Everyone Knows what a Cooperative Looks Like

CPE: 1 Credit Hour
Field of Study: Business Law 

Understanding board leadership and governance training are critical to developing a successful cooperative business. Join us for this 60-minute zoom that will cover the major characteristics of cooperatives, allowable variations from such characteristics, planning opportunities available in the Articles, Bylaws and other governing documents.  Todd Eskelsen, with Eskelsen Law Group, will lead us through a discussion of several governance topics on which the attorney-draftsman of Bylaws and the accountants and auditors should coordinate their counsel and advice. 

At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will have a better understanding of:

1. Three basic cooperative principles identified by the IRS for cooperatives – subordination of capital; democratic control by members; and allocation of margins on the basis of patronage;
2. Have a better understanding of the evolution of such principles, especially in the last 25 years; and
3. Be better able to identify and take advantage of planning ideas in connection with the three principles to address specific circumstances with cooperatives they advise.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Todd R. Eskelsen, JD, Eskelsen Law Group, LLC

Todd Eskelsen has broad and deep experience counseling cooperatives in agriculture, electrical, plumbing, grocery, and supply industries.  He advises cooperatives in every phase of production, processing, marketing, and use and has a long history as a trusted advisor to the largest U.S. producer of rice as its major outside attorney. Todd has also advised entities involved in personal and property security, staffing, food, government contracting, and other related industries on a wide range of legal issues.

By integrating practical legal analysis into successful business strategies, Todd empowers his clients to approach change and growth with confidence. He works with businesses at various stages of development in their corporate governance, strategic and operational issues, often getting in on the ground floor and helping organizations build the right business infrastructures the first time. Clients Todd has served rely on him to know their business and they trust his judgment on the right legal resources for their needs.

Todd currently has his own firm, Eskelsen Law Group, LLC, and was previously a Partner at the Washington DC office of Schiff Hardin LLP for 11 years and an associate and Partner for 21 years at the Washington DC office of the firm now known as Dentons. He holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and a BA from The University of Utah.

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, Director of Education, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

Wayne Sine is an experienced and highly knowledgeable professional in the field of Tax. Wayne recently retired as Tax Director from his company, Southern States Cooperative. He has extensive experience working with agricultural cooperatives and has been a long time member of the NSAC. He is extremely active in the NSAC, serving as both past Chapter President of the Atlantic Chapter, past Chair of the Tax Committee, and is currently serving as the NSAC Director of Education.. Wayne's career is marked with several accomplishments, and he has always been involved in many organizations, spreading his knowledge. Wayne is a member of the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. He is also Past Chair of both the Tax Committee of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association. Wayne also served on the Tax Policy Committee at the Virginia Society of CPAs, and served as past Region Vice President for the Tax Executives Institute.