Nixon Peabody LLP

  • People
  • Capabilities
  • Insights
  • About

Trending Topics

    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni

    Practices

    View All

    • Affordable Housing
    • Community Development Finance
    • Corporate & Finance
    • Cybersecurity & Privacy
    • Environmental
    • Franchising & Distribution
    • Government Investigations & White Collar Defense
    • Healthcare
    • Intellectual Property
    • International Services
    • Labor & Employment
    • Litigation
    • Private Wealth & Advisory
    • Project Finance
    • Public Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Regulatory & Government Relations

    Industries

    View All

    • Cannabis
    • Consumer
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • Infrastructure
    • Manufacturing
    • Non Profit
    • Real Estate
    • Technology

    Value-Added Services

    View All

    • Alternative Fee Arrangements

      Developing innovative pricing structures and alternative fee agreement models that deliver additional value for our clients.

    • Continuing Education

      Advancing professional knowledge and offering credits for attorneys, staff and other professionals.

    • Crisis Advisory

      Helping clients respond correctly when a crisis occurs.

    • DEI Strategic Services

      Providing our clients with legal, strategic, and practical advice to make transformational changes in their organizations.

    • eDiscovery

      Leveraging law and technology to deliver sound solutions.

    • Global Services

      Delivering seamless service through partnerships across the globe.

    • Innovation

      Leveraging leading-edge technology to guide change and create seamless, collaborative experiences for clients and attorneys.

    • IPED

      Industry-leading conferences focused on affordable housing, tax credits, and more.

    • Legal Project Management

      Providing actionable information to support strategic decision-making.

    • Legally Green

      Teaming with clients to advance sustainable projects, mitigate the effects of climate change, and protect our planet.

    • Nixon Peabody Trust Company

      Offering a range of investment management and fiduciary services.

    • NP Capital Connector

      Bringing together companies and investors for tomorrow’s new deals.

    • NP Second Opinion

      Offering fresh insights on cases that are delayed, over budget, or off-target from the desired resolution.

    • NP Trial

      Courtroom-ready lawyers who can resolve disputes early on clients’ terms or prevail at trial before a judge or jury.

    • Social Impact

      Creating positive impact in our communities through increasing equity, access, and opportunity.

    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Anita L. PelletierPeople
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Anita L. PelletierPeople

    Anita L. Pelletier

    Counsel


    • Rochester
    • Office+1 585.263.1164
    • apelletier@nixonpeabody.com

    I'm a 2023 Nixon Peabody Pro Bono Champion.Read more about our Pro Bono program

    • Download vCard
    • LinkedIn Profile

    Introduction

    Anita Pelletier serves as counsel in Nixon Peabody's Nonprofit practice group. She advises nonprofit organizations in matters relating to legal requirements and best practices in connection with governance and operational matters.

    Practice Areas

    HealthcareTaxMedical Staff Issues & Professional LicensureSupportive Housing

    Industries

    Nonprofit OrganizationsHigher EducationArts & Cultural InstitutionsHealthcareConsumer

    My focus

    I focus my practice on assisting nonprofit clients to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible.

    Nonprofit Corporate Governance and Board Disputes

    With the increased level of scrutiny and transparency requirements from the IRS, state charity regulators, and the public, it is more important than ever that nonprofit organizations ensure their governance and operations are legally compliant. I’ve helped organizations ranging from the very small to the very large update bylaws and policies to comply with legal requirements and best practices.

    Tax Compliance and Audits

    Both the IRS and many state charity regulators are using analytics to identify areas of potential noncompliance to start audits and investigations of nonprofit organizations. Many of these are targeted to specific areas, and it is important to have a plan in place to identify what the regulator is looking for and the best way to respond. I’ve worked with many organizations to guide them through these audits and investigations. Most recently, I assisted a nonprofit to respond to an IRS inquiry questioning whether the organization's activities were charitable and an organization to respond to noncompliance allegations by a state charity regulator in connection with the receipt of a charitable bequest.

    Reorganizations, Mergers, Dissolutions, and Sale of Assets

    The current climate for nonprofits is unprecedented. Efficient and effective operations are more important than ever. Many nonprofits are working to leverage current assets and seek strategic alliances to ensure continued operations to assist the most vulnerable in society. I’ve worked with many nonprofits to successfully sell assets and navigate mergers and dissolutions, including working through state charity-approval processes, which have become subject to increased scrutiny. Most recently, my work in this area included assisting nonprofit housing organizations sell or refinance housing projects and advising on the merger and sale of assets by health care and nursing home nonprofit organizations.

    Charitable Solicitations and Sales Promotions

    I’ve assisted numerous charities navigate the various rules regarding charitable solicitations in a market that necessitates the use of social media and electronic communications.

    I’ve also represented businesses using promotions to develop brand recognition and sales. Last year, we helped a business develop best practices for operating a national sweepstakes and contests.

    Looking ahead

    I’ve been following the demands for increased scrutiny of nonprofit organizations relating to transparency and public accountability. We’re developing strategies for organizations to put their houses in order before the regulators come knocking.

    Insights

    • “IRS Guidelines for Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations,” Webinar, October 19, 2023
    • “Forming Not-for-Profit Corporations,” Lorman Education Services, Webinar, January 31, 2023
    • “Applying for 501(c)(3) Status: The Basics,” Federal Bar Association, Webinar, June 10, 2022
    • “Non-Profits Law 101: Governance, board functions, compliance, and employment issues within charities,” Federal Bar Association, Webinar, July 2021
    • “Converting a For-Profit to a Nonprofit: Eligibility Tax Considerations IRS Reporting Requirements and More,” NBI Teleconference, November 2019
    • “IRS Guidelines for Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations,” Lorman Education Services, Webinar, August 2019
    • “IRS Guidelines for Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations,” Lorman Education Services, Webinar, February 2019
    • “Obtaining and Sustaining a Tax-Exempt Status,” Webinar, Lorman Education Services, December 2018
    • “Tax Exemption Issues Faced by Orchard Health,” Health Law Journal, New York State Bar Association, Vol. 9, No. 3, Summer/Fall 2004

    In the news

    • The Daily Record

      2019 Excellence in Law Award winners

      Several colleagues in Nixon Peabody’s Rochester office were recognized by the Daily Record as part of this year’s Excellence in Law Awards. Corporate counsel Anita Pelletier was named one of the Top Women in Law. Project Finance and Public Finance associate Jessica Paulin and Corporate associate Kat Murphy were chosen as Up and Coming Attorneys. Records coordinator Nancy Lopez was honored as an Unsung Legal Hero.
      April 19, 2019
    • Rochester Business Journal

      How nation’s new tax law might affect charitable organizations

      Rochester private equity and investment funds partner Jeremy Wolk, M&A and corporate transactions counsel Anita Pelletier and Washington DC M&A and corporate transactions partner Mike Cooney authored this column about the impact of U.S. tax reform on nonprofits.
      Dec 15, 2017
    • Rochester Business Journal

      New state measure amends Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013

      Rochester private equity and investment funds partner Jeremy Wolk, Washington DC nonprofit organizations partner Michael Cooney and Rochester nonprofit organizations counsel Anita Pelletier co-authored this column about updates to the Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013 and what New York nonprofits will need to do in order to comply.
      Feb 10, 2017
    • New York Law Journal

      Attorneys Applaud Overhaul of Nonprofit Law for Cutting Red Tape

      Partner and leader of the firm’s Nonprofit Organizations practice Mike Cooney, Rochester counsel Anita Pelletier, and Rochester partner and president of the New York State Bar Association Dave Schraver discuss the New York State Nonprofit Revitalization Act signed into law by Governor Cuomo.
      Dec 20, 2013

    Admitted to practice

    Massachusetts
    New York

    Education

    Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude
    Maxwell School of Public Administration, M.P.A.
    St. John Fisher College, B.A., Economics

    Professional activities

    • National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
    • YWCA of Rochester, past Board of Directors member
    • Greater Rochester Association of Women Attorneys
      • Former board member
      • Former chair, Media Committee
      • Former co-chair, Program Committee
    • American, New York State, and Monroe County bar associations.

    Recognition

    • Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 in the field of Nonprofit/Charities Law
      • Listed in Best Lawyers since 2017
    • William E. McKnight Award, Monroe County Bar Association (2003)
    • Legal Aid Society of New York City Pro Bono Award (2005)
    • Nixon Peabody’s Rodman Peabody Pro Bono Award (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011)

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Event

      IRS Guidelines for Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations

      Oct 19, 2023
    • Alert

      Nonprofit compliance strategies in the current regulatory environment

      Jan 5, 2023
    • Alert

      Review of the SBA's interim final rule implementing the Paycheck Protection Program

      April 6, 2020
    View All

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Peter Armstrong Egan

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Healthcare
      • Long Island
      • Office:516.832.7633
      • pegan@nixonpeabody.com
      Peter Armstrong Egan
    • Jill H. Gordon

      Partner / Co-chair, Life Sciences Practice
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:213.629.6175
      • jgordon@nixonpeabody.com
      Jill H. Gordon
    • Michele A. Masucci

      Partner
      • Long Island
      • Office:516.832.7573
      • mmasucci@nixonpeabody.com
      Michele A. Masucci
    • Jéna M. Grady

      Counsel
      • New York
      • Office:212.940.3114
      • jgrady@nixonpeabody.com
      Jéna M. Grady
    • Harsh P. Parikh

      Partner
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:213.629.6108
      • hparikh@nixonpeabody.com
      Harsh P. Parikh
    View All

    Subscribe to stay informed of the latest legal news, alerts, and business trends.Subscribe

    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni
    • © 2023 Nixon Peabody. All rights reserved
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Statement of Client Rights
    • Supplier Diversity Program
    • Nixon Peabody International LLC
    • PAL