What do students do in this clinic?
Work under the supervision of the professor, partners in a small, tech-forward firm, representing small business and non-profit clients on transactional matters. Client work can include entity selection and formation, contract drafting and review, or trademark and copyright work. The professor selected projects that students can take from beginning to end in one semester and focus on clients and communities underrepresented in traditional business law practice (e.g. minority-owned businesses, immigrant-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned or operated by members of the LGBT community).
FAQ
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What happens in the classroom component?
Group work on simulated practice problems, weekly updates on client casework, and guest lectures. Classroom topics vary depending on the matters that students are handling each semester.
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What do students learn in this clinic?
Students gain experience in a wide range of client relations, including interviewing, advising, and other communication skills relating to helping a client make business decisions. Students also develop basic transactional skills, including how to draft agreements and prepare the filings to form for-profit entities, non-profit entities, and secure intellectual property rights. Students learn how clients assess legal risks within the context of the client’s other goals.
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When is this clinic offered?
Every fall and spring. -
How many credits?
Students may take the clinic for 2 or 3 credits. -
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 and Professional Responsibility
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Can students with full-time jobs take this clinic?
Yes. The classroom component is sometimes offered in the daytime and sometimes offered in the evening 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 transactional or business litigation work, students who want hands-on experience with client-facing work, students interested in small tech-forward practice, and students interested in providing legal services to clients and communities in the justice gap.