Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C.

Religious, not-for-profit, educational, and social services organizations play important roles in our society, and Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella has a group of attorneys dedicated to providing the unique legal services that these organizations require. The experience and dedication of members of this group have enabled Burke, Warren to become an important resource for many organizations including religious institutions, church organizations, and religiously sponsored ministries.

Corporate, Sponsorship, and Tax

We provide comprehensive corporate services, including advising on complex sponsorship and governance issues; assisting in the formation of not-for-profit corporations and other legal structures; and effecting mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, joint ventures, and spin-offs. Our attorneys have significant experience in all major tax areas affecting such organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. We are especially adept at dealing with issues emanating from transactions, including those between exempt and non-exempt organizations.

Risk Management

A special focus of this group is the management of risks and claims, especially claims of serious personal misconduct. We advise clients about policies and practices to reduce and avoid risks, as well as methods for addressing claims and avoiding litigation, including alternatives to litigation such as mediation. We have been particularly effective in helping to assemble and advise multidisciplinary teams for crisis management.

Litigation

The attorneys in our group represent clients in litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts. The appellate litigation practice group has garnered extensive experience in dealing with public policy and constitutional issues, with significant experience around First Amendment Religion Clauses, as well as issues relating to the confidentiality of communications and documents.

Employment Matters

We provide services for the full range of employment-related issues, including at-will, contract, unionization, civil rights, unemployment compensation, and wage and hour issues. Our attorneys practice before the NLRB, the EEOC, state and local human rights commissions, and all other regulatory agencies dealing with employment issues. Similarly, our lawyers have experience in the employee benefits area to address ERISA and pension issues and assist in the design and documentation of employee benefits and compensation programs.

Real Estate and Real Estate Tax

We provide a wide range of general legal services adapted to the special needs of religious organizations, representing such clients in real estate sales, lease, and construction matters and various forms of finance issues, including tax-exempt financing. We regularly provide consultation on real estate tax matters.

Estate Planning, Fund Raising, and Sophisticated Giving

The attorneys in our Religious Organizations practice also consult with Burke, Warren's Wealth and Succession Planning lawyers on all aspects of fundraising and sophisticated giving programs.

At Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., we believe that diversity in the workplace enhances the quality of the legal services we provide and enables us to bring a broader perspective to the problems our clients face. Diversity also enriches the work atmosphere itself.

Diversity Committee

The BWM&S diversity committee, formed in 2006, is responsible for developing, monitoring, and evaluating Firm strategies and progress in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Chaired by the Firm's managing partner, Jeffrey D. Warren, the committee is comprised of male and female members with various backgrounds, including associates, partners and staff. Members share a commitment to increasing the Firm’s diversity. Each uses his or her unique experiences and background to support and further that goal.

Summer Associate Committee

The Firm seeks to recruit summer associates with strong legal skills and diverse backgrounds. The Summer Associate Committee, chaired by John Kobus, works with the Firm's Diversity Committee in the recruiting and evaluation of potential candidates. It is the expectation that Summer Associates will join the Firm upon graduation. The Summer Associate Committee is comprised of 80% women. Over the last three years, 75% of the Firm's summer associates have been women.

A Call to Action

In 2006, the Firm became a signatory on two Chicago Bar Association diversity initiatives. The first commits the Firm to increase the number of women in leadership positions. The second commits the Firm to increase the diversity in its hiring, retention and promotion of attorneys.

Success with gender diversity as of 2006

We believe that the quality and depth of women attorneys in particular at our Firm is an indication of our commitment to diversity:

• More than 25% of Firm attorneys are women;
• More than 50% of Firm associates are women;
• Over the last three years, 75% of Firm summer associates, the primary source of new attorney hires, have been women;
• Over the last three years, more than 40% of lateral hires have been women;
• Karen MacKay is one of the only female name partners among large and mid-sized Chicago law firms;
• Other women at the Firm have attained important leadership positions, including LeAnn Pope who chairs one of the Firm's most significant practice groups;
• The Firm has responded positively to every request received for more flexible hours and working arrangements. Currently over 25% of our female attorneys work flexible schedules to better allow for work/family balance.

A comparison of Firm results: January 2006 vs. Today

• Women partner representation has grown from 24% to 35% through promotions and lateral hires;
• The number of women participating in flexible work arrangements has doubled – the majority of whom are partners;
• The number of women associates at the Firm has grown from 50 to over 60%;
• African American representation has grown from zero to 10% of our associates;
• Asian American representation has grown from zero to 10% of our associates.