Entrepreneurship Law Clinic

The Elmore Entrepreneurship Law Clinic is designed to provide students the unique opportunity to work on actual business formation, planning, and strategy issues in a multidisciplinary setting. Students interested in transactional law practice, advising entrepreneurs, or becoming entrepreneurs are typical candidates for participation in the Clinic.

The Clinic operates as a small law firm extending its services into business advice, with Clinic interns working under the supervision of the Clinic Director, providing legal and business consulting to a variety of early-stage companies. Client projects vary widely, but frequently include advising clients on appropriate business form; drafting necessary formation documents; obtaining permits and licenses; negotiating contracts and leases; and providing business planning advice. Students often have opportunities to review and provide feedback on the business plans of actual startups.

Clinic interns meet with the Director in groups or individually to review project status and to discuss experiences and concerns. Clinic interns also attend a two-hour class each week. The course surveys typical legal issues affecting entrepreneurial enterprises, but also focuses on typical funding strategies and procedures of VC-backable companies.

Strongly suggested prerequisites for participation in the Clinic include Corporations, Corporate Taxation, and Business Planning, or equivalent preparations as determined by the Director. Per Indiana Supreme Court Rules, students participating in the Clinic must also have completed or be in enrolled in a Professional Responsibility course. 3Ls or 4th-year JD/MBAs only. Enrollment in the clinic is limited, so students must, at or prior to enrollment, submit a current resume and a brief statement of interest to the Director by email. After registration, the Director will approve those students who will be enrolled in the clinic.