CHRISTOPHER T. LEIGH-MANUELL
Christopher T. Leigh-Manuell provides paralegal services to nonprofit and philanthropic clients and manages the firm's registration, reporting, and filing compliance program. In addition to ensuring clients are compliant with state and federal registration and reporting requirements, he provides paralegal services in the areas of nonprofit formation, incorporation, bylaw development and review, and applying for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
Central to his work with clients is Chris' understanding that each client possesses a unique set of principles, objectives and resources that impact the scope and direction of our work together. With this understanding, Chris works with clients to build individualized compliance programs that are both fully compliant with the law and relevant to the unique needs of each organization: whether completing corporate or charitable registrations across the country for clients operating nationally, or providing targeted registration assessments for clients operating in a limited number of states. Once the client's filing requirements have been determined, Chris provides registration, reporting, filing, and extension request services. In this capacity, he regularly works with offices of the Secretaries of State and Attorneys General across the country.
Chris' prior employment and volunteer work includes more than twenty years experience in the nonprofit sector where he has provided advocacy, program and community development, and support services. As an employee or a consultant, he has worked with the American Red Cross, Massachusetts Bible Society, Mercy Haven, British Soldiers Fund and At the Table. Chris served these organizations in many capacities from providing direct client services, development planning, and program development, to networking in the US and abroad. Prior to beginning a development consulting practice, Chris served as Vicar at Faith Lutheran Church where he ministered to a congregation of approximately eighty members, managed the congregation's community meal program, and established close relationships with other faith communities in the neighborhood.
In addition to his work with clients, Chris also oversees the firm's accounting and billing services, which includes managing retainer accounts, invoicing, bookkeeping and auditing.
Christopher Leigh-Manuell received a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University in 2004, and a B.A., magna cum laude, with a major in History and English and a Minor in Multicultural Education from Ball State University in 1999. He currently volunteers his time working in advocacy and supporting his local community farm.
