Lead Stories

Nonprofit May Recover Goodwill Lost in Condemnation Proceeding

California Court says recovery may be measured by lost revenue following relocation of program

An appellate court in California has reversed a trial court decision denying recovery of goodwill lost by a performing arts nonprofit following condemnation of its building for a highway project.  The Court has said that once a loss of goodwill has been shown, its quantification may be measured by a variety of methods.

Another Charity Wins Injunction Against Requirement for Schedule B

Court rules that California’s demand for names of donors, as applied, violates group’s Constitutional rights

A second charity dealing with controversial issues has won a permanent injunction against enforcement of California’s demand that an unredacted Schedule B has to be filed with the state in order to register for charitable solicitation in the state.  The Thomas More Law Center has won the injunction against Secretary of State Kamala Harris on the ground that enforcement of the demand for the list of major contributors would violate the center’s Constitutional rights.

Bank May Attach Income From CRUT

State law disregards spendthrift protection in trust created by beneficiary

A bank holding a judgment against the income beneficiary of a charitable remainder unitrust may attach and collect the income from the beneficiary despite a “spendthrift” provision in the trust preventing a creditor from attaching the income, an appellate court in Arizona has held.  Interpreting the Washington state law that all parties agreed was applicable to the trust, it has held that state law specifically provides that a spendthrift provision does not apply to a trust created by the beneficiary.

Director May Seek Judicial Dissolution Even After Removal From Nonprofit Board

Court says board can’t take action to deny standing and render the law suit moot

The director of a nonprofit corporation seeking a judicial dissolution of the corporation has standing to continue the case even after being removed from the board after filing the complaint, according to the Court of Appeals of Arizona.  It has reversed a trial court decision dismissing the case on summary judgment and ordering the plaintiff to pay attorneys fees to the organization.  (Workman v. Verde Wellness Center, Ct. of App., AZ, No.

Board Can’t Bar Director For Breach of Confidentiality

Court says ban from executive sessions would prevent her from performing duties

The board of directors of a nonprofit homeowners’ association may not bar a fellow director from attending executive sessions of the board because she violated confidentiality requests.  An appellate court in Arizona has reversed a trial court decision denying the excluded director’s application for a preliminary injunction to overturn the ban.  (McNally v. Sun Lakes Homeowners Association, Ct. of App., AZ, No. 1 CA-CV-15-0744, 10/13/16.)