Exempt Organizations-Focused Attorney Allyson Deraps Joins Farella as Special Counsel

Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce the addition of Allyson Deraps as special counsel and a member of its Family Wealth Group, focusing on exempt organizations. Allyson previously practiced at Farella from 2010 to 2014 before going in-house and then starting her own eponymous firm, where she provided outside general counsel services to nonprofit organizations and social enterprises.

“We are delighted to welcome Allyson back to Farella. She is a strategic advisor who combines excellent legal judgment with a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing exempt and purpose-driven organizations,” said Farella senior exempt organizations partner Cynthia Rowland. “Her experience, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, makes her an outstanding resource for our clients.”

Allyson advises public charities on a broad range of legal matters, including formation, corporate governance, compliance, risk management, contracts, employment issues, and intellectual property protection. Her legal representation is built on a deep understanding of the unique needs of nonprofit and purpose-driven entities.

Notably, from 2014 to 2022, Allyson was in-house counsel with the nonprofit Burning Man Project. She has been a regular attendee of Burning Man since 2004 and was profiled during her tenure with the organization in her alumni magazine in 2018.

“I’m excited to rejoin Farella to help build the firm’s premier exempt organizations practice with a focus on the public charities sector,” said Allyson Deraps. “Having worked in-house, I understand the day-to-day pressures nonprofits face and their need for practical, mission-aligned legal guidance. My goal is to be a true partner with purpose—so our clients can stay focused on what matters most: advancing their missions and delivering impact in the communities they serve.”

Allyson is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (J.D., 2010) and New York University (B.A., 1999). She is active in the nonprofit community and currently serves as chair of the board of directors of the Center for Youth Development through Law and as a member of the emeritus board of Tandem, Partners in Early Learning. Allyson is also a longtime literacy volunteer with Reading Partners.

About Farella

Farella Braun + Martel is a leading Northern California law firm representing corporate and private clients in sophisticated business and real estate transactions and complex commercial, civil, and criminal litigation. Clients seek our imaginative legal solutions and the dynamism and intellectual creativity of our lawyers. We are headquartered in San Francisco and maintain an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry.

Contact:
Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
415.954.4433 / [email protected]