Almost 2,000 nonprofits in San Francisco had to move out of San Francisco or fold between 2011 and 2013 because of the rapidly escalating real estate costs. Two years later, the exodus continues in 2015 with more nonprofits seeking less costly office space as their S.F. leases expire.

Minami Tamaki LLP’s Business and Nonprofit Counseling practice recently helped three nonprofits move from The City to Oakland, applying its considerable experience with commercial leasing for companies like Straits Restaurant Group, which operates four locations.

Leasing new office space can be bewildering, especially since most nonprofits don’t have the in-house expertise to ensure the organization is treated fairly and is sufficiently protected in agreements with new landlords.

Partner Donald Tamaki and Associate Phillip Zackler were retained by Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, and the Women’s Foundation to help with the leasing process and contracts for these organizations’ new homes in downtown Oakland.

With almost 40 years of experience in business law, Don has been named 10 consecutive times to the Northern California Super Lawyers list and has received the AV® Preeminent™ rating, the highest from the Martindale-Hubble attorney directory. His long list of nonprofit clients include the California HealthCare Foundation, the State Bar of California, and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Phil has also been named to the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

Nonprofits turn to Don and Phil because they bring a rare combination of legal expertise and hands-on experience as managers and fiduciaries of nonprofits. They know nonprofits from the inside and bring that perspective to serve clients.

Don was the first executive director of the Asian Law Caucus and has been a director on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Glide Foundation and the San Francisco Japantown Foundation, where he currently serves as President. Phil is on the Glide board and its executive committee.

“Nonprofit clients want the best legal counsel at reasonable rates,” said Don, “but they also want attorneys who understand that corporations in the nonprofit sector have different needs and challenges than their private sector counterparts. Phil and I know nonprofits from the inside and bring that insight to the nonprofits we serve.”