Practice Expertise

  • Tax-Exempt Organizations
  • Privacy and Data Security
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Areas of Practice

  • Privacy and Data Security
  • Tax-Exempt Organizations
  • Family Offices
  •  

WSG Practice Industries

WSG Leadership

  • ESG - Environmental, Social & Governance Group - Member
  • Private Client Group - Member

Profile

Susan Vignola practices in the firm’s Tax-Exempt Organizations department, where she represents a wide range of charitable and nonprofit institutions, including private foundations and public charities, donor-advised fund sponsoring organizations, social justice and advocacy organizations, international grantmaking institutions, schools and universities, and arts and cultural institutions, as well as their affiliated organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Ms. Vignola also counsels individual, family, and corporate donors on philanthropic planning and engagement with tax-exempt organizations. She regularly advises clients in governance, regulatory and compliance matters, donor-advised funds, cross-border philanthropy, management and expenditure of endowments, and related corporate, tax, and regulatory matters. Ms. Vignola also helps tax-exempt organizations manage institutional collaborations and has extensive expertise advising clients on 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) affiliations and helping clients navigate the rules relating to lobbying and political activity.  Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ms. Vignola spent over a decade working for nonprofit institutions in the U.S. and overseas. She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law, M.A. from the George Washington University, and B.A. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. 

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Education

  • New York University School of Law (J.D.)
    • Root-Tilden-Kern D'Agostino Scholar
    • Robert McKay Scholar
    • Notes Editor, Journal of Legislation and Public Policy
  • George Washington University (M.A.)
    • J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Scholar
  • University of North Carolina (B.A.)
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Areas of Practice

  • Privacy and Data Security
  • Tax-Exempt Organizations
  • Family Offices

Professional Career


Professional Activities and Experience

MEMBERSHIPS: Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Committee on Nonprofit Organizations, 2015-2018); New York Bar Association; American Bar Association



SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Not-for-Profit Governance Trends in a Post-Pandemic World, Grant Thornton's Not-for-Profit Executive Briefing Series (February 2024); MASTER CLASS: Navigating Intellectual Property Issues for Nonprofits, UT CLE's Nonprofit Organizations Institute (February 2024); Endowments and Restricted Funds: Managing UPMIFA in Unpredictable Times, Annual Exempt Organizations Update Meeting, TEGE Exempt Organizations Council (November 2023); 40th Annual Nonprofit Organizations Institute (January 2023); Legal Considerations in Starting a Nonprofit, Nonprofit Formation Fundamentals Series, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Candid and Support Center (April 2019); Primer on Charitable Giving, Georgetown Law Continuing Legal Education, Representing and Managing Tax-Exempt Organizations (April 2016).




Articles

  • "Economic and Other Benefits Associated with the Provision of Civil Legal Aid," Seattle Journal for Social Justice (Fall/Winter 2010)

Blogs

Antitrust Update

Antitrust Update Blog is a source of insights, information and analysis on criminal and civil antitrust and competition-related issues. Patterson Belknap’s antitrust lawyers represent clients in antitrust litigation and counseling matters, including those related to pricing, marketing, distribution, franchising, and joint ventures and other strategic alliances. We have significant experience with government civil and criminal/cartel investigations, providing the unique perspectives of former...

Data Security Law Blog

DataSecurityLaw.com is the firm’s resource for the latest news, analysis, and thought leadership in the critical area of privacy and cybersecurity law. Patterson Belknap’s Privacy and Data Security practice provides public and private enterprises, their leadership teams and boards with comprehensive services in this critical area. Our team of experienced litigators, corporate advisors and former federal and state prosecutors advises on a broad range of privacy and data protection matters includi

Data Security Law Blog

DataSecurityLaw.com is the firm’s resource for the latest news, analysis, and thought leadership in the critical area of privacy and cybersecurity law. Patterson Belknap’s Privacy and Data Security practice provides public and private enterprises, their leadership teams and boards with comprehensive services in this critical area. Our team of experienced litigators, corporate advisors and former federal and state prosecutors advises on a broad range of privacy and data protection matters...

Misbranded

Misbranded is Patterson Belknap’s blog covering false advertising litigation—both consumer class actions and competitor suits—with a particular focus on FDA-regulated products (foods/beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements).

NY Patent Decisions Blog

NYPatentDecisionsBlog.com is a source for the latest patent decisions from the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. The blog is authored by Patterson Belknap’s Patent Litigation practice group, whose members are highly experienced trial attorneys with extensive technical knowledge. Many have advanced scientific degrees and industry experience in fields such as communications, electrical and electro-optical technology, semiconductor technology, metallurgical...

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