HOW TO GET PRO BONOLEGAL SERVICES FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Angie HallStaff Attorney

Small Business Legal Assistance Program(SBLAP)

This presentation has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this without seeking advice from professional advisers.

Webinar Objectives

The Law Project’s Pro Bono Legal Services

SBLAP’s Legal Services

Eligibility Requirements for SBLAP

Application Process and Timeline for SBLAP

Frequently Asked Questions

The Law Project’s Pro Bono Legal Services

Serve as liaison to low-income clients and volunteer attorneys

TLP’s clients (generally): community-based small businesses* and nonprofit organizations, first-time low-income homebuyers– *This presentation will focus on the Small Business Legal

Assistance Program specifically– Clients do not have funds to pay for legal representation

Recruit volunteers who are licensed attorneys Attorneys only provide “transactional” legal services

– NO litigation or disputes TLP staff attorneys serve as resource throughout the

representation by the volunteer attorney

The Small Business Program’s Legal Services

Providing legal support to entrepreneurs, whether they are just getting started or as their existing businesses continue to grow,

by assisting with a variety of transactional matters including:

Negotiating lease provisions

Determining corporate structure

Reviewing trademark or other intellectual property issues

Addressing insurance issues

Investigating licensing requirements

Managing employment issues

Negotiating and preparing contracts

And much more…

Three Major Eligibility Requirements for SBLAP

1. Consideration of the individual and the business’ potential impact on the surrounding community

2. Income eligibility requirement

3. Referral requirement

Each eligibility standard is discussed in more detail in the following slides!

Eligibility Standard #1

A consideration of both the individual and the business’ potential impact on the surrounding community

We will evaluate the following factors:– Household Income– Access to credit and capital– Family Size– Number and quality of jobs created for local residents– Benefit to the community

Eligibility Standard #2

Income Eligibility Requirement

To qualify, you MUST meet our income eligibility criteria:– Income limits are based on 80% of Chicago Metropolitan

Area Median Income– To qualify, income per year must not exceed maximum limit

based on size of your household• See application for chart

– In evaluating eligibility, in addition to income limits, we also consider extenuating circumstances and special needs:• Child care, required educational expenses, child support or

alimony, special employment expenses or other emergency type financial obligations

SBLAP Eligibility Standard #3

Referral Requirement

To qualify, you MUST meet one of the following criteria: 1. Referral from a community-based organization*

2. Complete or participate in a small business development training program sponsored by a community organization*

3. Demonstrate you do not need to take a training class because of sufficient business experience and because the business will be of economic benefit to the community• Submit a business plan (recommended)

*Community-based organizations are listed on p. 3 of application and include: Women’s Business Development Center; Duman Microenterprise Center and Loan Fund; SCORE Chicago; and Bethel’s Entrepreneurship Training Program

Application Process

1. Fill out an application for the Small Business Legal Assistance Program (available at www.thelawproject.org)– You will be asked to provide personal information, business

information, financial information, and information regarding services you are requesting

2. Pay a $35 application fee– Must be in the form of CASH or MONEY order (no checks)

3. Submit application and fee– Application: email, fax, mail, deliver personally– Fee: must mail or deliver personally

4. We review application to determine eligibility– If not eligible we can provide referrals to private attorneys

Timeline for SBLAP

1. Submit application

2. If you are eligible, we will call to give info about next steps and how long we anticipate it taking to find a match– Matching typically takes between 2-3 weeks

3. We will contact you when we have found a volunteer attorney

4. Conflicts check

5. Send file to attorney

6. Engagement letter – Sign and return before first meeting

7. Initial client meeting

8. Attorney works on file

9. Feedback

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am not based in Illinois?

What if I need help with a matter that I did not originally list on my application?

How should I submit the application?

Contact Information

This presentation has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this without seeking advice from professional advisers.

Angie Hall

Staff Attorney

Small Business Legal Assistance Program

The Law Project of the

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

(312) 939-3638 extension 228

www.thelawproject.org

ahall@thelawproject.org