Program Overview

Introduction to the Startup NC Law Clinic

The Startup NC Law Clinic offers students the opportunity to represent startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses from across North Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem. This clinic introduces students to the practice of business law in the context of counseling actual clients, allowing them to take the lead in representations and serve as the primary point of contact for all client communications and interactions.

Program Description

Students in the Startup NC Law Clinic will learn the practical skills and specialized business and transactional law needed to organize new entities for startup businesses, counsel founders in their co-owner arrangements, and advise new businesses in their fundamental contractual relationships. Additionally, students will provide certain asset protection information and regulatory advice, especially as clients move into new technologies or other cutting-edge businesses. This knowledge and experience are foundational for any law student who wants to work in the business, transactional, or corporate arena, whether as an attorney at a law firm, an in-house counsel, or a solo practitioner.

Client Work

Students will work with clients in and around the Triangle as well as in rural areas. Examples of clients might include:

• Food or beverage startups
• Providers of various educational products and services
• Textile-related businesses
• New technologies
• Health and wellness entrepreneurs
• Makers of sustainable crafts or products
• Various e-commerce businesses
• Small "brick and mortar" establishments

Seminar Component

The clinic includes a weekly 2-hour seminar component that provides substantive support for the client work.

Enrollment Options and Credit Hours

The clinic is available for enrollment in the following options:

• Fall semester only – 5 credit hours (3 credits for the clinical work and 2 credits for the seminar component)
• Spring semester only – 5 credit hours (3 credits for the clinical work and 2 credits for the seminar component)

Skills Learned

Through participation in the Startup NC Law Clinic, students will develop the following skills:

• Interviewing and counseling entrepreneurs and other business clients
• Developing legal judgment
• Learning to be a business lawyer
• Experience identifying, and helping achieve, clients' goals
• Experience drafting and negotiating corporate documents, including various commercial and operational contracts, founders' agreements, and formation documents
• Counseling clients in asset protection issues
• Experience researching new areas and writing concise memoranda for clients
• Experience in communication skills for effective, professional client representation, both orally and in writing
• Experience in developing a professional "voice"
• Experience in corporate workflow, case management, collaboration, and teamwork
• The value of pro bono work

Requirements

The prerequisite for the Startup NC Law Clinic is Business Associations.

Faculty

The clinic is directed by Marjorie S. White, Clinical Professor of Law, and Director of the Startup NC Law Clinic.