David A. Goldstein

CB David Goldstein

David Goldstein is the Chair of our Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organizations Practice Group. He represents international, national, regional and local not-for-profit and religious entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. He serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section, is the Secretary of the Business Law Section, and serves on the New York State Bar Association’s Bylaws Committee. Mr. Goldstein recently completed 5 consecutive terms as the Chairperson of the Not-for-Profit  Corporations Law Committee of the State Bar Association’s Business Law Section.

Mr. Goldstein counsels and advocates for nonprofits and religious organizations in a wide variety of areas, including governance, compliance, regulatory matters, ethics, conflicts of interest, risk assessment and risk management, as well as operations and commercial matters. He represents clients (both individuals and organizations) in internal disputes, regulatory investigations and regulatory actions, as well as in litigation – and continually counsels his clients on how to avoid these entanglements. 

He handles regulatory matters involving the Internal Revenue Service (including 501(c)(3) qualification) and New York State agencies such as the Charities Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State, the Division of Cemeteries, the Education Department, the Division of Homes and Community Renewal, and the Office of Mental Health. 

Mr. Goldstein is a frequent speaker and panelist on nonprofit legal matters, including at American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association programs, at legal and accounting continuing education seminars, and at various forums and conferences addressing legal issues affecting the nonprofit community. 

Prior to joining Certilman Balin, he was a partner at a Manhattan law firm where he practiced general corporate and securities law. He also gained extensive international experience, working with clients and local counsel in 35 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. 

Mr. Goldstein graduated cum laude and in the top 10% of his class at Fordham Law School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies from the State University of New York at Old Westbury. At Fordham, he was a member of the International Law Journal and was honored with the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.   

Education
Fordham Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1995
State University of New York at Old Westbury, B.A., 1992 

Bar Admission
New York

Bar Associations
New York State Bar Association 

Recognitions
Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award, Fordham Law School
International Law Journal, Fordham Law School, Member 

Appointments

  • Chair, Not-For-Profit Corporations Law Committee, New York State Bar Association Business Law Section
  • Executive Committee of New York State Bar Association Business Law Section
  • Chair, Advisory Council, Threshold Program at Lesley University (Threshold is a college-based program for young adults with diverse learning differences.)

Speaking Engagements

  • Nonprofit Update: In The Line of Fire (Highlights from Current Enforcement Actions, Litigation & Media Reports)
  • Nonprofit Connection: How to protect your tax-exempt status, how to protect your Board members from liability, and more
  • New York State Bar Association Business Law Basics: Not-For-Profit Law
  • New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting, Business Law Section Not-For-Profit Corporations Update: The New York Attorney General’s Petition Against The Donald J. Trump Foundation & Its Board
  • Tax Exempt Organizations From Start To Finish (NBI): New York Not-For-Profit Law
  • ABA Forum On Affordable Housing And Community Development Law: Representing Non-Profits
  • The Institute of Internal Auditors, Long Island Chapter: Nonprofit Fraud Awareness
  • New York State Bar Association: New York Not-For-Profit Organizations Practice Symposium
  • Nonprofit Executive Director Roundtable: New York Nonprofit Law & Governance; Traps for the Unwary
  • The Nonprofit Café: New York Nonprofit Governance Fundamentals.

Outside the Office
Was W.T. Clarke High School’s mascot, The Clarke Ram, alongside his cheerleading daughters for 2 years