Legal Risk & Insurance Strategies for Nonprofits and Faith-Based Organizations

James R. Forrest | Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

James is a trusted M&A advisor and corporate counsel to companies, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, faith-based organizations, and non-profits around the country. He routinely works with executives to manage annual legal budgets, develop risk management strategies, and proactively implement legal initiatives.

In addition to his traditional corporate practice, James represents numerous faith-based organizations across the country and regularly assists them with corporate governance matters, bylaws, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, data privacy issues, financings, intellectual property matters, employment matters, abuse allegations, children’s policies, facility use policies, property tax exemptions, waivers, counseling issues, insurance matters, document retention policies, real estate matters and security policies.

Prior to joining Michael Best in 2022, James worked for two leading corporate firms before founding Forrest Firm in 2011. Forrest Firm experienced tremendous growth during its 11-year history based on its highly client-centric approach to legal services, focusing on predictable fees, responsiveness, and proactive solutions. Under James’ leadership, Forrest Firm grew to seven offices across North Carolina, 50+ team members, and served thousands of clients. In 2022, Forrest Firm combined with Michael Best in order to meet the needs of the firm’s growing client base. James has received numerous awards, including being named North Carolina’s Legal Elite by Business North Carolina Magazine, as well as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Outside of his law practice, James dedicates considerable time to community leadership and support. He has been involved with numerous organizations throughout his career, including First Tee of the Triangle, the Duke DREAM Campaign, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Kidznotes, Inc., the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Durham CrimeStoppers, Leadership Triangle, Leadership Durham, Mission Triangle, Corporate Chaplains of America, the Association for Corporate Growth, NC Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Durham Rescue Mission, Duke Children’s Hospital and the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

Dustin Gaines | My Church Law Firm

Dustin focuses his practice on litigation matters related to churches, schools, and non-profit organizations. His practice experience also reflects a robust history of defending religious nonprofit organizations during government investigations brought by state attorneys general and other government oversight bodies.
He has a diverse practice that focuses on general civil litigation matters and constitutional/religious liberties matters. Dustin is an experienced litigation attorney who handles cases from intake to evaluation and discovery, including expert and fact witness depositions, motion and briefing practice, and eventually all the way through resolution, whether it be through trial, arbitration, settlement, and dismissal, including appeals.

James Dick | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co

A commercial insurance advisor, James has spent all of his career working with religious “life transformation” organizations and housing on their corporate insurance and risk management programs. He has taught risk management best practices on a variety of safety and insurance topics to audiences across the United States. He helps manage several regional and national programs where Gallagher is the association insurance partner. James advises these associations and member organizations on their corporate insurance, claim, and insurance market trends. In 2025, he was recognized by Risk and Insurance Magazine as a Power Broker in the Nonprofit sector. James is a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU and an Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI). He graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University and lives in New York’s Capital Region with his family.

Session I – Understanding Insurance Risk in the Nonprofit Sector | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Basic insurance products for nonprofits
• General liability insurance
• Property insurance
• Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
• Governance and indemnity considerations

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Top Legal and Insurance Issues for Faith-Based Clients | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Substantive coverages
• Insurance trends
• Top legal issues
• Practical considerations
• Best practices