BEA & VANDENBERK - Key Persons
Daniel J. Mays, shareholder, practices in the areas of tax-exempt organization law, intellectual property, contracts, and general business. Mr. Mays started working for the firm in 2007, and his practice involves assisting tax-exempt organizations with initial and on-going legal matters, providing trademark and copyright counsel, and drafting contracts. He also handled matters relating to technology including software licensing, data privacy law, and website policies. Mr. Mays has formerly served on the board of directors of Cornerstone Counseling. Mr. Mays earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University and bachelor's degree from Calvin College.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Principal of Bea & VandenBerk, David Bea 's Practice Centers on Serving Nonprofits, Publishers, and Creatives
For over twenty years, David has counseled nonprofit entities on corporate formation, corporate governance, restructuring, joint ventures, mergers, and dissolution. He has extensive experience with federal income tax exemption and compliance, state sales tax exemption, and local property tax exemption. In addition, David also advises for-profit entities on incorporation and formation with a particular emphasis on limited liability companies and drafting their operating agreements.
David's creative intellectual property practice experience includes trademark law, copyright law, and publishing law. His intellectual property practice includes both trademark and copyright registration, licensing, dispute resolution, and contract negotiation and drafting.
David also advises both for-profit and non-profit employers on a full range of employment law matters, including structuring and preparing employment agreements. He has extensive experience advising 501(c)(3) employers on structuring executive compensation policies and packages that comply the Internal Revenue Code's regulation regarding executive compensation. In addition, he counsels the firm's Illinois-based clients on Illinois employment and administrative laws, as well as employment laws specific to employers located in Chicago and Cook County.
David and the firm serve a wide range of nonprofit organizations including religious organizations, churches, charities, schools, colleges, museums, publishers, scientific organizations, associations, and private foundations. The majority of these nonprofit organizations are exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code section (charitable, religious, educational, or scientific) but many 501(c)(7) (social clubs), and even a 501(c)(13) (cemetery association).
He also serves as legal adviser for several for-profit entities, social enterprises, and organizations that are related to or are subsidiaries of nonprofits. His clients are nationwide and include many organizations that operate internationally.
Julia Hahn Erickson, Of Counsel, focuses on the formation of new tax-exempt organizations and employment issues. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia. She earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. Prior to joining Bea & VandenBerk, Ms. Erickson attained a background in insurance, having experience as a casualty claims adjuster, as well as experience as an attorney handling insurance defense litigation. Ms. Erickson has served on boards and volunteered for nonprofits. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.