Robert Erven Brown, Esq.

Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Real Estate, Corporate Restructuring

Working closely with more than 40 churches, para-church and other nonprofit organizations, Bob has extensive experience guiding nonprofit leaders through legal and risk issues related to real estate, campus development and construction, and entity planning. Bob’s unique Campus Preservation PlanningÓ program has been implemented by church and para-church ministries across the country. In addition to numerous civic and charitable activities, Bob previously served as a board member of Scottsdale Christian Academy, on the Christian Education Legacy Fund Board and on the board of the Arizona Private Education Scholarship Fund, Inc.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administrative Sciences from Yale University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming Law School. He served as a Senior Editor on the University of Wyoming Land & Water Law Review. In 1974 Bob began his practice with O’Connor, Cavanagh, et al, a large Phoenix, AZ law firm. He worked in the litigation section there for approximately five years and in the real property section for two years. Certified as a Specialist in Real Property Law since 1989, Bob is rated as an “A-V” lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.

To learn more about Bob’s Campus Preservation PlanningÓ program or to read his articles, click here.

HR, Risk Management, Pastoral Counseling

Adrienne is our HR instructor, as well as our employee handbook consultant. Working as the associate general counsel for an international denominational office, Adrienne spent over eight years providing legal services to churches and missions organizations around the world. As a result, she brings her experience and expertise to bear in nearly every legal and risk area affecting churches and religious nonprofits, including formation and tax-exempt issues, governance, pastoral counseling, youth protection, church litigation, insurance, and general risk management.

Adrienne has been practicing law in California since 1993 (www.annlaw.com), currently with a focus on providing counsel and training to nonprofit and religious organizations on formation and tax-exempt issues, governance, employment practices, and risk management strategies. She also has extensive civil litigation experience with expertise in claims handling and insurance issues.

Adrienne graduated from Tufts University (’90) and UCLA School of Law (’93). She and her husband lead their local congregation’s singles ministry. Adrienne also enjoys learning to golf with her daughters and occasionally appearing with them on a few TV sets as “an extra”.

Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Youth Protection

David has been providing legal counsel to church and para-church organizations since 2002. He began his career as a church business administrator where he served for nine years working with an association of churches throughout New England and Europe.

Helping church and para-church leaders with the broad scope of legal issues that arise from ministry, David has a particular passion for governance matters, entity formation, youth ministry and youth protection, and helping ministry leaders navigate the challenges of difficult pastoral counseling situations.

In 2003, David began development of the original RiskManager.net application, recognizing the need for effective, but affordable resources for nonprofit and church leaders. David’s vision was that church business administrators (and other nonprofit leaders) could implement effective policies and provide top-notch training to their staff and volunteers, without breaking the bank.

David is a graduate of Harvard College (B.A., 1990) and Northeastern University School of Law (J.D., 2002). Active in his local congregation’s ministry, David also loves working with his wife and partner Eva, homeschooling, and coaching soccer in New England.

Corporate Governance, Risk Management

Jenny is the Senior Counsel and Director of Special Projects at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center (www.nonprofitrisk.org). She is the type of person you want advising your senior management team, board or risk management committee.

Jenny spots the issues and works with you to find practical and feasible solutions based on more than 16 years’ experience delivering technical assistance to tax-exempt organizations on legal and board governance issues, and hands-on board experience as a trustee of numerous public charities and foundations. Her prior senior management roles – for a statewide nonprofit during its start-up years, for a community development corporation during a turn-around, and most recently working on public policy and best practices models at the national level – give her a broad perspective.

Originally educated as an employment lawyer, Jenny is the co-author, with Melanie Herman, of Taking the High Road: A Guide to Effective and Legal Employment Practices for Nonprofits. She also designs and presents workshops and Webinars on employment, governance and finance topics for the Center. She received her undergraduate degree in French and English with Distinction from Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) and her JD from Boston College (Newton, MA). Jenny’s a member of the New York, New Jersey and American Bar Associations.

Risk Management and Safety

Mike has been working with youth-serving organizations for over 25 years. He began his career in resident camping and held a variety of program and administrative positions before becoming a YMCA CEO in 1994. After a successful term as CEO, Mike joined the national YMCA staff as a safety & risk management consultant with YMCA Services Corporation in 2000; later becoming the Director of Risk Management providing strategic risk management direction for the organization and working closely with YMCAs throughout the country.

Mike currently serves as a manager and consultant for Safe-Wise Consulting (www.safe-wise.com) and is an associate staff member for the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. He holds the prestigious Associate of Risk Management certification.

Mike has been instrumental in developing the Rescue Ready Program, resident camp review programs, Safe-Pool networks, staff training programs, youth protection training and many nonprofit risk management publications. His timely and effective development of resources for the Safe-Wise library is an example of his understanding of the ever-changing needs of organizations.

Mike resides in Bar Harbor, Maine with his wife and son. He actively participates in the Rotary Club, YMCA, Congregational Church, Town Government, Little League, Boy Scouts and other local efforts.