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J. Todd Chasteen, J.D., LL.M.
Senior Lecturing Fellow

J. Todd Chasteen, J.D., LL.M.

Bio

Todd Chasteen serves as vice president of public policy and general counsel for Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid in over 110 countries. Chasteen earned his BBA in Accounting from James Madison University, graduating magna cum laude, his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, graduating with honors, and his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida.

At Samaritan’s Purse, Chasteen has served in several capacities including vice president of administration, human resources; as well as general counsel, where he provided regulatory oversight in the areas of contracts, international law and registrations, nonprofit law, tax law, employment law, fundraising law, charitable gifts law, trademarks, copyrights, privacy law, and real property law.

At Samaritan’s Purse, he has also been involved in nonprofit reform initiatives on a national level, participating on the independent sector’s, panel on the nonprofit sector, Advisory Committee on Self-Regulation of the Charitable Sector and the Government Oversight and Self-Regulation Work Group making recommendations to Congress. Chasteen also participated on the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Panel of Legal Experts for the Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations, The Faith and Giving Coalition, and The Trust Coalition to educate Congress regarding nonprofit reform proposals. He also served on the Religious Hiring Rights workgroup furthering efforts to preserve hiring protections for faith-based organizations.

Chasteen served as an associate professor at the School of Law for Liberty University. He also presented on topics related to nonprofit regulatory landscape for the Christian Management Association, Christian Leadership Association, and the Ministry In-House Counsel Roundtable. He has held memberships in a range of professional organizations, including the Christian Legal Society, Christian Management Association, Association of Corporate Counsel, The Federalist Society, The Heritage Foundation, North Carolina Corporate Counsel Section, American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, The North Carolina State Bar, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Earlier in his career, Chasteen worked as a senior attorney advisor for the Honorable Lawrence Wright at the United States Tax Court, drafting tax court memorandum opinions and responses to motions. After leaving the tax court, he practiced nonprofit, corporate, tax and business law. While earning a Master of Laws after law school, he confirmed his passion for teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida, Warrington College of Business, teaching business law courses. He also served early on as a certified public accountant, licensed in Florida. Chasteen is admitted to practice in North Carolina and currently serves on the North Carolina State Board of Education.