Ryma Nasrallah

Partner and National Co-Leader, Charities and Not-For-Profit Law Group

Ottawa
[email protected]
613.369.4797  416.367.6657

Ryma regularly advises registered charities and non-profit organizations on the income tax implications of their transactions and activities, including revenue generating activities, gifting and receipting, fundraising activities, working with intermediaries both in Canada and internationally, and granting to non-qualified donees. Ryma is frequently involved in the establishment of charitable organizations and foundations, guiding them through their start-up phase and interactions with the Canada Revenue Agency and assisting during their ongoing existence and dissolution. She also advises clients on corporate governance matters and provincial laws that apply to charities, including the Charities Accounting Act (Ontario) and Trustee Act (Ontario), with respect to investments, endowments, and other related issues. She has experience advising on the complex income tax rules governing non-profit organizations and navigating the restrictions imposed by the Canada Revenue Agency. Ryma is often involved in complex transactions and multi-disciplinary legal projects at the firm, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, reorganizations, collaborations, integrations, joint ventures, and partnerships, in a broad range of industries and sectors.

Ryma is currently the Vice Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Charities and Not-for-Profit Section, a member of the Canada Revenue Agency Technical Issues Working Group and serves on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Charities and Not-for-Profit Section. Ryma is also a director of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation and works on multiple pro bono projects at the firm. 

She is also regularly involved in numerous tax-driven transactions, including corporate reorganizations involving closely held private companies, high-net-worth individuals and estate-planning transactions. She also works in the areas of tax dispute resolution and voluntary disclosures.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, County of Carleton Law Association

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Charities/Not-For-Profit Law)
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2023) of Chambers Canada – Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Charities/Non-profits (Nationwide - Canada))
    • Chambers/Non-profits: Up-and-coming lawyer Ryma Nasrallah advises a range of charities and non-profit organisations, including education institutions and healthcare support groups. Based in Ottawa, she provides support on tax and corporate matters. 
    • Charities/Non-profits: "She is an exceptional lawyer and has helped us over a number of hurdles in recent times.” 
    • Charities/Non-profits: "Ryma provides an excellent service."

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 2011
  • CPA Canada Corporate Reorganization Course, CPA Canada, 2018
  • CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course, CPA Canada, 2015
  • LLB, University of Ottawa, 2010
  • B.Comm., University of Ottawa, 2007