Legal Audits and Risk Assessments for Atlanta Nonprofits

Proactive Legal Review to Strengthen Compliance and Reduce Exposure

Nonprofits operate under constant scrutiny. Regulatory agencies, donors, grant-makers and the public expect transparency, accuracy and legal compliance at all times. When documentation, policies or governance practices fall out of alignment with actual operations, the consequences can be serious.



The Law Office of Cameron Hawkins provides structured legal audits to help nonprofit leadership identify and address vulnerabilities before they evolve into regulatory investigations, employment claims, donor disputes or reputational harm.

The Problems Legal Audits Are Designed to Solve

• Outdated bylaws that no longer reflect how the board actually functions
• Executive leadership transitions without updated governance safeguards
• Employment policies that do not fully comply with Georgia or federal labor laws
• Contractor and volunteer classifications that create wage and hour exposure
• Grant obligations that are not clearly tracked or documented
• IRS Form 990 filings that raise potential audit flags
• Incomplete charitable solicitation compliance under O.C.G.A. § 43-17-5
• Informal operational practices that differ from written policy
• Board disputes tied to unclear fiduciary expectations
• Increased political or regulatory scrutiny tied to organizational mission

A proactive legal audit provides an opportunity to conduct a measured, methodical risk evaluation while the organization is stable. Leaders can address vulnerabilities calmly and strategically before outside scrutiny or internal conflict forces reactive decision-making.

Unfortunately, many risks remain undiscovered until a problem arises. When an organization is already facing the aftermath of a dispute, complaint or compliance concern, a reactive audit remains an important step. It helps mitigate current consequences, identify whether the issue is isolated or systemic and reduce the likelihood of similar problems recurring.

What You Receive From a Cameron Hawkins Legal Audit

Our nonprofit legal audits are structured, document-driven reviews designed to produce clear, actionable guidance. Depending on the scope selected, your organization receives:

• A written compliance report identifying specific risk areas
• Prioritized recommendations for corrective action
• Identification of immediate compliance concerns versus long-term governance improvements
• Risk mitigation strategies tailored to your organization’s size and operational structure
• Where applicable, a compliance roadmap outlining next steps

For organizations seeking a more comprehensive review, audit services may also include:

• In-depth contract review and conflict analysis
• Executive compensation and wage and hour exposure assessment
• IRS audit risk evaluation
• Review of charitable solicitation practices and donor disclosures
• Digital and website compliance evaluation
• Board governance training sessions

Our approach is not theoretical. Recommendations are grounded in how regulators, courts and opposing counsel would evaluate your documentation if it were ever challenged.

The objective is clarity: leadership should understand where risk exists, how serious it is and what practical steps can reduce exposure.

Core Areas Reviewed in a Nonprofit Legal Audit

Governance and Board Compliance

We review whether your governance framework aligns with Georgia nonprofit corporate requirements and IRS expectations. This includes:

• Articles of incorporation
• Bylaws and amendments
• Conflict of interest policies
• Board structure and committee authority
• Documentation practices, including meeting minutes
• Fiduciary duty alignment

Strong governance is not just a best practice. It is often the first area regulators examine when questions arise.

Employment and HR Compliance

Nonprofits frequently operate with hybrid staffing models that combine employees, contractors and volunteers. Misclassification or incomplete employment policies can create significant liability exposure. Our review may include:

• Employee handbook analysis
• Wage and hour compliance under federal and Georgia law
• Executive compensation structures
• Leave and accommodation procedures
• Internal complaint processes
• Volunteer and contractor agreements

Clear documentation reduces ambiguity and limits exposure to employment claims.

Financial and Tax Compliance

Financial oversight is central to maintaining public trust and tax-exempt status. We examine:

• IRS Form 990 filings
• Internal financial policies
• Executive compensation disclosures
• Audit risk indicators
• Restricted fund documentation

Even technical reporting inconsistencies can create unnecessary regulatory attention if left unaddressed.

Charitable Solicitation and Donor Compliance

Georgia nonprofits must comply with state charitable solicitation laws and federal disclosure obligations. We evaluate:

• State registration compliance
• Donor disclosure practices
• Fundraising language and representations
• Alignment between fundraising activity and reported use of funds

Transparency in this area protects both donor trust and regulatory standing.

Contracts and Third-Party Relationships

Vendor agreements, partnership contracts and grant obligations often contain indemnification clauses, performance commitments and termination provisions that create long-term exposure. We assess whether:

• Agreements reflect current operational realities
• Risk allocation provisions are reasonable
• Conflicts of interest are properly documented
• Grant conditions are fully understood and tracked

Contractual risk frequently goes unnoticed until a dispute arises.

Digital Compliance and Data Privacy

Nonprofits increasingly collect donor and participant data online. We review:

• Website terms and privacy policies
• Donor data handling practices
• Cybersecurity safeguards
• Compliance with Georgia’s Personal Privacy Protection Act

Digital vulnerabilities can lead to both reputational and regulatory consequences.

A Litigation-Informed Perspective on Risk

The Law Office of Cameron Hawkins brings a civil litigation and liability defense background to nonprofit compliance work. That background allows us to evaluate your documentation through the lens of how it would be examined during:

• A regulatory inquiry
• An IRS review
• An employment claim
• A donor dispute
• A board conflict

Our nonprofit attorneys are experienced in identifying weaknesses that may not be obvious in day-to-day operations but could become central in a contested setting.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More About Our Atlanta Nonprofit Legal Audits and Risk Assessments

Whether conducted proactively or in response to a specific concern, a legal audit can strengthen your organization’s foundation, mitigate future risk and allow leadership to focus on mission delivery rather than crisis management.

If your Atlanta nonprofit would benefit from a structured legal audit and risk assessment, the Law Office of Cameron Hawkins can provide experienced outside counsel to help you identify vulnerabilities and implement practical solutions before compliance issues escalate.