Jean L. Tom

As a trusted advisor to philanthropists and mission-driven organizations, Jean Tom recognizes that the success of social change efforts often depends on sound legal counsel. Nonprofits are regulated by a complex array of corporate, tax, and other regulatory regimes at the international, federal, state, and local levels. Jean provides practical advice that helps clients navigate these legal thickets so they can focus on mission and achieving social impact. Nonprofits are also increasingly partnering with for-profit organizations and investors in novel ways as they seek new revenue streams and innovative means of achieving their goals. Such opportunities require careful counseling to ensure regulatory and tax compliance. Jean has the perspective and experience to guide clients through the legal complexities so they can capitalize on these new opportunities.

Jean's clients are a diverse mix of philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, public charities (advocacy organizations, universities, museums, social service organizations), private foundations (family foundations, community foundations and corporate foundations), social welfare organizations, and trade associations. Her clients focus on fields ranging from education to social, racial, and economic justice; health, scientific research and innovation; arts and culture; environmental conservation, religion, and animal welfare. Among Jean’s clients are NoVo Foundation, the ASPCA, Sierra Club, The Conference Board, KQED and the University of California, as well as a number of West Coast hospital systems.

Jean counsels her clients on all aspects of a nonprofit organization's life cycle, from entity choice and formation through dissolution, and on complex organizational structuring and transactions (forming subsidiaries, establishing relationships with affiliates, structuring joint ventures, and exploring and carrying out mergers and acquisitions). She also advises clients on grantmaking, corporate governance (bylaws, board fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest), executive compensation, corporate sponsorships and commercial co-ventures, political intervention and lobbying, and program-and mission-related investments. Jean also enjoys serving as general counsel to her clients, tackling issues as they arise and connecting clients with capable colleagues in other parts of the firm to assist with issues spanning employment, intellectual property, technology, privacy, immigration, and real estate.

A frequent speaker on matters pertaining to nonprofits, Jean has also represented organizations in connection with attorney general investigations and before the California Franchise Tax Board and the Internal Revenue Service.