Weiss Schwarz Keidar, Law Office

Weiss Schwarz Keidar, Law Office is the first law firm in Israel that specializes in providing consulting and legal assistance to non-profit organizations and the third sector. The firm was established in the early 2000s by lawyers Amiram Bogut and Yaron Keidar (the original name of the firm was Bogut-Keidar Law Office) who, prior to the establishment of the firm, held the position of Registrar of Associations and Head of the Corporations Authority and are the leading experts in their field in Israel. Recently, Adv. Karen Schwartz joined the firm, after serving as the registrar of the Ottoman associations, as well as the registrar of foundations, which means the firm includes currently two former registrars of associations and is headed by the three partners, Adv. Yaron Keidar, Adv. Shuli Weiss, and Adv. Karen Schwartz.

The Ultimate Goal: Comprehensive and Ongoing Support for Non-Profit Organizations, Endowments, Ottoman Societies and Community-Oriented Companies

Given the vast experience of the firm’s staff in the field of non-profit organizations and the third sector, the firm has a unique expertise in the ongoing legal support of non-profit organizations, endowments and public benefit companies (and their management), starting from their foundation phase, including providing legal advice on the appropriate form of incorporation, guidance and support in the context of resource development, fundraising, tenders , issues relating to the regulation of privacy protection, approval of proper management and S. 46, including providing legal opinions to non-profit organizations, representing associations in courts and before the regulatory authorities, and ending with issues of liquidation.

Over the years, the firm has represented and accompanied hundreds of associations, non-profit companies, endowments, Ottoman associations, local authorities, government and municipal companies, workers’ committees and cooperative associations. The firm’s clients include academic institutions, medical institutions, religious institutions such as yeshivas and synagogues, school chains and many others. Among its other services, the office performs proper inspections on associations for foreign investors who wish to donate to them and wish to verify that these are legal and kosher associations.

Providing Legal Protection to Associations

The primary principle of the office is to provide legal protection to non-profit organizations and third sector bodies, that is, to assist their activities according to law and promote their goals within the framework of the law and regulation, while ensuring that the members of the non-profit organization, both employees and volunteers, will not be harmed as a result of their activities in the non-profit organization.
Due to the fact that the firm is considered an authority in its field, the team of lawyers is considered to be particularly in demand for lectures and training courses at academic institutions, the Bar Association, etc.

Arbitration and Mediation

Another specialty of the firm is in providing mediation and arbitration services in all areas of civil law under the leadership of the Honorable District Judge (retired) Carmi Mosk, a former judge in the Jerusalem District Court. His 25-year experience on the bench is reflected in the field of mediation and arbitration, and facilitates an efficient and professional resolution of disputes in the fields of tort, personal status, commercial, corporations and other areas.

The Partners

Adv. Yaron Keidar, Partner

A lawyer since 1992. Between 2004-2008 he served as the registrar of associations and head of the Corporations Authority. As part of his position, Adv. Keidar established the Corporations Authority, coordinated under it the offices of the Registrar of Associations, the Registrar of Companies, the Registrar of Pledges, the Registrar of Endowments and the Registrar of Partnerships, shaped the image of the Corporations Authority and headed it. In addition, he served in a variety of administrative and legal positions in the public and private sectors, including legal advisor to a party in the Knesset, legal advisor to the General Worker Union, partner in a private law firm, favored member of the Antitrust Court, CEO of a pension fund, and more.
For a decade, Adv. Keidar also served as a consultant to the national “Round Table” (2008 to 2018) which brings together the government sector, the business sector and the third sector, as well as, as a consultant to round tables in the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy and the National Emergency Authority. Today he serves as a member of the Consulting Public Committee. Education-wise, he has a bachelor’s degree in law from Tel Aviv University, a master’s degree (with honors), in public law from Tel Aviv University and an additional master’s degree (with honors) in law from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Adv. Shuli Weiss, Partner

A lawyer since 2011. Served for about 17 years in various positions in associations and community and social organizations, including many years in senior management positions. Education-wise, he holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Sha’arei Mishpat College in Hod Hasharon, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education and humanities from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In addition, he has an MA in non-profit and community organization management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Adv. Karen Schwartz, Partner

A lawyer since 2001, an expert on associations and non-profits and served as the registrar of the associations, the Ottoman societies and public endowments until 2022. Prior to that she served as the head of legal assistance at the Ministry of Justice. In addition, she served as a board member at the Ministry of Development of the Negev and the Galilee, as a member of the national council of the Bar Association. During her tenure as registrar, she was a partner in the inter-sector roundtables in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently she is a member of the inter-sectoral committee in the Prime Minister Office and a member of the the sub-committee concerning the third sector.
In terms of her education, she has a master’s degree in public law from Tel Aviv University, a master’s degree in international law from Northwestern University in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Manchester. Adv. Schwartz lectures and conducts classes at several academic institutions, including the department for a master’s degree in non-profit management at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.