What do students do in this clinic?
This clinic is tailored for Students who enjoy client interaction and a certain level of autonomy, as working with small businesses has a very lax structure. Students work under the supervision of the professor, a partner in a boutique corporate, intellectual property and civil litigation firm, representing individuals and small businesses on a variety of business matters. Client work can include entity selection and formation, contract drafting and review, trademark and copyright work, analyzing business disputes and other matters that businesses and entrepreneurs face daily. Additionally, students may be invited to take part in a pro bono clinic established by the professor’s firm for underserved entrepreneurs. The professor selects projects that students can take from beginning to end in one semester. Clients are from all walks of life.
FAQ
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What happens in the classroom component?
Students work together on the types of business problems described above and they provide weekly updates on clients’ casework. Classroom topics vary depending on the matters that students are handling each semester and there may be some guest lecturers who can address very specific business issues.
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What do students learn in this clinic?
Students gain experience in a wide range of client relations and business law, including interviewing and advising clients and helping them make business decisions. Students may develop basic transactional skills, including how to draft agreements and prepare filings to form for-profit entities, how to secure intellectual property rights and how to address many other issues that come up daily for businesses. Students may also learn how clients assess legal risks in the context of the clients’ other goals.
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When is this clinic offered?
Every fall and spring. -
How many credits?
Two -
Are students permitted or encouraged to take this clinic for additional semesters?
No, this is a one-semester clinic.
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Are there any required or recommended pre-requisites?
Business Organizations; Professional Responsibility
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Can students with full-time jobs take this clinic?
Yes. The classroom component is offered in the morning, to accommodate students with full-time work schedules. The work for clients is flexible.
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Can students who live outside the Twin Cities take this clinic?
Yes. It is possible to both attend the class and do the casework remotely.
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Who should take this clinic?
Students seeking a Business Law Certificate, students interested in business transactions and business litigation, students who want hands-on experience with clients, students interested in creative entrepreneurship, and students interested in providing legal services to clients from all walks of life.