Non-profit organizations fill a crucial need in our society as they assist the under-served, or under-represented portion of our society, and provide valuable public services absent profit motivation. Cooney, Scully and Dowling has substantial experience in representing non-profit organizations in all aspects of their legal existence, as we represent more than 150 non-profit corporations in the state.

We have considerable experience in establishing non-profit organizations and obtaining their tax exempt status. We provide advice on concerns such as leases, contracts, loans, real estate purchases, and planned giving issues. We counsel on topics ranging from development of board policies and conflict of interest standards, to employment issues, to questions concerning unrelated business income. We provide workshops for organizations on boardsmanship, policy drafting, employment issues, and legally required sexual harassment training.

We represent non-profit organizations before state and local agencies, such as the Department of Public Health, Department of Children and Families, the Department of Mental Retardation, and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and zoning boards.

The large number of non-profit and ecclesiastical corporations we represent include the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Mercy, the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and the Vincentian Fathers. Our principal clients include social service agencies such as Catholic Charities, residential or elderly care facilities such as St. Francis Home For Children, Hillside Acres, and St. Mary Home; theater groups such as Masterwork Productions, Inc., non-profit professional associations, and many educational institutions including the University of Hartford, Lauralton Hall, and the Archdiocese of Hartford's elementary and secondary schools.