Menu

Terry Ona

Attorney-at-Law

Terrence (Terry) Ona is the founder of Apriles Counsel, where he advises nonprofit and professional organizations on governance, operational, and institutional matters.

He primarily counsels organizations based in Washington, DC and Chicago and has spent more than two decades working in-house with national organizations in both general counsel and chief operating officer roles, bringing an operational perspective to private practice.

His work frequently involves complex situations affecting organizational governance, credibility, leadership, and long-term stability. He regularly advises executives and boards through sensitive internal matters, ethical challenges, and situations involving conflict, accountability, and institutional risk.
Before launching Apriles Counsel full time, Terry served in senior in-house leadership roles across mission-driven organizations with national and international reach. His experience spans legal, operational, and strategic responsibilities, allowing him to advise organizations with a practical understanding of how decisions function beyond legal analysis alone.
Over the course of his career, Terry has also served as an adult literacy instructor, a firefighter/EMT, and a middle school soccer coach—experiences that provided a healthy reminder that not every important decision happens in a boardroom.

Client Perspectives

“Terry Ona understands the actual workings of governance—not just the intentions behind the words in governing documents. His presence brought steadiness and thoughtfulness to the AIA boardroom, helping the Board of Directors focus on what mattered and navigate difficult decisions with clarity and sound judgment.”

— Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA | 2014 President, American Institute of Architects

2014 President, American Institute of Architects

Selected Speaking & Publications

Over the course of his career, Terry has spoken and written on governance, ethics, employment, and organizational risk for professional and industry audiences.
  • Crisis Risk Mitigation in Associations — ASAE Great Ideas Conference
  • Governance and Best Practices — Global Health Council Board of Directors
  • “When to Call a Lawyer” — Associations Now
  • Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace — ASAE Finance, HR & Business Operations Conference
  • Your Employees and the Law: Views from Both Sides of the Fence — Nonprofit HR Conference
  • Hiring & Recruiting: Ethical Dilemmas Explored — ASAE Finance, HR & Business Operations Conference
  • Design Law & Architecture — World Intellectual Property Symposium
  • Reviewer/Author, Employment Discrimination Section

Apriles is derived from the Latin word for April—a season associated with renewal, growth, and the work that often precedes both. The name reflects an approach centered on thoughtful engagement, sound judgment, and long-term perspective.