Konstantin Oshchepkov
Konstantin forms, exempts and serves charities, churches, ministries, private foundations and other exempt organizations as corporate, tax counsel and outside general counsel. His practice helps nonprofits clarify, refine and pursue their missions domestically and around the world.
Biography
With a background in religious ministry and working for nonprofit organizations, Konstantin joined BLM&H in 2021 as an Associate in the Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organization practice. He forms and represents organizations, including Section 501(c)(3) organizations such as private foundations, public charities, educational institutions, churches, religious ministries and supporting organizations, and he give regular consultation to clients in a variety of areas affecting such organizations. Konstantin also advises other exempt organizations, particularly 501(c)(2), (c)(4), (c)(6) and (c)(7) organizations.
Konstantin grew up in Perm, Russia. After graduating from Evangelical Christian Seminary in Moscow, Konstantin worked for four years as a Project Coordinator for Agape Medical Center, a nonprofit humanitarian and medical aid organization providing services throughout Russia.
He then moved to Shanghai, China where he served for five years as an English as a Foreign Language teacher for the SMIC Private School. While in Shanghai, Konstantin studied Chinese at East China Normal University and received a Certificate of Chinese Language Proficiency by passing the State Commission of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK).
Konstantin then became a Billy Graham Scholar at Wheaton College and received his Masters of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with a focus on Community Development. After graduating with his Masters, Konstantin returned to Asia where he served as the Director of Community Outreach for a nonprofit organization which provides community outreach and services to disadvantaged groups.
In 2017, Konstantin started law school at Regent University School of Law where he received a Dean’s Academic Merit Scholarship, participated in the Honors Program and served as a Board Member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. While in law school, Konstantin clerked for the Supreme Court of Alabama, Chambers of Chief Justice Tom Parker and the Office of the Attorney General of Alabama, Civil Litigation Division. Immediately prior to joining BLM&H, Konstantin clerked for the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Chambers of Justice Phil Berger.
Konstantin is fluent in Russian and Mandarin Chinese.
Konstantin is married to Stephanie, whom he met in Shanghai while serving together in their local church. They enjoy hiking, leading worship and traveling.
Experience
Although recently starting the practice of law, Konstantin has already worked with multiple nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in corporate formation, reorganization and governance matters, contract drafting, and in reclassifying the exempt status of organizations to a more favorable or appropriate IRS subclassification. With the experience gained from multiple judicial clerkships during and following law school, Konstantin is also supporting a litigation team defending a nonprofit organization in class action litigation.
Publications, Presentations & Recognitions
The New York Revolution in Choice of Law: Does the Padula Approach Still Hold Water?, Westchester Bar Journal (New York), Volume 45, No. 1 (2020)
Billy Graham International Christian Leader Scholar, Wheaton College
Dean’s Academic Merit Scholarship and Honors Program, Regent University School of Law
Professional and Civic Activities
Konstantin is a member of the American Bar Association and the Christian Legal Society.