Join us on July 31 for a panel discussion outlining how attorneys can serve nonprofit organizations. Produced by the Tennessee Bar Association and West Tennessee Legal Services, this program is the first in a three-part series to equip attorneys with the skills and confidence to create, strengthen, and support the work of nonprofit organizations.

Presenters will first provide an overview of nonprofit law, including the formation, governance, and tax implications associated with operating a nonprofit organization. Next, a panel of nonprofit experts will discuss their experiences and recommendations for creating a nonprofit. 

Registration for this webcast is FREE. However, 1.50 hours of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee.

Presenter Bios

RITA GIBSON RAYFORD is a founder of Strategic Legal Advocates PLLC and has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of nonprofit management, fundraising/development, compliance, and higher education. She has served as a Chief Development Officer, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, a Managing Attorney, and a member of senior executive leadership teams. During her career, she has had the opportunity to teach in the areas of administrative law, public administration, nonprofit administration, and family law. She has dedicated a significant portion of her career to advocating for veterans and access to justice initiatives. She obtained her law degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, and holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration. Ms. Gibson Rayford is a graduate of the Tennessee Bar Association's (TBA) Leadership Law Class of 2016 and serves on the  Executive Council of the TBA's Administrative Law Section.

SETH OGDEN is a Registered Patent Attorney focused on patent infringement litigation and patent prosecution in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, industrial chemicals, software and electronic devices.  He has represented patent litigation clients in both ANDA and traditional patent infringement cases.  Dr. Ogden has also provided noninfringement and invalidity opinions and strategic positioning reports in the areas of biotechnology (diagnostics and biologics), pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and material science. In addition to patent matters, he has handled a range of trademark and copyright issues. Dr. Ogden previously practiced in Washington, D.C. Before that, he obtained his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Ogden has also represented pro bono clients before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the D.C. Superior Court.

HAROLDA BRYSON received her B.A. in Communication Studies from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law since 2017. Her areas of practice are municipal law, contracts and transactional matters, tax law, real property, and civil litigation.

JERRY TAYLOR is a partner with Thompson Burton,  PLLC  with offices in Nashville and Franklin. His practice focuses on regulatory compliance for health care providers. He is an adjunct professor in business law at M.T.S.U. and is the immediate past Chair of the Executive Council of the TBA Administrative Law Section. Jerry has served on the board of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations, most recently the Tennessee Justice Center and the Nashville Health Care Council.