Overview
Victoria Bejarano Muirhead advises nonprofit organizations on a range of matters, including formation and tax exemption, governance and corporate matters, charitable giving and grantmaking, and state and federal regulatory compliance.
Victoria’s approach is informed by her own experience working in nonprofit development and administration. Before becoming an attorney, she worked in academic medical fundraising at Stanford University and Oregon Health and Science University Foundation, then later managed development at Innovation Law Lab. Victoria understands the unique issues nonprofit organizations face, and brings a practical, collaborative perspective to helping clients advance their missions while managing legal and operational risk.
Education
Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, Editor in Chief, Lewis & Clark Law Review; Business Law Certificate; Cornelius Honor Society
Stanford University, B.A., English with University Distinction; Stanford Debate Society
Admissions
Oregon
Washington
Languages
- Spanish
Experience
- Advises charitable and social welfare organizations on all stages in the lifecycle, from incorporation under state law to obtaining tax-exempt status from the IRS, to mergers and asset transfers, to ongoing compliance with state and federal law, to dissolution.
- Partners with board directors, trustees, and officers on governance matters, including bylaws and policy development.
- Counsels private foundations on statutory and regulatory requirements, including grantmaking and excise taxes on prohibited activities such as self-dealing.
- Represents clients in gift planning and administration matters, including modification of restricted funds and charitable trusts.
- Advises nonprofit organizations, particularly higher education institutions, on risk and compliance following the Supreme Court’s race-based admissions decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
- Works with individuals to execute complex charitable giving strategies, including the creation of charitable trusts and charitable remainder trusts.
Insights
Insights & Presentations
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“Built to Withstand: Legal Preparedness for Organizational Resilience” (presenter), National Scholarship Providers Association Annual Conference, October 20, 2026
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“Private Foundation Fundamentals” (presenter), Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable Membership Meeting, August 19, 2025
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“Nonprofit Tax Update” (presenter), Oregon State Bar Taxation Section, June 11, 2025
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“Scholarship Administration and Affirmative Action” (presenter), Washington Advancement & Foundation Leaders Winter Conference, February 13, 2025
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“Purpose Trusts: A Noncharitable Trust That Can Champion Charitable Causes” (presenter), Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable Annual Conference, September 19, 2024
Press Releases
Special Reports
Recognition
- Included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Nonprofit / Charities Law), 2026-present
- Lewis & Clark Law Review, Editor in Chief, 2021-2022
- Lewis & Clark Law School, Community Service Honors Award, 2019-2022
- ABA National Negotiation Competition, Quarterfinalist, 2021
- ABA Regional Negotiation Competition, Finalist, 2020 and 2021
Affiliations
Professional
- Lewis & Clark Law School, Negotiation Intensive Course, Adjunct Professor, 2026–present
Civic
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The Library Foundation, Trustee, 2024–present
- Janus Youth Programs, Board Member, 2023–present
- Oregon Public Broadcasting, Planned Giving Advisory Council, Member, 2022–present
- Stanford Association of Oregon, Board Member, 2018–present
- Rabbit Advocates, Volunteer, 2017–present