Andrew L. Steinberg

Counsel
Steinberg Andrew

Andrew Steinberg advises nonprofit organizations on their legal matters and sensitive business affairs. Senior management and boards of charities, foundations, trade and professional associations, museums, cultural and religious institutions, and other tax-exempt organizations frequently rely on Andrew as their outside general counsel, and as a go-to resource for discrete projects arising from their operations. His experience providing real-world, actionable advice extends to virtually every type of legal issue and best practice relevant to domestic and multinational nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

Clients benefit from having an adept and accessible advisor who can quickly understand and manage the full array of their legal and business affairs. Andrew assists clients with:

  • Formation and organizational restructuring 
  • Governance issues and reviews of bylaws and corporate policies 
  • Contract drafting and negotiation
  • Federal and state tax exemption applications and tax-exempt status compliance 
  • Unrelated business income tax 
  • Managing conflicts of interest
  • Executive compensation review and approval
  • Form 990 disclosures
  • Affiliate, subsidiary, related foundations, and chapter relationships
  • Charitable giving and fundraising
  • International and domestic grant making
  • Sponsorships, advertising, and promotions 
  • Mergers and acquisitions, asset transfers, and dissolutions
  • Joint ventures and similar collaborations with for-profit organizations
  • Government investigations 
  • Antitrust compliance and training
  • Intellectual property (trademark and copyright) 
  • Insurance coverage 
  • Volunteer relationships 
  • Responses to member demands
  • International operations

In situations that require experience in other substantive areas – including privacy and data security, real estate, employment, technology services transactions, international trade and customs, and litigation – Andrew is accustomed to drawing on the knowledge of colleagues in the firm’s leading core practice groups who are familiar with the special needs of nonprofit organizations. Abroad, Andrew engages a curated network of top foreign lawyers to provide guidance on overseas legal requirements that apply to nonprofits. Together, they give seamless and comprehensive legal support that enables clients to fulfill their missions.

Experience

Representative Matters

Recent representations, selected from among confidential and many other significant matters, include: 

  • Assisted a high-profile entertainment industry nonprofit to overhaul governance structures, adopt an enforceable membership code of ethics program, and navigate member discipline crises and reputational concerns in connection with the #MeToo movement 
  • Served as lead associate guiding a U.S. educational nonprofit through a complex governance redesign and multinational reorganization of overseas offices 
  • Advised one of the largest international development organizations in a mission-related joint venture with a for-profit entity involving micro-financing and access to financial services for the underserved  
  • Serving as general counsel to small and large charities, professional societies, and a variety of industry trade groups on their day-to-day operations  
  • Defended a professional charity fundraiser in connection with a state attorney general investigation and then a lawsuit regarding solicitation practices, including deposing parties and coordinating discovery collection, review, and production  
 

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. magna cum laude William & Mary School of Law 2014
  • Order of the Coif

    Articles Editor, William & Mary Law Review

    Chief Justice of the Honor Council

    Appellate & Supreme Court Litigation Clinic

    Moot Court Competition Team

  • B.A. Government & Politics, Criminology & Criminal Justice University of Maryland 2011

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Mentor, William & Mary Law School Co-Counsel Program
  • Firm coordinator, Generous Associates Campaign of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee 
  • Member, The American Bar Association’s Nonprofit Organizations Committee
    • Chair, Current Developments Subcommittee

Recognition
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  • National Law JournalRising Star, 2021
  • Venable LLP, Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, 2021
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2025
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Washington, DC, 2020 – 2023
  • Legal 500, Tax - Not-for-Profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities), 2024

Community
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Pro Bono

  • Represents Sixth & I Synagogue and DC Central Kitchen