Our Team

We recognize no legal need is typical or routine, so we tailor our legal services to meet your specific needs and goals. We are accessible and able to give personal attention to each client.

David Bea

David Bea, shareholder, founded the firm in 2004 after practicing for seven years at a firm that was well known for its tax-exempt organization law practice. While practicing at that firm, he also developed a substantial practice in creative intellectual property, which includes publishing contracts, trademark advice, registration and licensing, and copyright advice, registration, and licensing.

He founded this law firm to tailor his services to the specific needs of a unique mix of clients, including nonprofits, publishers, and content creators.

David believes that the best legal services can take place when the attorney takes a step back and understands the bigger picture. “All of our clients are, in their own ways, working to make the world a better place. Our mission is to serve this unique mix of clients with quality legal services,” says David.

David previously served on nonprofit boards, including Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Glessner House Museum, and his home church. He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Central University, a master’s from Wheaton College, and his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University. Prior to founding the firm in 2004, he practiced for seven years in tax-exempt organization law with Michael P. Mosher & Associates, a firm renowned for its deep experience in tax-exempt organization law.

Speaking Engagements

BootCamp for New Nonprofit CEOs: Current Legal Issues Affecting Nonprofits; sponsored by the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management (August, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024)
Federal Tax Conference: Recent Developments in Tax Exempt Organization Law; sponsored by the Illinois Bar Association (February, 2019)
Federal Tax Conference: Recent Developments in Tax Exempt Organization Law; sponsored by the Illinois Bar Association (February, 2018)
The Various Legal Structures of Social Enterprises, special lecture for a class at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Fall semester, 2017)
BootCamp for New Nonprofit CEOs: Current Legal Issues Affecting Nonprofits; sponsored by the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management (August, 2017)
Federal Tax Conference: Recent Developments in Tax Exempt Organization Law; sponsored by the Illinois Bar Association (February, 2016)
State Regulation Affecting Nonprofit Charitable Organizations, Exempt Organizations Division of the Federal Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association (October, 2015)
Federal Tax Conference: Recent Developments in Tax Exempt Organization Law; sponsored by the Illinois Bar Association (February, 2015)
Organizing for Social Enterprise: Non-Profit vs. For-Profit, A Workshop Sponsored by The Law Office Bea & VandenBerk and GoodCity (December, 2014)
Tax Treatment of Bitcoin, Internal Revenue Service TE/GE Advisory Council, Midwest Division (October, 2014)
Organizing a Nonprofit, special lecture for a class on Museum Management for Adjunct Professor William Tyre, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Spring semester, 2013)
Legal and Tax Issues in Publishing and Social Media, part of a seminar for nonprofits sponsored by the accounting firm of Capin Crouse, held at Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois (November, 2012)
Application of Intellectual Property Law to Organizing Charitable Foot Races, Race Director University, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (May, 2012)
Application of Fund Raising Law to Organizing Charitable Foot Races, Race Director University, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (May, 2012)
Legal Issues in Social Media and E-Publishing, Exempt Organizations Division of the Federal Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association (February 2012)
Joys, Responsibilities, and Perils of Lawyers Serving on Nonprofit Boards, seminar presented to the Young Professionals Board of Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Chicago (January, 2012)
Organizing a Nonprofit, special lecture for a class on Entrepreneurship, Wheaton College (Spring semester, 2012)
Legal Issues in Marketing, Illinois Association of Park Districts (January, 2012)
State Regulation Affecting Nonprofit Charitable Organizations, Exempt Organizations Division of the Federal Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association (January, 2011)
Intersections between Intellectual Property Law and Exempt Organizations, Chicago Bar Association (January, 2006)
State Regulation Affecting Nonprofit Charitable Organizations, Chicago Bar Association (September, 2002)

Publications

“Organizing an Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2024.
“Merger and Consolidation, Sales of Assets, and Dissolution.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). ed 2024.
“Organizing an Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2021.
“Merger and Consolidation, Sales of Assets, and Dissolution.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2021.
“Employment Issues.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education ed 2017.
“Merger and Consolidation, Sales of Assets, and Dissolution.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education ed 2017.
“Government Regulations.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education ed 2017.
“Courts Illuminate the Criteria for Tax Exemption,” Taxation of Exempts. (September/October 2011), by Bea, David L. and Mays, Daniel J.
General editor of the educational articles appearing on law firm website beavandenberk.com

Boards and Memberships

Boards

Audit Committee Member, Crossway (nonprofit religious publisher), Wheaton, Illinois (2008-present)
Board Member, Glessner House Museum, Chicago (2003-present; as Vice President 2014-2016)
Board Member and Personnel Committee Member, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Chicago, (1997-2017; and as Board Chair 1998-2000)
Board Member, College Church in Wheaton, Wheaton, Illinois (2002-2004 and 2020-2024)

Memberships

Member, Illinois State Bar Association
Member, Chicago Bar Association
Chair, Exempt Organizations Division of the Federal Tax Committee, Chicago Bar Association (2011-2012)
Vice Chair, Exempt Organizations Division of the Federal Tax Committee, Chicago Bar Association (2010-2011)

Daniel Mays

Daniel J. Mays, shareholder, joined the firm in 2007. He works with nonprofits, publishers, and businesses in the areas of practice handled by the firm.

Daniel strives to provide excellent legal services to every client and enjoys learning their unique stories and building long-term relationships with them.

Daniel formerly served on the board of directors of Cornerstone Counseling Center, including several years as its chair. Daniel earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and his Juris Doctorate from Baylor University.

Speaking Engagements

Interviewed by Legal Affairs Correspondent Mary Reichard about defamation law on the podcast “The World and Everything in It” (July 2017).
BootCamp for New Nonprofit CEOs: Bylaws Roundtable Discussion, sponsored by the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management (July 2014).
Adjunct instructor teaching Business Law at Wheaton College (Spring 2008).

Publications

“Government Regulations.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2024.
“Government Regulations.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2021.
“Government Regulations.” Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporations. IICLE. ed 2017.
“Courts Illuminate the Criteria for Tax Exemption,” Taxation of Exempts (September/October 2011), by Bea, David L. and Mays, Daniel J.
Regular author of educational articles appearing on the law firm website beavanenberk.com

Matthew Brown

Matthew Brown is a senior associate attorney who provides comprehensive legal representation to churches, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits.

Matt enjoys helping nonprofit leaders find clarity and implement solutions that best fit the needs of their organization and their mission. He advises clients on a wide range of issues covering the entire nonprofit lifecycle. These include starting new nonprofits, obtaining tax exemption, implementing solid governance practices and policies, managing risk through strategic program development, drafting and reviewing of contracts, foreign grantmaking, protecting brand and reputation through trademark and copyright portfolios, investigating allegations of misconduct, and conducting comprehensive legal reviews for nonprofits.

Prior to joining the firm, Matt advised nonprofits at another Chicago-based firm and during law school interned with a nonprofit providing legal support for churches and ministries.

Matt serves on the board of directors of Foster the Family, a nonprofit that supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families. He also volunteers at a legal aid clinic. He and his wife have two biological daughters and also serve as foster parents. Matt enjoys spending time outside with his family including camping, playing disc golf, and watching baseball. His goal is to visit every Major league ballpark.

Publications

“Pistols in the Pews: The Pastors Guide to Firearm Laws and Policies in Places of Worship” (2020)
“Coronavirus and Church Closures: Will the COVID-19 Gathering Bans Survive Free Exercise Challenges” (2020)
“Masterpiece Cakeshop: A Formula for Legislative Accommodations of Religion” Akron Law Review (2019)

Professional Involvement

Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Christian Legal Society

Community Involvement

Volunteer Attorney, Administer Justice Legal Aid Clinic (2022-Present)

Board Member, Foster the Family (2025-Present)

Kathryn Vandenberk

Retired

Kathryn VandenBerk focused her legal career on nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, including nonprofit start-ups, corporate and tax law, and employment issues. Kathryn practiced law in Madison, Wisconsin, for nine years before serving as the president of two residential treatment centers for children. She then joined Mosher & Associates where she met and worked with David Bea. Kathryn started her private practice in 2005 and joined with David in 2013. Ms. VandenBerk has taught a graduate-level seminar in Employment Law at North Park University and has guest lectured at North Park’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management. While in retirement, Kathryn remains actively engaged in legal aid.