David A. Lawson
Counsel
David Lawson helps organizations and companies navigate the worlds of tax exemption, charitable programs, and philanthropy. His practice includes tax advice for tax-exempt organizations; corporate governance; compliance with solicitation and charitable trust rules; and business transactions involving nonprofits and nonprofit healthcare, with a special focus on emerging issues at the intersection of charity and technology. David has represented publicly traded companies involved in philanthropy; hospitals and medical research organizations; universities; arts organizations and museums, private foundations; and trade associations.
David has helped clients resolve several seemingly insurmountable governance and management issues, and successfully completed dozens of complex transactions ranging from spinoffs of multimillion-dollar programs and multiparty mergers to hospital joint ventures. He has successfully handled several major IRS examinations and state attorney general investigations, and has a decade of experience working collaboratively with federal and state regulators that supervise tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations. He enjoys finding innovative ways to allow his clients to accomplish their charitable, not-for-profit, and philanthropic goals.
Practice Highlights
Business transactions
Governance matters
Executive compensation
Admitted to Practice
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Washington, 2013
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District of Columbia, 2010
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New York, 2009
Education
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J.D., Harvard Law School, 2008
- Online Executive Editor, Journal of Law and Technology
- Predatory Lending Prevention/Consumer Protection Clinic
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M.Mus., Violin, University of Washington, 2004
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B.A., Violin, University of Washington, 1999, magna cum laude
- Dean's Medal, Arts
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Concertmaster, University Symphony
Languages
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French, German
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Tax Section, American Bar Association
- Nonprofit Corporations Subcommittee, Business Law Section, Washington State Bar Association
- Tax Section, Washington State Bar Association
- King County Bar Association
- Tax Section, District of Columbia Bar Association
- Member of the Board of Directors, Wayfind
Background
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- Associate, Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered, Washington, D.C., 2010-2012
- Associate, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Washington, D.C., 2008-2010