Venable LLP maintains a client roster that encompasses public charities, private foundations, advocacy groups, and cultural associations, with a strong record of advising entities in the education, healthcare, and culture sectors. George E Constantine leads the team from Washington DC and has experience advising on issues of tax exemption, antitrust, governance, and political activity, among other matters. Other core team members include Janice Ryan, a ‘known expert in nonprofit operations’ based in DC, Lindsay Nathan in New York, whose focus is political law, and Robert L Waldman of Baltimore, who is particularly active on behalf of clients in the education sector. Yosef Ziffer, also of Baltimore, advises on complex reorganizations within the nonprofit space. Meredith McCoy, who is based in DC, plays a key role in the firm’s political law practice and made partner in January 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Venable LLP stands head and shoulders above their peers in the field. The team at Venable LLP has a firm grasp on the legal landscape, what organizations are doing in different sectors, and how to leverage that understanding to assist their clients in their endeavors. The team at Venable has been an amazing thought partner as we've embarked on work and has assisted us in making the work better.’

  • ‘What makes Lindsay Nathan different from other lawyers I've worked with is that she takes the time to understand what we are trying to do, comes back with many options and talks through each of them, and then continues to pressure test and see if it can be done better as the work continues.’

  • ‘Janice Ryan is a known expert in nonprofit operations. Janice and her teams help us think through our business case, identify all relevant risks, and then build our operations to manage and mitigate risk. ’

  • ‘The Venable team is very personable, and the practice feels personal; the lawyers take time to really understand the organization and the people they support. That yields high-quality service and helps ensure the advice is best tailored to the client's needs.’

  • ‘Yosef Ziffer is a standout partner. He works to understand the business and provide valued insights to support our operations. He is very knowledgeable regarding tax-exempt issues and works hard to provide timely support. ’

  • ‘Venable's team is exceptional. They respond to requests rapidly, listen extremely well, ask excellent questions, provide tailored advice and work product in a way that is timely, insightful, and respectful. Their expertise is top-notch, and they are willing to think creatively about mitigation measures.’

  • ‘Janice Ryan is the very best at what she does. We've worked with a number of firms across the country and we've learned to go to Janice with our thorniest problems. She is whip-smart, kind, accessible, and fully invested in our pursuit of excellence. Without exception, we've gotten excellent value from every project we've sent her way. ’

  • ‘Our team at Venable truly stands out. Janice Ryan has the steady calm you need in an advisor, and gives clear and thoughtful advice. She's always willing to make sure the entire team on our side understands not just the advice but the reasons for it, which has made all our work better.’

Key clients

  • Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
  • Associated Universities, Inc.
  • AVIXA-The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association
  • Circular Action Alliance
  • Entertainment Industry Foundation
  • Global Development Incubator, Inc.
  • Public Health Accreditation Board
  • Stand Up To Cancer
  • Wellspring Family Services
  • Youth for Tomorrow

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

George Constantine

Other key lawyers

Janice Ryan, Robert Waldman, Lindsay Nathan, Ronald M. Jacobs, Yosef Ziffer, Andrew Steinberg, Meredith McCoy