Colleen O’Leary is an Associate in the firm’s Tax-Exempt Organizations practice. Ms. O’Leary represents a broad range of public charities, private foundations, and other 501(c) organizations. Her clients include universities, arts and cultural institutions, artist endowed and family foundations, grantmaking and operating foundations, and other tax-exempt entities.

Ms. O’Leary’s practice includes advising on corporate governance and fiduciary duties, endowment funds and other restricted gifts, grantmaking, and compliance with federal and state tax laws and regulations.

Ms. O’Leary also represents tax-exempt organizations and donors in matters before federal and state regulators.

From 2020 to 2021, Ms. O'Leary served as a law clerk to the Hon. Don R. Willett of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 

  • New York

  • Note, "Constructing a Legal Framework for the Expansion Proposals of Collection Museums," 69 Duke L.J. 1391 (2020)

  • Duke University School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2020)
    • Order of the Coif
    • Notes Editor, Duke Law Journal
  • Harvard University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2017)
    • Phi Beta Kappa

  • Co-Presenter, "Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance," New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Webinar (February 18, 2025)
  • Co-Presenter, "Board Governance & Legal Essentials for Nonprofits," New York State Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services Webinar (November 13, 2025)