International law firm Withers has welcomed Alison Lonshein as a special counsel in its US Charities and Philanthropy team, based in New York. Alison joins the firm from The Frick Collection, where she acted as General Counsel and Assistant Secretary.
Alison has over twenty years’ experience of advising tax-exempt organizations on corporate, fundraising and finance, tax, governance and regulatory matters. She also works with philanthropists on tax and other issues related to charitable giving and establishing new entities.
Before her role at The Frick Collection, Alison previously worked in the tax-exempt organizations practice group of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. At Withers she will work alongside colleagues on the east and west coasts, as well as within Withers’ unique global practice, to advise nonprofits and philanthropists on the full range of US tax and operational matters. These include formation and restructuring, corporate governance, lobbying and advocacy, joint ventures and collaborations, program-related investments, fundraising in the US by foreign charities, and representation before the Attorney General and Internal Revenue Service.
NY-based Charities & Philanthropy partner Alana Petraske comments “Alison brings an exciting range of skills from her work as trusted adviser to diverse nonprofits and philanthropists, and of course as General Counsel. Her experience working directly with nonprofit boards and executive leadership to develop creative legal and practical solutions will be invaluable. I really look forward to welcoming her to our team and working with her to help Withers’ clients make a difference.”
Alison adds: “Withers has such a strong global profile for its work with nonprofits and philanthropic families. I’m excited to engage with a wide range of tax-exempt clients in the US and beyond, and to work with an international team which will provide real reach and a depth of experience.”
