Jennifer L. Aronson

Jennifer is a partner in the Corporate & Securities Practice at Hodgson Russ. She represents a variety of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in organizational, compliance, transactional, governance, and operational matters. Though her nonprofit work spans across a wide range of charitable industries, Jennifer has significant experience in charter and non-public school law, serving as outside counsel to these institutions on regulatory compliance and governance issues.  In addition to her nonprofit work, Jennifer also advises private and public companies on a wide range of legal matters, including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, dispositions, joint ventures, financing, and general corporate matters.

Nonprofit Corporate Governance and Board Strategy

Jennifer is a strategic, mission-aligned advisor in the nonprofit sector, offering strategic guidance to organizations seeking to enhance operational efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability.  With an intentional approach centered around each organization’s charitable purposes, she has guided numerous nonprofits through critical transitions, including dispositions of assets, mergers, consolidations, joint ventures, and dissolutions.  Her extensive experience includes regular engagement with the state charities bureau, regulatory agencies, and the IRS to facilitate compliance and regulatory adherence.

In addition to overseeing structural transitions, Jennifer provides comprehensive legal counsel to public charities and private foundations, addressing matters such as “nonprofit legal audits,” fundraising, donor relations, scholarships and grant administration, gifts, and innovative financing solutions.  She further supports organizations through governance advisement, bylaw and policy review, board training, and compliance matters. Her recent work includes advising nonprofit housing organizations on the sale and refinancing of housing projects, as well as managing membership substitutions involving health care and nursing home nonprofits.  Jennifer also recently merged two schools to ensure a seamless transition for both the school and the students they serve.

General Corporate, Reorganizations, Mergers and Acquisitions, Dissolutions, and Sale of Assets

Known for crafting strategic legal solutions that address complex commercial challenges, Jennifer is recognized for delivering practical legal solutions to complex business challenges. She is committed to safeguarding her clients’ interests while cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, including vendors, suppliers, shareholders, targets, investors, and customers.

Jennifer provides legal counsel to public and private companies of varying size and revenue on a broad spectrum of corporate and business law matters. A significant focus of her practice is corporate governance, where she assists clients in developing robust frameworks for ethical decision-making, regulatory compliance, and leadership accountability. Her expertise extends to corporate structuring and restructuring, investor relations, contract negotiation, vendor agreements, mergers and acquisitions, dissolutions, disposition of assets, finance, and governance policies designed to reinforce organizational integrity.

Jennifer’s work spans industries such as food and beverage, lending, cannabis, technology, professional services, education, housing, and health care, reflecting her ability to navigate the distinct regulatory and operational complexities within each sector. Through her strategic approach to corporate governance, she empowers businesses to enhance transparency, mitigate risk, and maintain sustainable growth.

Charter/Non-public School Representation

Drawing on her background as a former Teach for America educator and equipped with a Master's in Education, Jennifer brings a distinct and informed perspective to her legal practice, particularly in the education sector. She has extensive experience representing charter schools and non-public schools through every phase of their lifecycle—from initial formation to dissolution.  She provides strategic counsel and representation in matters including:

Corporate governance and regulatory compliance

• Education law and institutional policies
• Teacher and student disciplinary matters
• Tax-exempt status procurement and maintenance
• Real estate transactions, including leasing, acquisition, development, and financing
• Mergers, consolidations, and organizational restructuring
• Collaboration with charter management organizations
• Formation and structuring of “Friends Of” entities
• Charter school renewals and accreditation
• Navigating complex regulatory requirements

Jennifer also dedicates part of her practice to pro bono work, representing a variety of charitable and educational clients. She focuses on initiatives that foster entrepreneurial opportunities for women, advance educational success for all children, and combat antisemitism.

A respected leader in the community, Jennifer serves as President of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. She is the creator and host of the “She Talks Law” podcast, which addresses hot topics and important legal issues impacting women entrepreneurs, business owners, and women-led boards.

Services

Education

Florida State University, B.A.

Syracuse University School of Education, M.S.

Syracuse University College of Law, J.D.

Admissions

• New York