Legal Strategies for Small Businesses Seminar
November 1, 2007 – 6:15 pmHope everyone had a fun and spooky Halloween. Speaking of scary things, let’s talk about how many new businesses and startups operate without qualified legal council or advice (smooth segue, right?).
It’s been on my mind recently since attending Whitney Hoffman’s excellent “Legal and Logistical Advice for your Startup” session at PodCamp Boston. Having launched several of her own companies and earned a law degree, Whitney really knows what she’s talking about and gave great advice on common paperwork and tax-related issues many new businesses ignore or postpone.
In my own limited experience, back when I launched my first startup, I really didn’t pay much attention to the finer legal, financial, and logistical details, which I really regretted later on. Of course, I had some excuses and leeway given to me since I was just a high school teenager back then, but there’s really no excuse for sloppy paperwork and lack of proper planning nowadays. For my next startup, I fully intend to provide an awesome 401K plan to additional to standard dot-com perks like unlimited caffeinated drinks/snacks. Which I why I plan on attending a legal seminar hosted by University of Pittsburgh’s Community Economic Development (CED) Clinic later this month.
The mission of the Pitt’s CED Clinic is to “develop community infrastructure and create livelihoods for local homeowners and small businesses” by providing free legal representation and council. They’ve represented small businesses like Dozen Cupcakes and non-profits like the Parental Stress Center (both great local organizations that I also support). Anyway, thanks to my friend Dave Tkacik for letting me know about the upcoming seminar. Additional thanks to Daniel Friedson and Paul A. Robertson at the CED Clinic for following up with additional information. I recommend that anyone else thinking about starting up a new company locally or needing advice/representation for their existing company also attend.
Date: Saturday, November 17, 2007
Time: 9am—4pm
Location: University of Pittsburgh, School of Law
3900 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Room 111, First Floor
Registration Deadline: November 8, 2007, 5:00 P.M.
Please email a brief description of your business to pitt.ced.clinic@gmail.com or call 412-648-1300.
Cost: Includes lunch and training materials, send $20 check or money order payable to:
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
PO Box 7226
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Or $30 cash to register at the door
Featured Topics: Creating a Business Plan, Choosing a Business Structure, Lease Negotiation and Code Compliance, Basic Employee Issues, Raising Money, Basic Marketing and Branding.
Free legal representation for qualified businesses (CED Clinic will only represent businesses that attend the seminar, pass a conflicts of interest check, and seek legal services within the Clinic’s areas of practice).
One Response to “Legal Strategies for Small Businesses Seminar”
Thanks so much for the mention, and glad the session was useful! People get entangled in all sorts of relationships business-wise, without really knowing the risk and obligations.
For example, one thing I didn’t really touch on , but it’s an important consideration, is that in partnerships, both parties are jointly liable for any debt; it isn’t “severable” or assignable to just one party- each partner is fully liable for all the debt, until it’s paid. But it means you have more on the line in partnerships, and are as responsible for all your partners’ actions as if they were your own.
The biggest piece of advice, of course, is treat your business with respect, and treat the money carefully, keeping it separate. When you co-mingle funds, you end up in trouble.
By Whitney Hoffman on Nov 2, 2007