Mr. Altman has broad experience in the world of nonprofit organizations, including trade associations, foundations, professional societies and political organizations. His primary areas of skill include governance, insurance/risk management (including subpoenas and claims), lobbying/ethics/campaign finance compliance, tax, executive employment, contracts, non-dues revenue and affinity programs. In addition to providing business and legal counsel based on his extensive knowledge of the best practices of such organizations, he serves as director and officer to a number of nonprofit organizations.
Mr. Altman is a partner in the firm and received his undergraduate degree from Yale College and his law degree from the Tulane University School of Law, Order of the Coif. He is admitted in the District of Columbia.
Author: "Legal Liability Risk Management," ASAE Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management (4th edition, 2021)
Co-Author: "Legal Issues for Meetings: Lessons Learned and Planning Ahead" (April 5, 2021)
Co-Author: "DC Court of Appeals Affirms District Court Decision Requiring Expanded FEC Donor Disclosure for Independent Expenditures by Section 501(c) Organizations" (August 24, 2020)
Co-Author: "Good Counsel: 5 Lobbying Compliance Tips for 2019," Associations Now (February 2019)
Author: "Get Ready to Renew Your DC Tax Exemptions" (January 15, 2019)
Co-Author: "DC Federal District Court Voids FEC Independent Expenditure Reporting Rule - Expands Donor Disclosure" (August 17, 2018)
Co-Author: "Stand Up and Be Heard in an Election Year" (August 17, 2018)
Co-Author: "IRS Ignites Political Firestorm by Eliminating the Requirement for Most Nonprofit Organizations to Submit Confidential Donor Information to the IRS" (July 27, 2018)
Author: "Be Prepared for When Meetings Go Wrong," ASAE (April 2, 2018)
Author: "Managing and Insuring Your Biggest Risks," Association TRENDS (November 28, 2017)
Presenter: "Managing Meetings Gone Wrong – Keep Calm and Meeting On!" Marriott Association Masters Conference 2017 (June 1, 2017)
Co-Author: "The Age of Agile Advocacy for Associations," Associations Now (April 10, 2017)
Author: "On the Horizon in 2017: Are Political Spending Restrictions on Section 501(c)(3) Organizations Going Away?" (March 29, 2017)
Presenter: "It’s Fun Until Something Goes Wrong: Know your event liability," Webinar, Associated TRENDS (November 29, 2016)
Co-Author: "The 2016 Elections and Beyond - Last Minute Opportunities and Compliance Challenges Ahead" (October 26, 2016)
Co-Author: "Our CEO Wants to Host a Candidate Fundraiser: What Are the Risks?" (August 4, 2016)
Presenter: “Meetings Gone Wrong: Ripped From the Headlines," Marriott Masters Conference (June 3-4, 2016)
Author: "Form 990-Schedule B: Can states demand your confidential donor information - even if they do not need and cannot protect this information?" Association TRENDS (May-June 2016)
Presenter: “Mission Impossible -- Rogue Chapters,” ASAE Webinar (March 16, 2016)
Co-Author: "Top 5 Political Law Compliance Tips for 2016" (January 19, 2016)
Author: "Politically Active and Legally Compliant: An Election Year Primer for Independent Schools" (September 12, 2012)
Author: "Anonymous Donations Can Remain Secret Despite IRS's Requirement for Disclosure" (July 25, 2012)
What You Need To know About the FEC's Prior Approval Rule
Protecting Against Increased Antitrust Risks in a More Aggressive Enforcement and LItigation Environment
O-1 Visa Issues
State Mandated Retirement Plans
Attorney Spotlight-Mark Franco
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Unexpected Tax Consequences of Remote Workers
Association Community in the Age of COVID
Legal Issues for Meetings: Lessons Learned and Planning Ahead
Meet the Team - Dorothy Deng
Can Your Association Adopt a COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement?
"Ask Us Anything!" Series - Upcoming Programs
In an opinion released on August 3rd, US District Court Judge Beryl Howell greatly expanded the FEC donor disclosure reporting requirements for independent groups – like Section 501(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations – that sponsor independent expenditures and other candidate advocacy communications. The court delayed the implementation of its ruling for 45 days to give the FEC time to draft interim rules.
Nonprofit organizations are often overly cautious in speaking out about their causes and interacting with candidates in election years for fear of violating a complex set of laws and rules. You can and should participate in the election-year conversation. Here’s how.
On July 16, 2018, the IRS announced that it has eliminated the requirement for most nonprofit organizations to provide confidential donor information to the IRS on Schedule B to their annual IRS Form 990. Although limited in scope and with no impact on public transparency, the change has significant political ramifications and has ignited a firestorm of support and condemnation across the political spectrum. This includes a partisan Senate Finance Committee vote and delay in the Senate confirmation vote on the new IRS Commissioner.
Most people are surprised to learn that one of the biggest risks for claims against associations involve employment practices. These range from the initial hiring decision to the final termination of employment, and include everything in between. These risks need to be identified and managed. Insurance coverage also is needed to protect against possible claims.
Jeff Altman and James Kahl will present at the ASAE Government Relations Symposium discussing lobbying, PAC and government ethics compliance.
"Managing Meetings Gone Wrong – Keep Calm and Meeting On!" Marriott Association Masters Conference 2017.
A recent article in Associations Now features DC-based political Law partners Jim Kahl and Jeff Altman. “Whether you see an opportunity to advance your agenda or a need to defend members’ interests, it’s wise to reexamine your government relations strategy right now,” says Kahl. “What we know now is that a Republican majority means organizations need to be ready to respond to bills immediately,” says Altman. “With the new Congress, legislation will be passed very quickly.”
On January 13, WTP hosted a webinar on "Federal Lobbying & Ethics Rules in 2017: Is Your Organization Ready?"
Join WTP for craft cocktails and drinks, local flavors and casual fun!
RSVP to events@wtplaw.com
"Mission Impossible - Rogue Chapters"
Jeff Altman speaking.
Another election year is upon us, and once again federal and state candidates are on track to raise and spend unprecedented sums for their election efforts. That means corporations, trade associations, 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations, their political action committees (“PACs”), leaders, members and donors will be inundated with political contribution requests. They may also be asked to help candidates and political parties in other ways, such as hosting fundraisers or providing in-kind contributions of goods or services.
WTP partner, Jeff Altman, will be presenting at ASAE's Annual Association Law Symposium.
For more information or to register, click here.
This annual symposium on nonprofit law is targeted to association in-house counsel and their outside legal advisors, and will feature three sessions with WTP lawyers.
WTP is sponsoring the Reception and Session Presentation Manual after ASAE's annual law symposium for Association attorneys, CEOs and COOs.
ASAE's annual Summit Awards dinner celebrates the volunteer efforts of organizations that create positive change in the US and the world. Proceeds directly benefit the Power of A Fund, supporting ASAE's work.
Jeff Altman was quoted in an article in the BNA Daily Tax Report, July 25, 2012, on the rules governing when the names of donors to 501(c)(4) organizations must be disclosed:
"If a 501(c)(4) is talking to a potential donor about how to structure a contribution so it can be listed as anonymous or coming from another source, the organization probably already knows too much to avoid listing the donor," Jeffrey Altman, an attorney with Whiteford Taylor Preston in Washington, said July 24.
Jeffrey Altman will present on lobbying and ethics compliance as part of the 2012 ASAE Government Relations (GR) Symposium.
Whiteford Taylor & Preston announced today that Jeffrey P. Altman and Eric M. Altman have joined the firm’s Nonprofit Organizations and Associations group in the Washington, D.C., office.
Jeffrey Altman, who joins from McKenna Long & Aldridge, commented, “It is great to be able to join Whiteford's nonprofit organizations and associations group, which is really one of the preeminent practices anywhere. They are a great bunch of attorneys, with tons of nonprofit and association experience, and we look forward to being part of the team.”
