Moores Legal principal Murray Baird has been appointed assistant commissioner and general counsel to the soon-to-open Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC), which will launch in 1 October with headquarters in Melbourne.

The firm's principal Libby Klein will take up the leadership position in firm's practice. David Wells, who has been with the practice for 15 years remains at the helm of the firm.

“[Baird's] energy and enthusiasm for balancing his expertise in the law with his commitment to serving the charities, not-for-profits and philanthropists has been the driving force in the development of a new and growing area of legal service,” said Klein.

“The establishment of the ACNC, as a one-stop-shop regulator for the sector is a long-awaited, positive initiative and Moores Legal is proud that one of our own has been appointed.”

Baird has advised hundreds of charities, educational institutions and churches on business and corporate governance issues. He is a regular writer, speaker and is regularly called on to advise and comment on the impacts of legislative and policy changes that impact on the sector. He has taken leadership roles in organisations including schools, community housing, church and business organisations, and community boards.

“[Baird] literally wrote the book on business issues for the not-for-profit sector with another of our principals, Andrew Sudholz .. He has been a driving force in what has made us what we are today – leading law practice serving charities and not-for-profits in Australia via a dedicated practice group drawing on 12 expert lawyers,” said Klein.

Klein herself has expertise in governance, tax and structuring of not-for-profits has been applied to numerous publications. She currently works with clients across the not-for-profit spectrum – from philanthropic and benevolent funds to social enterprises and health, community and educational organisations.

Moores Legal is a Melbourne law practice servicing companies and businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals. The firm is the largest of its kind in Australia and was established to provide dedicated expertise and full legal service to the sector across a range of areas, recognising the special context of non-profit organisations in matters and issues including property, intellectual property, employment law and volunteering, tax, bequests and trusts, and governance.