Suzanne McDowell

Suzanne Ross McDowell focuses her practice on nonprofit organization matters with a particular emphasis on tax and corporate governance. In addition to representation of nonprofit organizations as a private practitioner, she served in the Office of Tax Policy, US Treasury Department, where she was responsible for all legislative and regulatory issues affecting exempt organizations. Later, she worked as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the National Geographic Society. She has represented colleges and universities, environmental and historical conservation organizations, healthcare organizations; medical research organizations; churches and religious organizations; as well as veterans and other membership groups. She also represents corporate and individual donors to charitable organizations. In her tax practice, Ms. McDowell assists clients with tax planning and represents clients before the IRS, courts, Congress and the Department of Treasury. Her practice covers the full spectrum of issues affecting exempt organizations, including complex organizational structures using taxable subsidiaries, limited liability companies, joint ventures, and other affiliated entities; unrelated business income tax; charitable giving and related recordkeeping, corporate sponsorships, lobbying and political activities; executive compensation; and private foundation rules. Additionally, she has worked with exempt organization clients on several tax legislative matters. In her corporate governance practice, Ms. McDowell advises nonprofit corporations on a broad array of governance matters including board and committee structures, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, potential director liabilities, and protection from liability. Additionally, she conducts confidential internal investigations on behalf of boards of directors. The George Washington University School of Law, J.D., with high honors, 1977 Smith College, B.A., American Studies, 1971, Scott Foundation Award for Leadership