Experience

John R. Wylie is a partner of the firm in the Colorado Springs office. He joined the firm in 1989 after practicing for six years in Los Angeles. Since joining HRO, Mr. Wylie has focused on advising nonprofit organizations, including religious, charitable, sports, health care and educational institutions, as well as private foundations. He led the firm’s Nonprofit Team for 10 years. Mr. Wylie not only brings technical expertise to his practice, but he also has a deep understanding of nonprofit organizations and a unique sensitivity to their priorities and legal needs.

Representative clients Mr. Wylie serves are The Navigators, Young Life, ComCor, Inc., David C. Cook, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, JA Worldwide (f/k/a Junior Achievement), Awana Clubs International, Compassion International, Colorado College, United States Volleyball Association, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mr. Wylie's experience includes such activities as obtaining private letter rulings from the IRS, structuring mergers, joint ventures and "strategic alliances" between nonprofit organizations, as well as between nonprofits and for-profits, providing counsel regarding the international activities of such organizations and negotiating and closing mergers and major asset transactions.

Publications

"Roles and Responsibilities of Directors and Officers," Chapter 2, A Guide for Colorado Nonprofit Organizations, First Ed. (Karen E. Leaffer, ed., CLE in Colorado, Inc. 2007)

"Distinguishing Among Churches, Religious Orders, and Other Religious Organizations," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), September/ October 1995 (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author)

"Final Regulations Define Church Integrated Auxiliaries," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), May/June 1996 (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author)

"Two Cases Produce Different Outcomes on Employee Status of Ministers," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), January/ February 1996 (G. Leland Dutcher, co-author)

"The Housing Allowance for 'Nontraditional' Ministers Depends on Direct Ministry Services," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), January/February 1997 (Steve L. Gaines, co-author)

"Recent Developments Require Another Look at Unemployment Taxes," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), May/June 1997 (Stuart J. Lark, co-author)

"Types of Religious Organizations:  Differences from a Tax Perspective," The Colorado Lawyer, November 1997  (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author)

"Charitable Solicitations Require Careful Compliance with State Registration Rules," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), January/February 1998  (co-author Steven B. Smith)

"Tax Planning in the Era of the 'Strategic Alliance'," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), September/October 1998 (Stuart J. Lark, co-author)

"Form Follows Function in Planning Activities with Foreign Organizations," Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), May/June 1999 (Stuart J. Lark, co-author)

"Sta-Home Health Agency, et al. v. Commissioner: A 21st Century Odyssey," American Health Lawyers Association Tax and Finance Practice Group, August 9, 2006 (Thomas K. Hyatt and Stephen P. Nash, co-authors)

Professional & Community Affiliations

American Bar Association, member, Exempt Organizations Committee and Religious Organizations Subcommittee of the Taxation Section, 1990-present

Advisory Board Member and Religious Organizations Columnist, Taxation of Exempts (formerly known as Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations) published by Warren Gorham & Lamont, 1995-1999

Colorado Springs Nonprofit Center Advisory Board, 1992

Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation Nonprofit Organizations Task Force, co-chairman, 1992

U.S. Volleyball Association Budget Committee, 1992-1993

Christian Legal Society, member of the board of directors, 1990-2000; President, 1996-1998; Center for Law and Religious Freedom Board Committee, 1995-2002 (Chairman, 1998-1999)

Christian Legal Society of Colorado Springs, member of the board of directors, 1991-2000

Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association, President, 2006-present

Speeches & Seminars

Christian Camp & Conference Association

Christian Leadership Alliance

Christian Legal Society

Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants

Colorado Springs Nonprofit Center

Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc.

CrossGlobal Link

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

Grant Thornton National Exempt Organizations Conference

Mission Exchange

National Business Institute