Cheryl and Tom's Excellent Adventures in International Co-op Law

CPG Members Cheryl Markham and Thomas Beckett both studied abroad this summer, attending courses about cooperative formation and cooperative law in Europe. For those of us who couldn't make it to Croatia or Italy, this is a report-back on what they learned, and what they took away for U.S. practitioners. Cheryl and Tom will describe some features of international co-op statutes, to help U.S. practitioners consider potential changes to U.S. state co-op laws that could benefit cooperatives here.

Cheryl Markham has a solo practice in cooperative law, tenant representation, community ownership of land, fair housing, and related areas. She is also in the process of building a collective public interest law practice to provide legal services, counseling, and policy advocacy for and with cooperatives and other entities working in the social, solidarity, and sustainable economy. Ms. Markham has a wealth of experience as a legal aid attorney, providing civil legal services and policy advocacy for ten-plus years before working as a senior policy advisor for King County government in WA State for approximately 15 years to create innovative new policies and programs for equitable community development. Ms. Markham is a Fall 2024 Candidate for Master of Cooperative Management from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. She is also a member of CPG's membership circle.

Thomas Beckett has for much of his professional career worked as lawyer serving the needs of cooperatives, community nonprofits, and other small and startup businesses. He cofounded and is currently Executive Director of CAROLINA COMMON ENTERPRISE, a cooperative development center serving North Carolina. In this role he provides business & legal guidance to cooperatives throughout North Carolina and the South. Mr. Beckett has completed and is certified by the CooperationWorks! Art & Science of Cooperative Development training program. Mr. Beckett co-founded the Cooperative Professionals Guild and is currently a member of CPG's interim board of directors and CPG's conference planning circle.

CLE credit in California is pending.