NOTE: THIS IS A ONE SEMESTER CLINIC.
The Business Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic is a one-semester 3-credit learning experience for upper level students. Students learn about the transactional practice of business law in a weekly class, which also serves to guide and support students while they provide transaction-based legal assistance to small businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs. The clinic experience closely replicates the practice of business law.
Students work in pairs under the supervision of an experienced, licensed business law or corporate attorney on a wide variety of matters including:
- Choice of entity and entity formation;
- Nonprofit and social enterprise status;
- Ownership distribution, shareholder and member control agreements;
- Intellectual property protection, including copyrights, trademarks, licensing agreements;
- Contract drafting and review;
- Employment and independent contractor guidance;
- Review of commercial leases.
The classroom component of the course focuses on skills training, exposure to the various facets of a business law practice, engagement with guest speakers, and other hands-on learning experiences. Classroom work includes a review of transactional law, substantive legal content, working with clients, negotiation and
drafting, problem solving and communication styles, and professionalism.
What to expect when working on cases and with clients:
Students handle 2-3 client matters during the semester. The initial client meeting occurs in person in the Clinic office (Room 90, Subplaza). Additional communication typically occurs by telephone and email.
Clients find the Clinic in many ways, including from various referral sources such as: Carlson School of Management; Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD); Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA); gener8tor, Women Venture, Acara, and others.
NOTE: This course requires certification pursuant to the student practice rule and is open to JD students only.