Affordable Lawyers
Click on your state below to expand & browse affordable law resources in your area.
Alabama
University of Alabama School of Law
Community Development Law Clinic
The Community Development Law Clinic provides free legal assistance to individuals and organizations seeking to improve the economic, cultural, social and environmental conditions of underserved or disadvantaged communities in Alabama.
Alaska
None
Arizona
Arizona State University-Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Innovation Advancement Program
The Innovation Advancement Program (IAP) is an innovative program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law that pairs inventors, technology entrepreneurs, tech transfer professionals, and emerging technology companies with some of ASU’s brightest students in law, business, engineering, and the sciences. Multi-disciplinary student teams can undertake a wide array of legal and business planning services that help early stage ventures solidify their legal and business foundations, avoiding many of the mistakes and pitfalls often made when moving technology into the marketplace.
Healthcare Entrepreneurship Program
Law students interested in health law will be partnered with early-stage Arizona based businesses, to solve problems related to formation, IP issues, compliance and regulatory issues, contracts, leases and licenses.
Lisa Foundation Patent Law Clinic
Student lawyers work with independent inventors and start-up companies to draft and prosecute patent applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office under the supervision of licensed patent attorneys.
Arizona Community Legal Assistance
305 S. 2nd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-258-3434
Intake: 602-258-3434 x2470
Counties Served: Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, Yuma
Type of Cases Accepted: Non-profit assistance, Community Economic Development
Arkansas
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) School of Law
The Transactional Clinic works with non-profits organizations in the State of Arkansas. Most of our clients come from the Northwest Arkansas area, but we are open to helping others in the state, provided they understand their designated representatives may have to travel to meet with us in our offices as required. Organizations that already have non-profit status and incorporation but need to make adjustments are also welcome. Those organizations that have in-house counsel or that have budgeted for legal services are ineligible for services.
California
California Western School of Law
Access to Law Initiative attorneys provide affordable and pro bono legal services in many areas of law including:
- Bankruptcy and Business Transactions
- Civil Litigation
- Consumer Law
- Criminal Defense
- Elder Law and Veterans Benefits
- Employment and Labor
- Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
- Family Law
- Homelessness and Housing
- Immigration
- Nonprofit and Small Business
- Personal Injury
- Real Estate
New Media Rights, an independently funded program of California Western School of Law, is a non-profit program that provides legal services, education, and advocacy for Internet users and creators.
The Trademark Clinic at California Western School of Law provides free legal services for individuals and small businesses wishing to obtain a federal trademark or service mark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Chapman University School of Law
Under the supervision of the faculty, participating students set up corporations or LLCs, file for copyrights, and draft all production-related contracts and documents including crew, actors, and locations agreements for real clients.
Pepperdine University School of Law
The Palmer Center Micro-Enterprise Program was established to provide microenterprise training to poor individuals in downtown Los Angeles. Dedicated at Dr. Yunus’ 2007 speech on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, the program was launched in Fall 2010. The pilot group consisted of 16 individuals, selected from the residents of the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission.
Participants in the Micro-Enterprise Program attend a 24 week training session, during which they learn the basic principles of financial management, business planning, and accountability. These sessions are taught by faculty and Pepperdine alumni.
Santa Clara Law School
The Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic (“ELC”) at Santa Clara University services the active local startup community by delivering quality legal services to entrepreneurs through the use of second-and third- year law students.
Stanford Law School
Juelsgaard Intellectual Property and Innovation Clinic
The clinic’s core mission is to foster innovation by advancing a regulatory climate that is appropriately sensitive to the ways in which law — whether through litigation, legislation, or regulation — can serve to promote (or frustrate) the inventiveness, creativity, and entrepreneurship that provide the real engine for economic growth.
Organizations and Transactions Clinic
The Organizations and Transactions Clinic of the Mills Legal Clinic at Stanford Law School provides free corporate legal services to established Northern California nonprofit organizations. Our students focus on providing practical and context-aware support to senior leaders. We are not an internship program; instead, we operate as a law firm and an outside professional services provider.
University of California-Hastings College of the Law
Community Economic Development Clinic
In the CED Clinic, students provide legal counsel to neighborhood-based groups, citywide advocacy organizations, and local political officials on a broad range of community development, land use, and policy issues impacting the Tenderloin, Mid-Market and other low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in San Francisco. Projects vary, but typically involve advocacy, counsel, and factual development related to proposed land use developments, to ensuring that Tenderloin and Mid-Market residents benefit from new economic initiatives, and to participating in City and State policymaking around development issues. The Clinic focuses on the intersection of law, policy, and politics and reveals the full complexity and institutional infrastructure of the Tenderloin and Mid-Market community.
The BioTech Startup Clinic is one of the UC Hastings Innovation Law Clinics. This clinic brings law students into the Bay Area bioscience startup community by having students work on intellectual property issues, particularly “Freedom to Operate” research issues, under the supervision of experienced patent lawyers in the field. Our students have worked with Arnold & Porter, Fenwick & West, Pillsbury Winthrop, Kilpatrick Townsend, Morrison & Forster, Wilson Sonsini, and Womble Carlyle to deliver legal services to our biotechnology clients. This clinic accepts clients from one partner incubator: The Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3). The Clinic is open to 2L and 3L students who have a graduate or undergraduate science degree. Students must have taken the IP Survey Course, Patent Law, the first year IP elective, or have had sufficient experience.
The Technology Startup Clinic is one of the UC Hastings Innovation Law Clinics. This clinic brings law students into the Bay Area startup community by having students work on real startup company issues under the supervision of experienced lawyers in the field. Currently, our students are working with Pillsbury Winthrop, Wilson Sonsini, Orrick, Herrington, DLA Piper and Womble Carlyle to deliver legal services to our technology clients. To ensure that we reach underserved clients the clinic only accepts legal projects through our partner incubators: Hackers and Founders, Black Founders, Women 2.0 and Girls in Tech. These incubators perform the initial screening that allows us to select legal work that is appropriate for our teaching purposes. Any business entity that wishes to seek the clinic’s services should contact one of our partner incubators.
Social Enterprise & Economic Empowerment Clinic
Students in the Social Enterprise & Economic Empowerment Clinic serve as outside counsel for social enterprises, nonprofit organizations and small businesses on corporate and transactional matters. Students advise their clients on a variety of corporate governance, compliance, transactional, and operational matters. Through their client work, students gain experience as business attorneys and develop transactional lawyering skills such as strategic planning, project management, client interviewing and counseling, legal research and analysis, contract drafting, and cross-cultural competencies. Students work closely with their clients to understand their organizational model, industry, and social impact goals to then provide counsel customized to the client’s particular corporate needs. Students are encouraged to grapple with and develop their own perspectives about how lawyers can best participate in the growing social enterprise sector and how transactional law can advance issues of economic and social justice.
University of San Diego School of Law
Through hands-on opportunities, students in the Entrepreneurship Clinic provide pro bono legal services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their small businesses. The Entrepreneurship Clinic does not engage in litigation-related services; instead, it focuses on advising clients on legal matters relating to starting their business and assisting in drafting and filing necessary documents. Such work includes: determining the appropriate choice of business entity, assistance in obtaining necessary permits and licenses, advising on employment and independent contractor issues, drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and leases, and assisting with the establishment of tax-exempt organizations.
University of San Francisco School of Law
Entrepreneurial Ventures Legal Services Project
Through our Entrepreneurial Ventures Legal Services Project, companies receive the services of four separate law clinics that are set up to reflect the expertise of a multifaceted law firm. Students work with professors, experienced practitioners, and knowledgeable alumni in their work on behalf of entrepreneurs.
Internet and Intellectual Property Justice Clinic
The USF School of Law Internet and Intellectual Property Justice Clinic was founded in 2000 by Professor Robert Talbot to provide legal services related to a variety of intellectual property issues while giving students hands-on experience in this critical and expanding area of the law.
University of Southern California-Gould School of Law
Intellectual Property & Technology Law Clinic
The Clinic represents entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and policymakers who are struggling with the challenges presented by the clash of technology with law and policy.
The USC Law Small Business Clinic (SBC) provides basic corporate legal assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations that cannot afford to pay market rates for legal services. The purpose of the SBC is to give students hands-on experience handling transactional legal problems while providing assistance to small business owners in the greater Los Angeles area. The SBC provides an opportunity for these businesses to implement legal protections and business structures available within our legal system and to obtain guidance in complying with a variety of legal requirements, even though many of these businesses are not able to afford the high costs of business legal services.
Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights
Legal Services For Entrepreneurs
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs is an economic justice and community empowerment project of the Lawyers’ Committee. LSE was founded in 1997 by attorneys who recognized that a small business’s long-term viability may be jeopardized when it forgoes legal assistance on fundamental business matters. LSE provides free transactional legal services to low-income individuals who want to start or develop businesses, businesses committed to investing in economically distressed communities, including hiring people with arrest and conviction records, and mom and pop shops located in areas where gentrification is a force for displacement.
Colorado
University of Colorado Law School
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC) provides law students with practical experience in transactional law while offering valuable legal services without charge to local startups lacking access investor resources. The Clinic’s clients include graduate students, professors, local entrepreneurs, and startup companies. Third-year Colorado Law students staff the Clinic during the academic year under the joint supervision of a full-time clinician and experienced attorneys from top law firms in Boulder and Denver. Students interact directly with clients to provide legal advice on a wide range of business-law issues including entity formation, intellectual property, employment, and contracts. By assisting entrepreneurs when they need help the most, the ELC provides Colorado Law students hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the community.
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Community Economic Development Clinic
The Community Economic Development Clinic (CED Clinic) at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law provides free transactional legal services to small businesses, under-resourced entrepreneurs, community-based enterprises and nonprofit organizations. Under the supervision of
licensed attorneys, student attorneys assist clients with business law and community development legal needs. The clinic is designed to support grassroots organizations and promote community-based neighborhood transformations such as revitalization, economic development, and small business growth.
CoLA’s mission is to contribute to the development and preservation of the cultural community in Colorado by providing volunteer legal services, technical expertise and educational programs to individual artists, nonprofit arts organizations, other arts constituents and to the general public.
The Artists’ And Inventors’ Legal Clinic
The Artists’ and Inventors’ Legal Clinic provides pro bono and sliding scale fee legal services in all areas of artistic and inventive endeavor: movies, music, publishing, visual arts, fashion, industrial designs, prototyping, testing, financing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution. We help individuals and businesses with contracts, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, publicity rights, privacy concerns, regulatory compliance and many other legal issues.
Denver County Metropolitan Lawyer Referral Service, Inc.
From personal injury to bankruptcy, divorce to real estate, business law to criminal defense…MLRS has attorneys with expertise in most every area of law. Dedicated to public service, we are a Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau accredited business with an A+ rating.
El Paso County Bar Association LRS
Our service is your first stop in finding quality representation. We screen our member attorneys to ensure that you are referred to a qualified attorney with substantial experience and a clean disciplinary record. We assist people everyday with their legal problems and help point them in the right direction. We have attorneys who specialize in many areas of law including family, civil, business, estates and probate, bankruptcy and employment.
Connecticut
University of Connecticut School of Law
Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship Law Clinic
Since the Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic opened its doors in January 2007, it has assisted (or is presently assisting) more than 250 clients, hailing from all eight counties in Connecticut and representing more than 85 different cities and towns. Under the guidance of supervising attorneys, the Clinic’s students are involved in various aspects of client matters, including but not limited to, conducting interviews, performing legal research, drafting documents, and interacting with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office. The Clinic has advised clients regarding numerous legal issues, including patent searches and applications; trademark clearances and applications; copyright and trademark licensing; and nondisclosure, consulting, and employee agreements.
Yale Law School
Community Development Financial Institutions
The CDFI clinic supports a local foundation in starting a community development bank in New Haven, acting as a consultant to the foundation and bank management on both legal and business matters. More broadly, this multidisciplinary clinic focuses on issues of financial access and financial inclusion as they relate to poverty alleviation and economic development.
Nonprofit Organizations Clinic
The Nonprofit Organizations Clinic provides legal assistance to nonprofit organizations that cannot afford to retain private counsel. It offers 1 or 2 units of credit to students interested in working with nonprofit organizations, nascent and established, which require help in the process of organization and incorporation, in obtaining tax exemption, and solving related issues—organizations that cannot afford to retain private counsel. The class meets as a group five or six times during the term.
If you are an organization looking to obtain nonprofit status but which lacks the resources to hire a private attorney, please contact Leslie Couvillion, clinic student director, to discuss how the Nonprofit Clinic may be able to help your organization.
Type of Cases Accepted: Business transactional services for nonprofit charities, including (1) corporate structure and governance; (2) regulatory compliance (e.g., state and federal registration, annual reporting, charitable solicitation, fundraising, lobbying); (3) employment CED.
Delaware
University of Delaware
Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships
The Small Business Development Technology Center (SBTDC) offers a wide range of services for entrepreneurs interested in starting a high-tech company; either by licensing University IP or by using their own technology. An advisor can help assess start-up feasibility by working with you to answer a number of strategic questions, which may ultimately impact your start-ups likelihood of success.
District of Columbia/Washington DC
American Law School-Washington College of Law
Community and Economic Development Law Clinic
Our clients are non-profits, small business owners, tenants’ associations, and other groups who hold the line in under-served communities, and whose concerns must be given priority if community residents are not to be displaced by locally sourced juice bars and designer lofts. Our students work with clients to determine the appropriate business entity for their mission and needs, to execute and file corporate documents and applications for state and federal tax exemptions, to apply for grants, to negotiate contracts and memoranda of understanding, and to advocate before agencies and legislatures.
Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic
The Clinic represents individual creators and users of intellectual property, small businesses and communities of rights-holders and consumers, not-for-profit institution and associations, and other entities – all without fee. We will consider any and all cases and matters on behalf of clients who require quality intellectual property representation that they are unable to obtain in the general market for legal services.
Georgetown University Law Center
Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Clinic
The Social Enterprise & Nonprofit Law Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center offers free corporate and transactional legal services to social enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and select small businesses in Washington, D.C. Through the Clinic, law students learn to translate theory into practice by engaging in the supervised practice of law for educational credit. The Clinic’s goals are consistent with Georgetown University’s long tradition of public service.
George Washington School of Law
Small Business & Community Economic Development Clinic
The Small Business and Community Economic Development Clinic provides legal assistance to small businesses, social enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and artists. Under faculty supervision, students interview, advise, counsel and represent entrepreneurs and businesses and assist nonprofit organizations committed to improving the welfare of individuals and communities. Specific cases may involve drafting articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, operating agreements, or partnership agreements; researching local licensing requirements and zoning laws; reviewing and drafting contracts and leases; preparing applications for federal tax exemption; advising and counseling business founders and corporate boards; and advising clients on basic intellectual property issues, tax matters, and related legal issues.
Howard University School of Law
Intellectual Property and Trademark Clinic
The Intellectual Property & Trademark Clinic provides a wide variety of IP-related legal assistance; however, the Clinic does not represent clients in court or before administrative boards, such as the TTAB. Additionally, the Clinic cannot file international applications, such as under the Madrid protocol.
University of the District of Columbia-David A. Clarke School of Law
If you are seeking legal assistance, please contact Jordana Arias, Clinic Paralegal, at (202) 274-5073.
CPBO administers a number of initiatives that enhance, promote, and transform the pro bono efforts of in-house lawyers, legal departments, and ACC chapters.
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Community & Economic Development Pro Bono Project
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program established the Community Economic Development (CED) Pro Bono Project in 1998 to provide a vehicle for corporate, transactional, and business lawyers seeking nonlitigation pro bono assignments. The project is designed to deliver critically needed legal services to organizations operating in and serving low–income and distressed communities in the District of Columbia.
Bar Association of the District of Columbia
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia provides the only Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) in the District of Columbia as a public service to the community and a service to its members. It provides an effective means for members of the general public to be referred to attorneys who are experienced in the area of law in which they need assistance. Membership in the Lawyer Referral Service panel is open to all active members of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia.
Florida
Florida International University College of Law
The Clinic provides assistance with matters such as business entity formation, contracts (of all kinds), non-profit corporation formation, tax advice, intellectual property registration (copyrights & trademarks), and leases.
Legal Aid of Broward County Mission United Pro Bono Project
Phone: 954-4-UNITED (954-486-4833)
Type of Cases Accepted: Family Law, Housing, Benefits, Real Estate and Business Transactional Matters, Probate/Wills/Estate, Planning/Advance Directives
Georgia
Emory Law School
Technological Innovation: Generating Economic Results (TI:GER) Program
TI:GER is an innovative partnership between two world-class institutions—Emory and Georgia Institute of Technology—that brings together graduate students in law, business, science, and engineering to work on start-up projects. The goal: transform highly promising research into economically viable products.
University of Georgia
Clients include entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations that cannot otherwise afford legal services. The clinic provides services related to such matters as entity formation, corporate governance, employment, and contracts.
Pro Bono Partnership Of Atlanta, Inc.
Since opening its doors ten years ago, PBPA has assigned and supported over 2,000 volunteer lawyers in aiding over 700 nonprofit clients. In 2014 alone, PBP-Atl provided free legal services valued at over $3.5 million to Atlanta-area nonprofits.
Hawaii
None
Idaho
University of Idaho School of Law
The goal of the Clinic is to provide models for economically and environmentally sustainable development in urban and rural Idaho.
Clinic clients thus far have typically been local governments in both urban and rural Idaho. In the future, clients may also include non-profit or business organizations involved in economic development.
Clients who are accepted by the SBLC are required to sign a formal engagement letter. The most common assignments involve the formation of an appropriate business entity, preparation and review of confidentiality and employment agreements, and review of commercial leases. We have recently added a trademark prosecution component to assist clients with filling out applications for their trademarks, and students will guide them through the prosecution process.
Idaho State Bar
The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is operated as a public service of the Idaho State Bar. All LRS attorneys are members in good standing with the Idaho State Bar with no pending public disciplinary complaints and the LRS attorneys carry Professional Liability Insurance. The LRS attorneys have agreed to provide their clients with an initial $35 half-hour office consultation fee. LRS attorneys handling Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation cases have agreed to a free consultation. After the initial half-hour, any further fees are to be negotiated between the lawyer and client. The Idaho State Bar does not charge the public for these referrals and receives no money from the attorneys for the referrals. All attorneys listed have paid a fee to participate in the LRS. Not all Idaho State Bar attorneys are members of the LRS service.
Illinois
Chicago-Kent College of Law
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
We are a transactional legal service provider, rendering services to client’s below-market rate and at a project based flat fee whenever possible. We are knowledgeable in handling business contracts, entity formation, employment matters, intellectual property protection, raising capital strategies, and Internet-Related legal issues.
DePaul University College of Law
Technology/Intellectual Property Clinic
The Technology/Intellectual Property Clinic (TIP Clinic®) is one of the first law school clinical programs to provide transactional services exclusively in the areas of patent, trademark and copyright law to clients who cannot afford to pay private counsel for these services. The clinic is a natural extension of the College of Law’s IP/IT program, and its mission is “Protecting the Creative Works of Creative Minds®.” Clients, who are referred to the clinic by attorneys and by former clinic clients, include a wide range of entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, authors and inventors who need assistance in protecting their creations and businesses.
John Marshall Law School
We offer inventors assistance on all patent work that can be done by a person licensed by the USPTO, including patent applications, responding to office actions, and all else, even appeals. No work requiring a law license—such as litigation and licensing—is included. Work done by the IP Patent Clinic is free, but inventors must pay any out-of-pocket costs to third parties, including searching costs, drawing costs, filing costs, and similar costs.
Business Enterprise Law Clinic
Legal Services for Businesses:
- The choice of entity for your business, including an analysis of the tax and non-tax consequences;
- The structure of the entity, focusing on three areas: ownership, control and financing;
- Employment issues, including the protection of confidential and proprietary information and contracts with key employees;
- The use of form documents and the implications of contractual terms and provisions;
- The structure of contractual and other relationships with third parties;
- Regular, routine business transactions that arise in the day-to-day operation of a business or not-for-profit organization;
- Financing the growth of a business;
- Planning for the future, including succession planning.
The Trademark Clinic assists individuals and businesses in determining the protectable nature of their selected marks, and aid them in securing federal trademark protections for the marks, symbols and logos that represent their businesses. Specific services offered include conducting federal trademark and common law knock-out searches, opinion letters, drafting and filing associated trademark applications, responding to office actions (in appropriate cases), and other related activities. At the present time, the IP Trademark Clinic does not represent trademark owners in opposition or cancellation actions before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, nor does it provide representation in litigation or licensing work. Though services provided by the IP Trademark Clinic are free, mark owners must pay any out-of-pocket expenses to third parties, such as professional search fees and government filing fees.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Center for Business and Corporate Governance Law
The BLC is committed to providing clients with affordable quality legal services in keeping with Loyola’s commitment to serving the community. Legal services are provided to not for profit organizations on a pro bono basis.
Northwestern University School of Law
The Entrepreneurship Law Center charges fees for services which vary based on the time and complexity of work involved. Except in the case of nonprofits with limited budgets, a $500 fee is charged for the initial client meeting. If the client requests additional services from the Center, the initial fee will be credited toward additional fees. The Center bills on a project basis, rather than on an hourly basis. All incidental related expenses (e.g. filing fees, etc.) are the responsibility of the client.
University of Chicago Institute for Justice
The IJ Clinic provides free legal representation for lower-income entrepreneurs in Chicago. We are not a walk-in service or help desk for urgent questions. Rather, we focus on building long-term relationships with a small group of clients. University of Chicago law students advise our clients under the guidance of IJ Clinic attorneys, so the Clinic is also a training ground for future advocates for entrepreneurs.
University of Illinois College of Law
The Community Preservation Clinic offers a community-based, multi-faceted approach to preserving housing and communities. Projects include advocating for borrowers in foreclosure mediation, representing tenants in foreclosed properties, and developing systemic strategies to address community blight.
The Law Project Of Chicago
Lawyers’ Committee For Civil Rights Under Law
The Law Project strengthens Chicago area communities by providing high-quality, pro bono legal services to community based nonprofits, small businesses and first-time homebuyers. In fulfilling this mission, The Law Project offers transactional attorneys meaningful pro bono opportunities.
In addition to our direct legal services programs, The Law Project also provides regular workshops and trainings on legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations, small businesses entrepreneurs, and first time home buyers.
Illinois State Bar Association
The ISBA’s Lawyer Referral Service offers an affordable way to speak with an attorney to learn more about your options.
Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Lawyers for the Creative Arts provides pro bono legal assistance to clients in all areas of art, culture, media, and entertainment, including the visual, literary, and performing arts. Our clients are individuals, for-profit, and not-for-profit groups. We offer direct counseling and maintain a referral program to hundreds of attorneys in the Chicago area. We also serve as an educational resource for the arts and address phone and email questions.
Indiana
Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Bloomington)
Elmore Entrepreneurship Law Clinic
In many ways, the clinic operates as a small, business-focused law firm that provides business planning and legal services. In this setting, legal issues include:
- Financial planning
- Organization
- Licenses
- Agreements
- Regulatory and zoning compliance
- Intellectual property matters
Types of services: entity formation; draft and negotiate contracts; provide basic tax advice;assist with funding and financing projects;advise on governance, communications and compliance matters; provide general corporate support to the clinic’s clients; and provide other transactional legal assistance as needed.
University of Notre Dame School of Law
In the Community Development Clinic, advanced law students, certified by the State of Indiana to practice law as legal interns, offer free non-litigation legal services to nonprofits and small businesses. Working under the supervision of Prof. Jim Kelly at the Notre Dame Clinical Law Center, the student interns advise, prepare documents and represent clients regarding a range of business, nonprofit and real estate law matters.
Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic
The Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic offers assistance to local businesses and entrepreneurs with counsel on intellectual property related issues. Students work under the close supervision of the clinic Director, Jodi Clifford, a patent attorney who has substantial private practice experience.
Indianapolis Bar Association
Referrals can currently be made over the phone Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (317) 269-2222 or online using the form below.
Iowa
Drake University Law School
Drake Law students will work on business formation, non-profit IRS filings, contract review, financing agreements, lease agreements, licensing, and many other types of legal work involved in a business law practice. Students will have an opportunity to hone negotiation, interviewing, counseling and drafting skills through work with real clients.
Iowa State Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Kansas
Washburn University School of Law
Small Business & Nonprofit Transactional Law Clinic
The Transactional Clinic provides a wide variety of legal assistance, but does not assist businesses or organizations with litigation.
Mid-America Arts Resources Legal Information Project
Phone: 785-227-2321
Type of Cases Accepted: Wills, Copyright, Contracts, Taxes, Non-Profit Agencies, Community Economic Development
Kentucky
Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Small Business and Nonprofit Law Clinic
The Small Business & Nonprofit Law Clinic, in its fifth year, provides legal services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit entities in the local community. In 2013-14, the clinic represented 53 clients in Ohio and Kentucky and provided over 2,800 hours of free legal service to those clients.
Fayette County Bar Association
Central Kentucky Lawyer Referral Service
The Central Kentucky Lawyer Referral Service is a non-profit public service of the Fayette County Bar Association. The program was designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate legal representation is discouraged by a lack of experience with the legal system, insufficient information about the type of services needed and fear of the potential costs of seeking an attorney.
Louisiana
None
Maine
Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
To provide access to effective legal counsel for artists and organizations with limited financial resources, to educate broadly on arts-related business and legal issues, to offer mediation services to facilitate non-litigious dispute resolution, to generally support artists and to foster cooperative relationships between the artistic and legal communities.
Maine State Bar Association
Our business is helping you find the right lawyer for your specific situation, whatever that situation is. Our members practice in almost every area of law, from adoptions to zoning board issues, and everything in between.
Maryland
University of Baltimore School of Law
What we do: We advise on a range of business law, nonprofit and legislative matters. For example, we help clients structure and form nonprofit organizations, corporations, partnerships and LLCs; counsel boards and staff about their legal duties and best practices in running a nonprofit or small business; help organizations apply for tax exemption or 501(c)(3) status; draft and review contracts; and advise clients on what they can and can’t do under the law, or under a contract, grant or other legal paperwork. The clinic also provides trainings for groups on specific areas of the law and, when it’s called for, advocates for changes in the law itself.
University of Maryland School of Law
Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center
The Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center was established in 2002 to educate law students, entrepreneurs, and the community about the legal aspects of intellectual property. As part of its mission, the MIPLRC also provides free legal services on intellectual property and related matters to emerging technology companies and explores relevant legal, ethical and policy issues in the high technology and intellectual property areas.
Community Law Center
The Pro Bono Program matches volunteer lawyers with community associations and nonprofit organizations throughout Maryland.
The Lawyers Clearinghouse
190 West Ostend Street 201
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-837-0755
Case Types: Community Economic Development, Employment, Real Estate, Wills
Other Case Types: Provide legal services to nonprofit organizations.
Case Restrictions: Must be members of Maryland non-profits
Bar Association Of Baltimore City
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law.
Massachusetts
Boston College Law School
Services for small businesses and entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and first-time home buyers are free for eligible clients in greater Boston.
Harvard Law School
The mission of the Community Enterprise Project is to participate in facilitating community economic development* in traditionally low opportunity communities in Greater Boston, operating under the belief that lack of access to legal services should never be an impediment to a community seeking to participate or have a voice in its own development. The Community Enterprise Project (CEP) works to stimulate business development, increase access to capital, promote job growth, and enable sustainable affordable home ownership.
The Transactional Law Clinics’ Recording Artists Project provides legal assistance to musicians, performers, artists, independent record labels, production companies, songwriters, film companies, artist managers and other arts and entertainment entrepreneurs and firms.
Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations
The Transactional Law Clinics provide legal services and representation to entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Northeastern University School of Law
Supervised by Professor Peter Sessa, students help clients with a wide range of business-related needs.
Suffolk University School of Law
Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship Clinic
Suffolk Law’s Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship Clinic provides pro bono legal assistance on an extensive range of intellectual property and business law issues. Clients include entrepreneurs, nonprofits, inventors, artists, authors, filmmakers, designers and musicians.
University of Massachusetts School of Law-Dartmouth
Services include: Drafting corporate documents, preparing state and federal filings, conducting legal audits, researching legal issues, reviewing contracts.
Western New England University School of Law
The Small Business Clinic provides legal services to local small businesses and microenterprises. The clients are generally businesses that would not have access to legal services due to limited resources. The businesses are usually owned by one or two individuals and have anywhere from zero to five employees.
Matches Massachusetts nonprofits with pro bono lawyers and hosts legal workshops for nonprofits.
Massachusetts Bar Association
Since its inception in 1974, the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service has helped more than 500,000 people find the right attorney, with the knowledge they need.
National Lawyers Guild
The NLG Lawyer Referral Service is a project of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, an organization dedicated to using law for social justice.
Michigan
University of Michigan Law School
Community and Economic Development Clinic
The Community and Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) is dedicated to promoting vibrant, diverse, and sustainable communities by providing transactional legal services to nonprofit and community-based organizations, and social and creative enterprises. The CEDC was founded in 1991 and was most recently known as the Urban Communities Clinic. We provide creative solutions to the transactional needs of clients in our mission to promote community and economic development in Detroit and other underserved urban areas of the region.
THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLINIC, part of the Zell Entrepreneurship and Law (ZEAL) Program, is a clinical law program focusing on advising U-M student entrepreneurial ventures. The clinic provides law students with unique, real-world experience in representing early-stage ventures while offering valuable legal services to the University entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Wayne State University School of Law
Small Business Enterprises and Nonprofit Corporations Clinic
Wayne State University Law School’s Business and Community Law Clinic provides free legal services to for-profit small businesses and start-ups. Services are provided by second- and third-year law students under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys. The clinic can assist you with virtually any transactional matter.
The mission of Michigan Community Resources is to support and empower nonprofit community based organizations working in low-income communities, with an emphasis on community and economic development, by providing pro bono legal services and technical assistance.
Minnesota
Hamline University School of Law
The Community Development Clinic addresses the challenging issues of neighborhood revitalization, equitable development, and community economic development using legal skills, reflective thinking, and creative problem-solving.
Provides legal advice to eligible small business clients referred by community organizations.
Represents eligible clients in a broad array of IP matters, including filing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications before the USPTO, policy-making, and educating the business and arts communities on the essentials of IP protection.
University of Minnesota Law School
The Business Law Clinic does not take clients without a referral from one of its partners—the Metropolitan Economic Development Association, the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, the Small Business Administration Veterans Services Program, the Carlson School of Management‘s Business Hatchery and Entrepreneurship in Action classes, and other entities internal to the University of Minnesota.
William Mitchell College of Law
Students work with practicing business and corporate lawyers to provide legal advice to eligible small business clients referred by community organizations.
Students work with individuals, nonprofits, or community groups on issues involving neighborhood revitalization, fair housing, affordable housing, or community economic development.
Nationally and internationally recognized faculty members bridge the gap between legal theory and practice, providing students opportunities to develop practical intellectual property law skills in a variety of specialized areas.
Mississippi
University of Mississippi School of Law
Students assist low-income entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations to foster economic development, increase access to capital, promote job growth in the Mississippi Delta.
Missouri
St. Louis University School of Law
Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic
Students serve as the primary counsel to clients on transactional matters such as business and nonprofit structuring and formation, operational issues, contract drafting and review, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, real estate and legal research.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic
Entrepreneurial Legal Clinic Services delivers legal advice and facilitate the delivery of professional business planning to owners of small businesses – both existing and start-ups — who cannot afford the market rates for such services. UMKC faculty will supervise law students as they provide legal and professional services to qualified clients.
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
Intellectual Property and Nonprofit Organizations Clinic
The Entrepreneurship & Intellectual Property (EIP) Clinic offers business and transactional legal advice and services to new and emerging nonprofit and qualifying for-profit organizations.
Volunteer Attorney Project (VAP)
Phone: 816-421-8020
Type of Cases Accepted: Bankruptcy, Consumer, Education, Employment Law, Housing, Wills, Federal and local tax disputes, incorporating non-profits, and guardianships for minors, Torts, Real Estate, Health, Domestic Violence, Dissolution, Custody, AIDS/HIV
Montana
None
Nebraska
Creighton Law School
Community Economic Development Clinic
You may be eligible for free legal services through the CED Clinic if you’re a micro-entrepreneur or a community group in the state of Nebraska and cannot afford or access legal services. To apply, call 402.280.3068 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
University of Nebraska Law School
The Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law is a student-based clinical program designed to provide representation and counsel to startup business clients on a variety of early-stage legal issues. Under supervision of clinical faculty, students participating in the Clinic will interact directly with clients to provide a wide range of business law issues. By assisting entrepreneurs when they need help the most, the Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic provides Nebraska Law students hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the Nebraska business community.
Omaha Bar Association
Established in 1962, the Omaha Lawyer Referral Service is a non-profit public service of the Omaha Bar Association. The service refers people to private practicing attorneys in Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, and Washington counties. All Lawyer Referral Service attorneys are in good standing to practice law in Nebraska.
Nevada
Drinkwater Law Offices offers various services for developing, growing and established businesses, including incorporation, corporate/business law and employment law. The Firm also offers services related to intellectual property, including, copyrights, trademarks and licensing agreements.
Leah Martin Law, represents clients throughout southern Nevada, including Clark County and Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Anthem and Boulder City.
New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire School of Law
Intellectual Property and Transaction Clinic
This clinic regularly accepts referrals from the New Hampshire Chapter of Lawyers for the Arts. Clinic clients include authors, artists, musicians, publishers, and individuals operating small businesses; or nonprofit organizations with issues pertaining to copyright and trademark registration and protection, licensing, small business transactions, as well as assistance forming and managing nonprofit corporations. This clinic assists clients with both adversarial and non-adversarial matters.
New Hampshire Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
New Jersey
Rutgers School of Law
Community and Transactional Lawyering Clinic
The Community and Transactional Lawyering Clinic, first established as the Community Law Clinic in 1996, provides corporate and transactional legal services to New Jersey nonprofit corporations (specifically those corporations that provide services geared to the needs of lower-income people in the City of Newark and nearby urban areas), start-up for-profit businesses and microenterprises, charter schools, and individuals such as artists and inventors.
Intellectual Property Law Clinic
The Intellectual Property Law Clinic, first established as a component of the Community Law Clinic (now known as the Community Transactional Lawyering Clinic), provides intellectual property and entertainment law advice and assistance for non-profit entities, artists, inventors, start-up for-profit businesses and microenterprises, and charter schools. The clinic’s work includes intellectual property audits and licensing; copyright, trademark, trade secret and patent assistance. The Intellectual Property Law Clinic is principally a non-litigation clinic. The clinic was one of the first clinics selected to participate in the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (“USPTO”) Clinical Pilot Program. In that program clinic students are authorized to practice before the USPTO and have engaged in work such as drafting and filing trademark applications, responding to office actions, and drafting and filing briefs in appeals to the trademark trial and appeal board from final refusals.
Type of Cases Accepted: Business transactional services for nonprofit charities, including (1) corporate structure and governance; (2) regulatory compliance (e.g., state and federal registration, annual reporting, charitable solicitation, fundraising, lobbying); (3) employment Community Economic Development
New Mexico
University of New Mexico School of Law
Students provide legal services to businesses and individuals in areas such as estate planning, dispute resolution, taxation, financial crises, and working with the IRS.
Albuquerque Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
New York
Brooklyn Law School Brooklyn Law
The BLIP Clinic functions like a law firm that represents Internet, new media, communications and other tech entrepreneurs and innovators on both business and policy advocacy. Students work with clients to guide them through transactional, litigation, policy and other advocacy projects and interact and strategize with members of the entrepreneurial, technology and financial communities, as well as with legislators, regulators and other policymakers.
Brooklyn is going through a dramatic transformation. Industrial sites are adapting to rapid changes in the local and global economy and new residential and commercial projects are regularly springing up in many neighborhoods. The Community Development Clinic represents community organizations that wish to help shape the future of these neighborhoods. Students in the Clinic represent community development corporations, cultural institutions, affordable housing providers and small businesses that serve underrepresented communities. Typical activities for Clinic students include drafting business formation documents; assisting in the formation of joint ventures; negotiating the leasing, purchasing, financing and renovating of real estate; and drafting, analyzing and negotiating contracts. Students in the Clinic help these organizations develop, own and operate a range of service providers and facilities which may include housing for individuals with special needs cultural centers and recreational space. The Clinic’s goal is to ensure that important, but smaller, voices are heard as Brooklyn communities are rethought, rezoned and redeveloped.
City University of New York School of Law
Community & Economic Development Clinic
The Community and Economic Development (CED) Clinic provides legal support to community-based organizational clients that are creating vibrant neighborhood institutions and organizing for social and economic justice. Our work is grounded in the belief that social justice lawyering is most effective when it is strategically deployed to build the power of low-income and marginalized communities. The work of the Clinic is divided into three project areas: the Worker Cooperative Law Project, the Non-Profit Legal Support Project, and the Tenant Law and Organizing Project. See below for a brief description of each project.
Columbia Law School
Students in the Community Enterprise Clinic provide legal assistance to nonprofit organizations and small businesses that cannot pay market rates for legal services. The clinic is of special interest to those interested in community development, in learning to work with organizational clients, and in learning how to represent clients in transactions.
Cornell University-The Johnson School & Law School
BR Advisory connects start-up companies with appropriate, outstanding start-up lawyers. Cornell Law students are also involved in projects, handling a range of legal issues that start-ups encounter.
Fordham University School of Law
Samuelson-Glushko Intellectual Property and Information Law Clinic
This clinic can help clients with copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, information law and privacy issues. The clinic assists a wide range of clients, including musicians, performing artists, poets, non-profit organizations, small business, and others interested in protecting their creativity and personal information. People seeking assistance can contact the clinic by either sending an e-mail to IPILClinic@lsls.fordham.edu or by calling (212) 636-6934.
Community Economic Development Clinic
Fordham’s Community Economic Development Clinic represents groups fighting for social justice in low-income communities and low-wage workforces. As general counsel, the Clinic helps to sustain effective organizations and build institutions — childcare centers, health clinics, workers centers, co-ops– that empower participants while providing desperately needed services and opportunities. It supports local efforts to shape development, limit gentrification and win community benefits agreements. It helps small grassroots groups to incorporate, write bylaws and obtain tax exemption.
Hofstra University Law School
Community & Economic Development Clinic
Students in the Community and Economic Development Clinic provide transactional (non-litigation) assistance to nonprofits, community-based organizations and microenterprises in low-income communities in and around Nassau County, with a preference for clients that contribute to social and economic justice.
New York University School of Law
Business Law Transactions Clinic
The Clinic provides legal services to non-profit organizations, as well as to small businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises that may not have access to the traditional legal market and that operate in areas of concern to the public.
Urban Justice Center
CDP offers grassroots community groups training and assistance related to their formation and operation as not-for-profit organizations. These services are designed to build groups’ capacity for effective organizational management and to support their organizing and advocacy efforts in the communities they serve.
Syracuse University College of Law
Community Development Law Clinic
Founded in 1988, the Community Development Law Clinic provides representation for not-for-profit organizations and businesses involved in improving low-income communities.
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Small Business and Not-for-Profit Law Clinic
The Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Clinic is dedicated to assisting community groups and non-profit organizations. These entities provide a large and important array of services in any community: charitable, civic, health care, education, children’s programs, senior citizens’ services, advocacy for disadvantaged groups, recreational and entertainment projects and much more. Whether long-established or recently formed to address an emerging problem, both the organizations and their staff and board members need sound legal advice to function properly, fulfill legal requirements, and carry out their purposes.
Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
The Tech Startup Clinic is a transactional legal clinic providing a range of services to new technology-based companies in New York City. It exposes students to the myriad legal and business strategy challenges that startups face, and gives them hands-on experience with intellectual property, corporate, contract, tax, and labor and employment issues.
Type of Cases Accepted: Business transactional services for nonprofit charities, including (1) corporate structure and governance; (2) regulatory compliance (e.g., state and federal registration, annual reporting, charitable solicitation, fundraising, lobbying); (3) employment CED
Lawyers Alliance for New York is the leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations that are improving the quality of life in New York City neighborhoods.
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc.
Through community lawyering, NYLPI puts its legal, policy and community organizing expertise at the service of New York City communities and individuals. NYLPI’s partnership with the private bar strengthens its advocacy and connects community groups and non-profits with critical legal assistance.
New York State Bar Association
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law.
Albany County Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
North Carolina
Charlotte School of Law
Community Economic Development Clinic
Typical CED projects involve the development of affordable housing, the startup or expansion of local businesses, and the creation of community development financial institutions.
The Entrepreneurship Clinic at Charlotte Law School is a student-based program designed to assist small start-up companies with legal advice and advocacy to launch a business.
Duke University Law School
The Community Enterprise Clinic, which operates like a public interest law firm and is staffed by Duke Law students and faculty, provides its clients with the legal services needed to plan, develop and implement strategies that will build and protect wealth and assets, create jobs and promote sustainable development in low-wealth communities. The clinic represents clients that, regardless of their stage of development, engage in activities that have the potential to promote systemic change and significantly impact persistent poverty.
The Start-Up Ventures Clinic represents early-stage ventures on a variety of matters related to the start-up process, including formation, founder equity and vesting, shareholder agreements, intellectual property protection and licensing agreements, commercialization strategies, and other issues that new enterprises face in their start-up phases.
Elon University School of Law
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic (SBEC) is a law office which provides business-related legal services to entrepreneurs and small business owners who would not otherwise be able to afford legal representation.
North Carolina Central University School of Law
The Small Business Clinic partners with the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC), a business development organization with a satellite office located in the School of Business on North Carolina Central University’s campus. The Clinic clients consist of businesses that the SBTDC refers to the Clinic as well as self-referrals that meet our clinical requirements. Clients usually require assistance on a wide array of legal issues that may include regulatory requirements, employment law issues, tax matters, and other state and federal mandates. The students provide guidance on how the businesses may respond to an issue. Students also strive to help the client plan for future contingencies as they relate to the client’s business goals.
University of North Carolina School of Law
Community Development Law Clinic
The Community Development Law Clinic is a two-semester clinic in which third-year students provide corporate and transactional counsel to North Carolina nonprofit community development organizations. The CDL Clinic aims to help students develop skills in corporate and transactional law while serving the legal needs of under-resourced North Carolina communities.
Represents eligible non-profits, educational institutions and small businesses before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Wake Forest University
Community Law and Business Clinic
The CLBC uses the resources and expertise of Wake Forest University to enhance community development efforts in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County and the region.
North Carolina Lawyers For Entrepreneurs Assistance Project (NC LEAP)
NC LEAP provides services for eligible clients in the following areas: entity formation, contracts, general business advice, employment law, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) concerns and real estate matters. We are not able to assist with matters in dispute. Before applying, business owners should have a business plan and their most recent tax return available.
North Carolina Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Mecklenburg County Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
North Dakota
None
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Students represent community-based for-profit and non-profit entities on the full range of issues on which business lawyers advise their clients.
Students work with entrepreneurs to develop an IP protection strategy and to prepare documentation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Students also work with startups on developing a clear business strategy. They also draft charter documents for the company and agreements to handle stock options, if necessary.
Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
The Transactional Law Clinic’s clients include include individuals, for profit start-up companies, community and economic development organizations, arts organizations, and other individuals and entities that are devoted to improving northeastern Ohio. The Clinic provides a wide-range of advice and services on issues relating to corporate governance, tax, environmental law, real estate, corporate policies, compliance with federal, state and local laws, entity selection, estate planning and probate matters, and intellectual property.
Ohio Northern University-Claude W. Pettit College of Law
Corporate Transactional Clinic
The representation of non-profit organizations and local churches in corporate matters including incorporating, obtaining tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service and real property issues.
Ohio State University-Moritz College of Law
Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic
Clients for the clinic are those who call in seeking assistance, others are referred by attorney, or come from business incubators, business plan competitions, or who have pending patent applications.
University of Akron School of Law
Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) Legal Clinic
The University of Akron School of Law began providing free legal services to the indigent in the late 1960s. The Small En-trepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) Legal Clinic was developed as an outgrowth of the original clinic to provide low cost legal assistance to emerging businesses in Northeastern Ohio. The SEED Clinic is able to provide low cost legal assistance by using the SEED clinic to provide law students with the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience.
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic
The University of Cincinnati College of Law opened its Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic in January 2011 and accepts clients for its Fall and Spring semesters each year.
Butler County Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Columbus Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Oklahoma
None
Oregon
Lewis & Clark Law School
Since opening its doors in 2006, the Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) has provided business transactional legal advice to more than 900 new and emerging businesses working on around 1,500 separate legal matters. Seventy-five percent of the SBLC’s clients are businesses owned by women, minorities, and recent immigrants.
University of Oregon School of Law
Students represent eligible small companies and entrepreneurs who need legal assistance in forming and operating their businesses.
Willamette University College of Law
Students in the Business Law Clinic provide legal advice and assistance primarily to non-profit corporations and start-up businesses.
Oregon State Bar
The Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service (“LRS”) has a variety of programs to assist the public in finding the right lawyer. The LRS does not employ lawyers, answer legal questions, or give legal advice. LRS maintains lists of lawyers according to areas of law and geographic area and makes referrals on a rotating basis among lawyers on the list.
Pennsylvania
Duquesne University School of Law
Services provided by student attorneys include general real estate matters, title searches, negotiation and drafting of development agreements, preparation of land use cases, appellate land use practice, and attending and participating in public meetings and hearings. Some of the unique topics addresses through the work with clinic clients include conservation easements, land acquisition, zoning issues, and “greening initiatives.”
Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law
Art, Sports and Entertainment Law Clinic
The Arts, Sports and Entertainment Law Clinic is an issues oriented clinic that provides free services to individuals in art, sports, and entertainment fields. Services include providing educational information and, when appropriate, legal representation.
Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic
Beginning in spring 2016, the Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic will allow students to represent entrepreneurs, startups and nonprofit organizations in a setting similar to a small law firm. The issues most frequently encountered in the clinic will likely include choice of entity, entity formation, founder and initial investor agreements, shareholder agreements, loan arrangements, certain intellectual property protection, commercial real estate leasing and acquisition, operating agreements, employee management, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Rural Economic Development Clinic
The Rural Economic Development Clinic works with individuals and organizations to assist in providing tools for successful business operation.
University of Pennsylvania School of Law
Detkin Intellectual Property Law and Technology Clinic
The IPC provides pro bono transactional patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret services to individuals, non-profit and for-profit clients in technology and the arts.
The Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic provides free transactional legal services to eligible entrepreneurs.
Villanova University School of Law
Clinic for Law and Entrepreneurship
Advising entrepreneurs, small businesses and social ventures on a diverse array of challenges common to launching, operating and growing sustainable businesses.
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law except: Healthcare, International
Philadelphia Bar Association
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all ares of the law.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Bar Association
Lawyers for the Arts is a component program of the Lawyer Referral Service of the Rhode Island Bar Association providing legal assistance to artists and arts-related organizations. Reduced fee and pro bono services may be available and are based on income eligibility. For additional information on this program, contact the Lawyer Referral Service at: (401) 421-7799 or by email jellis@ribar.com.
South Carolina
University of South Carolina School of Law
Nonprofit Organizations Clinic
This Clinic provides legal assistance to nonprofit organizations of all types addressing the various needs of the community. Because many of these organizations lack the financial resources to retain private legal counsel, students provide legal assistance in transactional matters that include incorporation, preparation of by-laws, preparation and filing of 501(c)(3) applications, contract review and negotiation, real estate, intellectual property and land use issues.
South Carolina Bar
Refers to all ares of the law.
South Dakota
None
Tennessee
University of Tennessee College of Law
The Business Law Clinic provides corporate legal assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations that cannot afford to pay market rates for legal services.
Vanderbilt University School of Law
Intellectual Property and the Arts Clinic
Students, under faculty supervision, will represent and counsel individuals, businesses, organizations, groups and associations in matters in various intellectual property fields, including, but not limited to, copyright, trademark, publicity rights, and trade secrets. Such work may include drafting, filing, and prosecuting copyright registrations and trademark applications; negotiating and drafting contracts; transactional projects, such as acquisitions, sales, and transfers of intellectual property or licensing agreements; advising and counseling clients; policy development and advocacy; internet and technology issues; and litigation.
Nashville Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law except: International, Securities, Government/PUC
Knoxville Bar Association
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law except: Military/Veteran Benefits, International, Entertainment Law, Immigration
Texas
Southern Methodist University-Dedman School of Law
Provides free legal services to new and existing small businesses and non-profit organizations who cannot afford to pay legal fees.
University of Houston Law Center
Students assist small businesses and non-profit organizations with legal matters encountered on a daily basis, including negotiating lease agreements, selecting a proper organizational structure, developing employment policies, and the buying and selling of businesses.
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic
Clinic students provide transactional business law representation to entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Our clients are strengthening their communities through job creation, the production and preservation of affordable housing, asset building strategies for low-income individuals, and the provision of innovative and valuable goods and services for their communities. The legal services we provide include: choice of entity counseling, formation of for-profit and nonprofit entities, assistance in obtaining and maintaining federal tax-exempt status, contract review and drafting, real estate work, trademark and copyright work, employment law counseling, and general counsel services for nonprofit boards of directors.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program
Type of Cases Accepted: Bankruptcy, Consumer, Housing, Wills, Real Estate, for nonprofits, Taxation, Dissolution, Custody, CED
State Bar of Texas
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law.
Utah
University of Utah-S.J. Quinney College of Law
Vermont
Law for Food provides legal counsel and business support to small-scale farmers, food producers, and the local food economy in New England and New York.
Vermont Bar Association
Refers to all areas of the law.
Virginia
University of Richmond School of Law
Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic
The Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic is a teaching law firm sponsored by the University of Richmond School of Law. The clinic is staffed by a team of upper-level law students who are trained in intellectual property and business law issues. It offers comprehensive legal services to businesses and non-profit organizations, with expertise in providing legal guidance and representation in intellectual property and transactional matters.
University of Virginia School of Law
The Nonprofit Clinic works with local nonprofit boards on a “legal health checkup” and other matters such as initial formation, establishing tax-exempt status, charitable solicitation, state/local taxation, contracts and ongoing legal compliance.
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic involves instruction and practical training on advising startup companies and drafting basic corporate documentation.
Virginia State Bar
Refers to all areas of the law.
Washington
Gonzaga University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law
Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic
A team consulting clinic focused on developing a working relationship with a growing business enterprise. Student teams will deliver business and legal assistance and develop deliverables to empower local entrepreneurs, micro enterprises, startups, and growth stage companies.
Not for Profit Organization Clinic
Students work with individuals and community groups interested in creating a non-profit organization.
Washington Lawyers for the Arts
Founded in 1976, Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Washington state by creating alliances and making legal resources accessible to artists and arts organizations of all disciplines.
University of Washington School of Law
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC) is an innovative clinic serving entrepreneurs throughout the Pacific Northwest.
West Virginia
West Virginia University College of Law
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic
Provides legal services to start-up companies, small businesses, non-profits, and individuals. The clinic works with clients in counseling for a product plan or business organization; licensing; employee and contractor agreements; intellectual property; financing and venture capital; planning and negotiation; dispute resolution; and generalized assistance in business formation, planning, and strategy.
West Virginia State Bar
Refers to all areas of the law except: Healthcare, Intellectual Property, International, Juvenile, Trademark, Military
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Law School
The Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic (L & E Clinic) provides free legal services to nascent entrepreneurs and early stage companies through the work of law students supervised by faculty and private sector attorneys.
State Bar of Wisconsin
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law.
Milwaukee Bar Association
Lawyer Referral And Information Service
Refers to all areas of the law.
Wyoming
None