Louisiana small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations are invited to apply to access free legal services as clients of the Russell J. Stutes Small Business and Community Development Clinic at LSU Law. The clinic is seeking clients who cannot reasonably afford the legal assistance they need.
Under the supervision of licensed faculty, upper-level LSU Law students will begin working with about one dozen small businesses and nonprofit clients in the fall semester that begins on Aug. 18. While students will not assist clients with litigation or disputes, they will be able to help with a wide range of legal issues, including:
- Entity counseling and formation
- Bylaws, LLC operating agreements, and corporate governance
- Tax exempt applications (Form 1023)
- State and federal filing and reporting responsibilities
- Employment law
- Contract drafting and review
- Terms of service and privacy policies
- Intellectual property (copyright and trademark)
- Regulation compliance
- Permitting and licensing
“Many Louisiana small businesses and nonprofits are at a marked disadvantage because they don’t have the resources to access the type of helpful legal assistance that our students will provide in the Small Business and Community Development Clinic,” said LSU Law Professor Jordan Engelhart, who directs the clinic. “This is a great opportunity for small businesses and nonprofits to start out on the right foot and address potential issues before they become costly problems. Through our students’ work in the clinic, we are hoping to help level the playing field.”
See the press release for additional information.
The application form can be completed here.
