Partnership with Purpose

Allyson Deraps focuses her law practice on supporting nonprofits, social enterprises, and other mission-focused organizations by providing solutions-oriented advice that empowers her clients to amplify their impact. Her philosophy is rooted in education and collaboration, ensuring that you’ll not only receive effective legal guidance but also gain a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. Allyson’s clients value her integrity, enthusiasm, and commitment to their success. She believes in building lasting relationships, taking the time to understand your organization and its goals, and providing frank and pragmatic advice that aligns with your values.

Services

Deraps Law provides comprehensive legal services tailored specifically for nonprofits and other purpose-driven enterprises, empowering them with the legal guidance and tools they need to propel their missions forward. Here are just some of the ways Allyson can help:

  • Rock-solid governance frameworks are essential components of any successful enterprise. Allyson can advise on:

    • Drafting, reviewing, and updating organizational bylaws and internal policies to promote transparency and accountability.

    • Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations to minimize risk and maintain good standing.

    • Board development and training, ensuring your leadership team is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to discharge their fiduciary duties.

  • Effective contract management is crucial to the success of your partnerships and transactions. Allyson can support with:

    • Contract drafting and review, with clear and fair provisions that protect your interests while fostering collaboration.

    • Negotiating contracts to achieve favorable terms with vendors, partners, and other stakeholders.

    • Managing your obligations to funders and operating your own fiscal sponsorship and other grantmaking programs.

  • Allyson understands the importance of building your brand identity to further your mission. She provides guidance on:

    • The registration and maintenance of trademarks to protect your organization’s name and logos.

    • The copyright registration process for original works, including publications and digital content.

    • The development of strategies to safeguard your intellectual property rights and leverage them for fundraising and marketing.

    • The implementation of policies and practices that ensure your organization remains compliant with the continually evolving landscape of data privacy laws.

  • Allyson offers practical advice on a variety of employment-related matters, including:

    • Drafting and reviewing handbooks and policies that promote a positive workplace culture and compliance with labor laws.

    • Navigating classification issues and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of your employees, contractors, and volunteers.

    • Providing counsel on the resolution of workplace disputes and the conduct of internal investigations.

  • Drawing on her extensive experience as both outside and in-house counsel, Allyson offers ongoing legal services to address a diverse range of needs, including:

    • Legal risk assessment to identify potential exposure areas and develop mitigation strategies.

    • Customized training sessions and workshops to empower your staff with legal knowledge, covering such topics as governance best practices, contract essentials, and employment law basics.

    • Fractional general counsel services, providing on-demand advice as legal issues arise so you have the support you need when you need it.

Representative Projects

Grants and Fiscal Sponsorship Program Development

Allyson guided a scientific research and educational organization through the process of implementing a comprehensive grantmaking and fiscal sponsorship program. Her services included creating various agreements, policies, and operational manuals to ensure compliance with applicable laws. The result was a robust and sustainable program that enhanced the nonprofit’s ability to support a range of mission-aligned projects while mitigating legal and financial risks.

Employment Practices Review

Allyson conducted a thorough review of the employment practices of a growing arts and culture nonprofit to assess overall compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws. The project focused on worker classifications, helping the client ensure that each individual was correctly engaged as an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor and that all employee roles were appropriately categorized as exempt or nonexempt. Allyson provided tailored recommendations, policies, and trainings that benefited the client by promoting a culture of compliance, avoiding costly misclassification penalties, and improving employee engagement.

Trademark Portfolio Management

Allyson has advised a number of clients regarding the effective management of their trademark portfolios, including developing mission-aligned protection strategies across multiple jurisdictions and ensuring that trademarks are properly cleared, registered, maintained, and enforced, both domestically and internationally.

About

Allyson Deraps is an experienced attorney who advises organizations that are dedicated to making a difference. Her legal approach centers around thought partnership with her clients, fostering a collaborative environment where legal knowledge meets purpose-driven passion. 

Prior to forming Deraps Law, Allyson served as Deputy General Counsel to the Burning Man Project nonprofit corporation, where she enjoyed providing collaborative counsel on the wide range of legal issues impacting its annual Burning Man event and year-round programming, including in the areas of governance, compliance, employment law, and intellectual property law. She was the subject of a 2018 profile in California Magazine, a publication of the Cal Alumni Association, titled “After the Playa: Decompressing with Burning Man’s Lawyer.”

Allyson began her legal career as an associate attorney at Farella Braun + Martel LLP in San Francisco, where she represented technology companies and individuals in complex intellectual property and business disputes. She is a 2010 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science from New York University in 1999.

Allyson is proud to be an active participant in her community. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Center for Youth Development through Law and as a member of the Emeritus Board of Tandem, Partners in Early Learning. She is also a long-time literacy volunteer with Reading Partners.

Let’s Connect

If you’re ready to take your organization to the next level with practical and strategic legal guidance, Deraps Law is here to help. Contact Allyson to schedule a consultation and explore how you can work together to achieve your goals.