Lighting the path
to a better future.
It’s your mission, and we’re here to help you through every stage.
From startup to sunset, and everything in between, we serve as legal partners to those who lead with purpose.
Delivering nonprofit and mission-driven legal guidance in DC, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts
Formation, governance, employment, and education—we do it, and we make it affordable for nonprofits of all sizes.
From Our Clients
“We highly recommend Commonlight Legal. Lauren Koster steered us through the legal fundamentals of developing a grants program while at the same time honoring our very specific mission, strategy and audience. Attentive, patient, and efficient, we know we will continue to be in good hands as we grow our organization. Commonlight provides excellent value for their services.”
Tom Chase, Executive Director“Commonlight Legal has been amazing! They have provided critical support, insight, and knowledge around complicated legal partnerships that have never existed before.”
Nick Stellitano, Co-Founder and Managing Director
“Commonlight Legal has been a foundational support for our non-profit. Our organization's most recent matters were completed thoroughly, under budget, and ahead of schedule. We look forward to working with them for our future needs!”
Austin Sa, Founder and Executive Director, Boston Arts Club
Our Legal Services
Charter and Independent Schools
Systemic advocacy and individualized services
Employment and Volunteer Issues
Contracts, policies, handbooks, and more
Entity Formation, Governance, and Compliance
Everything you need to start strong and thrive
Outside General Counsel
Comprehensive and cost-effective advice and counseling on a wide range of matters
Pro Bono
Supporting communities and causes we care about
Frequently Asked Questions
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Commonlight Legal advises nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, including public charities, social welfare organizations, foundations, and charter and independent schools, from formation through ongoing compliance and governance.
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Yes. We assist organizations seeking recognition under Section 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt classifications, including guidance on eligibility, application strategy, and ongoing compliance obligations.
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We advise nonprofit organizations operating in DC, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut, including organizations with multi-state activities.
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Nonprofits benefit from legal counsel at formation, when applying for tax-exempt status, when establishing governance structures, when hiring staff, and when navigating compliance or risk management issues.
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Yes. We work with early-stage nonprofit founders as well as established organizations seeking ongoing legal support, governance guidance, or outside general counsel services.
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We support mission-driven work through pro bono and reduced-fee engagements where appropriate, consistent with our firm’s capacity and impact goals. We commit to providing 10% of our resources toward pro bono work.
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You can schedule a consultation through our website to discuss your organization’s legal needs and determine next steps to determine how we can best support your work.