Sam Coppersmith Educates Social Venture Partners Arizona About Advocacy for Foundations, Public Charities

Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ), a network of local philanthropists who take a venture capital approach to funding nonprofits, recently hosted Sam Coppersmith to share his expertise on philanthropy and public policy. He explained why it’s critical for charitable organizations to educate lawmakers and the public about policies that impact their missions and the communities they serve – and what they need to keep in mind from a legal standpoint. With more than three decades’ experience working with nonprofit organizations, Sam’s presentation demystified the legal framework governing permissible advocacy activities for foundations and public charities, and helped SVPAZ members understand how to advocate for critical issues and become champions in their communities....

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Kent Brockelman Talks Office Politics with Az Business Magazine

As a contentious election nears, political debates in the workplace are undoubtedly increasing – and they could be troublesome for employers. Kent Brockelman shed light on this issue from a legal standpoint, educating Az Business magazine readers about the potential fallout that could lead to legal claims. He also offers supervisors advice on tempering situations that could become volatile. Read the full article....

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Andy Gaona, Ninth Circuit Pro Bono Program Help Client Pursue Long-Awaited Asylum, Keep Family Together

He couldn’t drive a car or vote, but at 14 years old, Andy Gaona’s client carried the burden of completing asylum paperwork. Fast-forward 15 years, after lost paperwork and incorrect forms, the client learned that he was subject to removal not only from the United States, but from his family of four children who depend on him. Andy, a member of the Ninth Circuit’s pro bono program, passionately took on the case to right what was clearly a wrong. Born in El Salvador during the country’s brutal civil war, Andy’s client was brought to the U.S. to reunite with his mother, who had fled several years earlier and was granted asylum in 1990. Entitled to “derivative” asylum through his mother, the then 14-year-old boy completed his own...

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John DeWulf Discusses Leadership, Problem Solving in September’s In Business Magazine

In the Sept. 2016 issue of In Business Magazine, John DeWulf shares his perspective on the power of leadership in addressing urgent needs. John, a graduate of Valley Leadership, is a long-time advocate of the arts, urban renewal and education for at-risk youth. John has harnessed the skills learned in Valley Leadership and honed over the course of his career to make a difference in business and in the community. Read more about the importance of leadership, connectedness and problem solving here....

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Jim Belanger Receives Rare Recognition from The Best Lawyers in America©

Coppersmith Brockelman’s Jim Belanger is a true renaissance attorney. He was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© as a 2017 “Best Lawyer®” in six practice area categories, an honor only a handful of attorneys in Arizona hold. In fact, being recognized in more than three categories is an extraordinary accomplishment given the Valley’s competitive legal industry. Specifically, he earned recognition in the areas of commercial litigation; criminal defense: white-collar; criminal defense: general practice; ethics and professional responsibility law; litigation: regulatory enforcement (SEC, telecom, energy); and qui tam law. To add to the accolades, The Best Lawyers in America has also named him as “Lawyer of the Year®” in criminal defense, in the general practice subset. The group designates only one attorney per legal practice area...

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Jill Chasson Educates Arizona Republic Readers About Exempt Workers Clocking In and Out

Employment law can be complex and confusing. That’s one of the reasons The Arizona Republic regularly taps Coppersmith Brockelman’s Jill Chasson for guidance on common questions. Most recently, Jill was asked a question about whether exempt workers can legally be required to clock in and out. She shed light on the difference between exempt and non-exempt positions, and addressed some of the revised federal overtime regulations that will go into effect on Dec. 1. Click here to read the full column....

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