158: Is Your Ringer On? | How Nonprofits Can Find and Hire a Good Lawyer

158: Is Your Ringer On? | How Nonprofits Can Find and Hire a Good Lawyer

Author: Jess Birken, MNM, JD February 19, 2026 Duration: 23:54

Finding a lawyer should not feel harder than solving the legal problem itself. And yet, here we are.

In this episode, Meghan and I talk about something that comes up constantly in my nonprofit law practice: how nonprofit leaders and boards actually find a good lawyer and how to tell whether someone is the right fit.

Real Listener Question:

"I am a board member tasked with finding my small nonprofit a lawyer. I am trying to collect five options for the board to review and have the board interview each lawyer. I've prepared an RFP to get information from as many firms as possible. Is there anything else I'm supposed to do to make sure we did a fair search?"

We dig into why hiring a lawyer is not the same as hiring other vendors and why an RFP is often the wrong tool for the job. We talk about common misconceptions nonprofits have about fairness, pricing, and process, and why trying to copy large institutions can backfire for smaller organizations. This conversation also pulls back the curtain on how lawyers actually work, what red flags to watch for, and how to avoid overcomplicating a decision that already feels overwhelming.

What You'll Learn:

  • How nonprofits typically find lawyers
  • Why RFPs usually do not work for legal services
  • What legal expertise actually looks like
  • How pricing structures should be discussed
  • Warning signs early in the relationship
  • Why "cheapest" is not always best
  • How to trust your gut while doing due diligence

Bottom line: Hiring a lawyer does not require a perfect process. It requires clarity, trust, and a focus on finding someone who understands your nonprofit and can actually help you.

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Ever find yourself wishing for a direct line to seasoned nonprofit leaders, a chance to unpack the real challenges that don’t make it into the glossy annual reports? Charity Therapy is that conversation. With host Jess Birken, who brings her background as a lawyer and a Master of Nonprofit Management to the table, each session feels like pulling up a chair with a trusted advisor. The discussions move beyond theory, tackling the granular details of operations that leaders actually face-whether it’s navigating a tricky IRS compliance question, rebuilding a fundraising strategy from the ground up, or managing the complex interpersonal dynamics that define any mission-driven team. This podcast digs into the operational heart of the sector, offering pragmatic insights you can apply directly to your own work. It’s a resource built on the understanding that running a nonprofit is a continuous practice of problem-solving, and Jess guides these explorations with clarity and a deep respect for the work. Tune in for honest dialogue that treats the daily grind of management as the serious and nuanced craft that it is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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