Introduction
Mr. Andrew D. Morton is a partner at Handler Thayer LLP and Chair of the firm’s Sports & Entertainment Law Group, serving a client base of professional athletes, Olympians, artists, entertainers and other public figures who wish to maximize their social impact.
Operating at the intersection of celebrity and philanthropy, Andrew’s innovative practice encompasses all aspects of high-profile philanthropic engagement and branding: from the formation of tax-exempt organizations, to ongoing oversight, compliance, governance and reporting consistent with legal requirements and best practices. Given his deep understanding of various nonprofit legal structures, he often recommends alternative solutions when appropriate, such as establishing a fiscal sponsorship or donor advised fund (DAF).
Andrew’s breadth of experience in nonprofit corporate governance enables him to intervene at the eleventh hour to support crisis management strategy, and remedy operational issues that may threaten public perception or even an organization’s tax-exempt status. Over the past decade, he has successfully obtained numerous retroactive reinstatements of tax-exempt status revocations, public charity reclassifications and waivers of IRS penalties for tax filing deficiencies.
Based in Washington, DC, Andrew leads clients in the development and execution of public policy efforts, ranging from organizing and overseeing witness appearances before congressional committees, to arranging targeted private meetings with key members of Congress and the Administration. Leveraging his depth of experience and relationships within political circles, Hollywood and professional sports, he helps clients develop a legislative advocacy strategy and integrate public policy into their long-term business planning.
Along with award-winning actress and philanthropist Julia Ormond, Andrew Co-Founded the Alliance to Stop Slavery & End Trafficking (ASSET), and serves on the Board of Managers of the University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Law Alumni Society, as well as the Advisory Board for the Penn Law Public Service Program.
For his extensive advocacy on behalf of nonprofit clients, the D.C. Bar Association honored Andrew as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, and he also received the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award from the Legal Aid Society. Penn Law recognized him with its Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the development of law and the legal profession, as well as the Benjamin R. Jones Award for Law and Humanity, the Law School’s most prestigious public interest recognition. Andrew has been peer-selected as a Leading Lawyer annually since 2017.
Directorships
• Co-Founder & Director, Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET)
• Board of Managers, University of Pennsylvania Law School Alumni Society
• Advisory Board, University of Pennsylvania Law School Public Interest Program
• Director & Counsel, OneBlue
Publications
Charles Gordon, Stanley Mailman, & Stephen Yale-Loehr, “Detention of Non-Citizens,” Immigration Law and Procedure (authored revisions for 2006 edition).
Charles Gordon, Stanley Mailman, & Stephen Yale-Loehr, “Special Immigrants,” Immigration Law and Procedure (authored revisions for 2005 edition).
Andrew D. Morton, “Opportunities for Non-Profit Advocacy: Promoting Changes of INS Custody Laws and Policies in the Face of Internal Revenue Service Restrictions on Lobbying,” Detention Watch Newsletter, Winter (2002).
Andrew D. Morton and Wendy Young, “Children Asylum Seekers Face Challenges in the United States,” Refuge Magazine, February (2002).
Andrew D. Morton, “Much Ado About Newsgathering: Personal Privacy, Law Enforcement, and the Law of Unintended Consequences for Anti-Paparazzi Legislation,” 147 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1435 (1999).
Affiliations
Member, Alliance to Stop Slavery & End Trafficking (ASSET)
Member, OneBlue
Member, University of Pennsylvania Law School Public Service Program
Member, Athletes & Executives
Contact Information
Phone: (312) 641-2100
Email: amorton@handlerthayer.com
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