. Seminar speakers will provide information and answers to a variety of issues facing nonprofit executives and engage in a discussion on current best practices and trends in the nonprofit industry. The seminar is free.  Register online.

Attorney Ashley Perkinson Receives Duke University Nonprofit Management Certificate

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 30, 2010) – Perkinson Law Firm announces Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law, has completed the Duke University Nonprofit Management Certificate program. Attorney Perkinson represents various clients in North Carolina and provides services in the areas of nonprofit consulting, education law, media law, lobbying and government relations.

The Duke University Nonprofit Management Certificate courses tackle skills important to the management and fiscal support of nonprofit organizations. The courses available through the program cover practical and necessary topics, including board relationships, evaluation, finance, fund raising, human resources, information technology, leadership and management, legal issues, marketing and public relations, organizational development and volunteer management.

Perkinson Law Firm provides counsel for nonprofits on a broad array of issues such as formation, resource development and grant writing, tax-exemption, charitable solicitation, IRS compliance, bylaws and policies, board governance, employment and staffing, contract development and review, project consulting, lobbying and advocacy.

"The Duke Nonprofit Management Certificate program is a valuable resource which provides important and useful information for nonprofit leaders across the country,” said Perkinson. “I encourage anyone in a nonprofit leadership or consulting role to enroll in this program."

Perkinson´s experience in the nonprofit and business sectors goes far beyond her client work and is exhibited through her extensive volunteer commitments and community leadership. Perkinson serves on the Extra Special Super Kids Steering Committee and the NC Symphony Corporate Advisory Council. She is also president-elect of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County and an active volunteer in the Junior League of Raleigh.

As an active member of the legal community, Perkinson serves as secretary of the Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District Bar. She is also the legislative chair of the NC Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Council which focuses on First Amendment issues.

                                            

Perkinson has practiced as an attorney in North Carolina for nearly 10 years. Her legal experience includes work at Everett, Gaskins, Hancock & Stevens, LLP in Raleigh and Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP in Winston Salem. She received her juris doctorate from the School of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she also earned her bachelor of arts from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  

About Perkinson Law Firm:

Perkinson Law Firm, based in Raleigh, N.C., advocates for the advancement of nonprofits, businesses, community groups and individuals in the Triangle and surrounding areas.  Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law and principal of Perkinson Law Firm, works to meet the unique needs of each client by tailoring a diverse range of services in the areas of government relations, nonprofit consulting, media law and education law. For more information, visit http://www.perkinsonlawfirm.com/

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Starting Off Right: IRS Webinar for New 501(c)(3) Organizations

The Exempt Organization section of the IRS is offering a webinar at 2 p.m. on November 18. Learn important things that new 501(c)(3) organizations should know. Register online.

Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County Names Ashley Perkinson President-Elect

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 8, 2010) – Perkinson Law Firm announces that Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law, has been chosen to serve as president-elect of the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County. Perkinson is a longstanding member and actively supports the association´s local community projects. Most recently, she served as chair of the Wake County Phi Beta Kappa Writing Contest for high school students. 

"I am thrilled to serve as president-elect for the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County,” said Perkinson. “One of the highlights of my year is reading the wonderful essays submitted by Wake County high school students for our essay competition. The level of writing demonstrated by these students makes you realize what a bright future we have."

Perkinson represents various clients in North Carolina, providing lobbying and government relations, nonprofit consulting, media law, and education law. Perkinson Law Firm provides counsel for nonprofits on a broad array of issues such as formation, resource development and grant writing, tax-exemption, charitable solicitation, IRS compliance, bylaws and policies, board governance, employment and staffing, contract development and review, project consulting, lobbying and advocacy.

Her personal experience in the nonprofit and business sectors goes far beyond her client work and is exhibited through her extensive volunteer commitments and community leadership. Perkinson is secretary of the Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District Bar, and she is the legislative chair of the NC Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Council which focuses on First Amendment issues. Perkinson serves on the Extra Special Super Kids Steering Committee and the NC Symphony Corporate Advisory Council. She is also an active volunteer in the Junior League of Raleigh.

Perkinson has practiced as an attorney in North Carolina for nearly 10 years. Her legal experience includes work at Everett, Gaskins, Hancock & Stevens, LLP in Raleigh and Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP in Winston Salem. She received her juris doctorate from the School of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she also earned her bachelor of arts from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  

About Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most widely known academic honor society in the United States. The society has pursued its mission of fostering and recognizing excellence in the liberal arts and sciences since 1776. For information about Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County, visit www.wakecountyphibetakappa.org.

About Perkinson Law Firm:

Perkinson Law Firm, based in Raleigh, N.C., advocates for the advancement of nonprofits, businesses, community groups and individuals in the Triangle and surrounding areas.  Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law and principal of Perkinson Law Firm, works to meet the unique needs of each client by tailoring a diverse range of services in the areas of government relations, nonprofit consulting, media law and education law. For more information, visit www.perkinsonlawfirm.com

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Leadership Triangle Provides New Perspectives

Lately, I have been spending every other Thursday with participants in the 2010 Leadership Triangle sessions. It has been an amazing opportunity to meet leaders from across the Triangle. We each bring different perspectives and are learning to apply our skills as we evolve over the course of the program which matches individuals with nationally recognized leadership coaches and top local leaders.

I am particularly intrigued by the next session, “Enable Others to Act” which will be presented by Michelle Pearson who is a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Helping others take action is something I focus on in both my advocacy and nonprofit services, and I look forward to picking up some creative approaches and inspiration.

Free IRS Exempt Organization Updates Provide Helpful Tips

I have subscribed to this free service of the IRS for a while now and find the updates very helpful.

I attended the Philanthropy Journal's IRS workshop for nonprofits this week. It was an extremely informative event full of substantive and useful information for nonprofits. Lois Lerner, director of the Exempt Organizations Division of the IRS, talked to participants about the IRS's role in helping nonprofits navigate the rules and regulations that impact them. She encouraged those who work in the nonprofit arena to sign up for exempt organization updates.

Another good link for nonprofit organizations is the 2010 Draft of Form 990.

Attorney Ashley Perkinson Presents on Mental Health Advocacy

Perkinson Law Firm announces that Ashley Perkinson, attorney at law, was selected to present Advocate for Advocacy at the 13th Annual Conference of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of NC (LPCANC). The theme of the statewide sold-out event, which was held in Cary, NC, was Emerging Paradigms in Counseling: Practical Applications for a New Decade. Participants included mental health professionals, educators and students.

Ashley discussed effective advocacy, connecting with policymakers, and grassroots lobbying.  She also shared stories from her experiences as a lobbyist for LPCANC over the past several years.  Her presentation also included important policy issues facing Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC´s) and the importance of LPC representation at the General Assembly and executive agencies.  She also emphasized the importance of continued education to policymakers on who LPC's are, who they serve, and how LPC's can be more effectively utilized throughout North Carolina.

For more information about LPCANC, visit www.lpcanc.org.

Attorney Ashley Matlock Perkinson Launches Firm Focused on Advocacy and Nonprofit Law in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C.(Oct. 21, 2010) – Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law, announces the establishment of Perkinson Law Firm which will provide services in the areas of lobbying and government relations, nonprofit consulting, media law, and education law.

Perkinson Law Firm will provide counsel for nonprofits on a broad array of issues such as formation, resource development and grant writing, tax-exemption, charitable solicitation, IRS compliance, bylaws and policies, board governance, employment and staffing, contract development and review, project consulting, lobbying and advocacy.

Attorney Perkinson has a strong record of achievements in government relations. Her lobbying focus currently includes education, mental health, appropriations, and technology. As a lobbyist for the North Carolina Parent Teacher Association (NCPTA), she helped secure funding to establish, continue, and expand the NCPTA Parent Involvement Initiative. She has extensive experience lobbying on behalf of education funding.

As a graduate of the Education Policy Fellowship Program and longtime lobbyist and advocate on education issues, Perkinson´s practice focuses on complex educational law issues, including special needs and exceptional children's advocacy.

Her personal experience in the nonprofit and business sectors goes far beyond her client work and is exhibited through her extensive volunteer commitments and community leadership. Perkinson is actively involved with the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County and the Junior League of Raleigh. She is secretary of the Wake County Bar Association and 10th Judicial District Bar, and she is the legislative chair of the NC Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Council which focuses on First Amendment issues. Perkinson also serves on the Extra Special Super Kids Steering Committee and the NC Symphony Corporate Advisory Council.

“Working in the areas of nonprofit law and government relations gives me great satisfaction, especially when I can help clients advocate, solve problems, and achieve their goals," said Perkinson.

Perkinson has practiced as an attorney in North Carolina for nearly 10 years. Her legal experience includes work at Everett, Gaskins, Hancock & Stevens, LLP in Raleigh and Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP in Winston Salem. She received her juris doctorate from the School of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she also earned her bachelor of arts from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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Perkinson Law Firm, based in Raleigh, N.C., advocates for the advancement of nonprofits, businesses, community groups and individuals in the Triangle and surrounding areas.  Ashley Matlock Perkinson, attorney-at-law and principal of Perkinson Law Firm, works to meet the unique needs of each client by tailoring a diverse range of services in the areas of government relations, nonprofit consulting, media law and education law. For more information, visit www.perkinsonlawfirm.com.