Practice

David Samuels has been practicing law for more than forty years. From 1987 through 1995, he served as Deputy Chief of the New York Attorney General's Charities Bureau. He is a recognized expert on a wide range of issues involving charitable organizations, including compensation, governance, fiduciary duty, self-dealing and conflict of interest, prudent investments, and endowments and restricted funds. He represents targets of investigations and inquiries from government agencies (including the New York Attorney General). He frequently deals with the Attorney General on regulatory matters, including sales, mergers, dissolutions, and cy pres applications.

David has extensive experience representing numerous public charities and private foundations, including social service agencies, grant-making foundations, mental health facilities, educational organizations, and religious institutions. He is an experienced civil and appellate litigator and employment lawyer.

Representative Work

• Represented the governing body of an international religious order in ousting board members and officers of a Brooklyn based house of worship and installing a proper replacement board.
• Successfully obtained a court order modifying restrictions on the use of the facilities and concert hall of a major New York City cultural institution.
• Counselled a number of nonprofit organizations in properly addressing various financial, governance, and employment issues during the pandemic.

Professional & Nonprofit Affiliations

New York City Bar Association, Nonprofit Organizations Committee, member and former Chair

New York Law School, Adjunct Professor

Education

Harvard Law School, J.D.

New York University, School of Law LL.M

Harvard College, A.B.

Bar Admissions

New York

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District and the Southern District