Trade associations have unique business and legal needs. They involve joint efforts by competitors, they are generally tax exempt entities, they sometimes reflect disparate needs in the same industry, they are involved in political contributions, they lobby the government, they create standards and foster the development of technology, they educate and train, and they hold meetings and conventions around the world. At the same time, they are like many other businesses with employees, real estate, technology, business arrangements and lawsuits - in the U.S. and abroad.

We have advised trade associations and business coalitions on the full range of legal issues that arise across their activities. Because of our experience, we know the business and political context in which they operate and the special rules that apply to their activities.

The areas in which we have advised trade associations and other business coalitions include:

• Creating and structuring alliances, subsidiaries and for-profit ventures, affiliates and mergers and spin-offs
• Handling tax exemption issues and the special rules under which non-profit entities operate, including unrelated business income
• Advising on human relations and personnel issues, including the hiring and firing of employees, personnel handbooks and policies, confidentiality requirements and implementation of various legal and regulatory requirements
• Structuring benefit programs and the special rules applicable to non-profit entities
• Creating, protecting and licensing of technology, including web sites, e-commerce and publications, and the issues related to ownership, access, links and content
• Setting standards, sharing information, conducting meetings, establishing joint activities and identifying related intellectual property and antitrust issues
• Advising on public policy matters, including issues related to lobbying and governmental rule making and related litigation
• Contracting with government entities and getting grants
• Advising on election law and the special issues related to the solicitation of members and their employees and fund raising events
• Counseling on other corporate, real estate and litigation matters relating to operations and holding of meetings, trade shows and events