Combining over 25 years of business law practice, 10 years in executive team nonprofit administration, and hundreds of hours of civic and church board service for practical legal advice to businesses, ESOPs, and nonprofits and churches:
Business Representation:
Business formation and start-up, business transactions and termination events; buy/sell agreements and business contracts; fiduciary training and advice for directors and officers.
- Representative work: Forming businesses and professional service firms; buying and selling retail, professional service, franchise, real estate and commercial businesses; recapitalizations and mergers; business contracts.
Nonprofits and Church Representation:
Nonprofits and Church Representation: Nonprofit formation, organizational documents and tax-exempt registrations; formation of churches, whether as unincorporated associations or corporations; church charters and bylaws.
- Representative work: converting member nonprofit into nonmember nonprofit (Christian camp, rescue squad); forming nonprofits for domestic and international ministry; merging churches and nonprofits; dissolving churches and nonprofits; converting unincorporated church into incorporated church
Simple Estate Planning:
Affordable estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, revocable trusts).
Professional Experience
2020-present
Lynn K Suter, Esq., PLLC
Mount. Crawford, VA2014-2020
Virginia Mennonite Missions
Harrisonburg, VADirector of Operations and International Ministries
2002-2013
Lenhart Pettit
Harrisonburg, VAPartner and Managing Partner (2011-2012)
2001-2002
Wharton, Aldhizer and Weaver
Of Counsel1998-2001
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VAExecutive Assistant to the President
1995-1997
Mennonite Board of Missions
Mission worker to Nepal1986-1994
Wharton, Aldhizer and Weaver
Harrisonburg, VAPartner (1992-1994); Associate (1986-1991)
Honors
AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Multiple listings in Best Lawyers and Virginia Business’ Legal EliteEducation
J.D., cum laude
Washington & Lee University School of Law
Lexington, VA- Law Review Contributor
- Burks Scholar
- Gardner Award for Best First Year Brief
B.A., cum laude
1979 - 1983
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VABoard Service
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative
Board of Directors
2019 – presentLayman, Diener & Borntrager Insurance Agency (ESOP)
Board of Directors
2021-presentRailside Enterprises Inc. (ESOP)
Board Advisor
2024 - PresentAbbey Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Abbey Ag & Trade, LLC
Board of Directors
Board of Managers
Impact Middle East
Board of Directors
2015 – 2025James Madison Innovations
Board of Directors
2009-2013Blue Ridge Community College Foundation
Board of Directors
2006-2012Director Emeritus since 2013
Bridgewater Healthcare, Inc.
Board of Directors
2006-2012NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center
Board of Directors
2009 - 2012Eastern Mennonite School
Board of Directors (including term as Chair)
2001-2010