October 2008 (Downloadable PDF file)

The Legal Project

Pro Bono Corner
Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director

Small Business Legal Connection

You may be aware of the program that we have that specializes in providing legal information to small business owners, with a special emphasis on women, minority and low-income individuals in the Capital Region (or should I say Tech Valley?) Our program will be featured in a micro-enterprise blog on the Times Union website, and one of the bloggers is Lissa D’Aquinno, who you may recall was the founder and prior owner of The Chocolate Gecko. We received permission to reprint it in this newsletter.

What is the free legal clinic for micro-entrepreneurs?
The Small Business Legal Network provides free half-hour one-on-one consultations with an attorney who specializes in business law, by appointment only by calling (518) 435-1770.

When is it offered?
The clinic is held quarterly, in the evenings at The Legal Project offices in Executive Park in Albany. The next clinic is Thursday, December 4th. Dates for 2009 have not yet been scheduled.

Who can attend?
Prospective or current small business owners

What types of issues are address?
The most common issues include: choosing a business entity structure, intellectual property rights, and contracts.

How long has the Legal Project been doing this?
The clinic began in the spring of 2004

What was the impetus for this clinic?
Clients of the Capital District Community Loan Fund and other microenterprise programs in the region had a need for specific legal advice relating to small business matters. Our regular monthly legal clinic did not provide this frequently-requested service, and so we decided to create a program that would better meet the needs of the community.

How many entrepreneurs have been served since it's inception?
126 to date. How many entrepreneurs are served each clinic? It varies from a few to upwards of 15 clients per clinic.

Do you have trouble recruiting attorneys for the clinic?
Not at all. Actually, business attorneys are happy to have an opportunity to give back to the community and assist small business owners—often they feel like they have limited opportunity to do pro bono and share their expertise.

What has the response been from the entrepreneurs?
The clients appreciate and enjoy access to an attorney who can simplify matters for them and remove the confusion and intimidation that often comes with entrepreneurship.

What has the response been from the attorneys?
The attorneys are happy to help and provide this service. They report great satisfaction in helping others and enjoy having a way to promote small business in the Capital Region.

Why is this an important offering to micro-entrepreneurs?
It can be overwhelming and confusing when starting from scratch: many decisions to be made based on an overwhelming amount of information, trying to determine which sources of information are reliable, not knowing what your legal options, rights, and responsibilities are, etc. A private consultation with an attorney helps to simplify and streamline all of that, which has the effect of providing relief for the entrepreneur, as well as a renewed burst of creative energy to be channeled into the business.

Anything else you would like to add?
The Legal Project has partnered with the Capital District Community Loan Fund in providing these clinics to the public. Our contact at the CDCLF is Paul Stewart, phone 436-8580, paul@cdclf.org. Other microenterprise programs, such as the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce and the Albany Center for Economic Success (ACES), also provide referrals to the clinic.

Gina Marie Cannistraro is the coordinator of this program, and the attorneys who have volunteered for this to date are:

We could use the assistance of additional attorneys for this project, so if you have expertise in any of the small business legal areas, please contact Gina Marie at gcannistraro@legalproject.org.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In addition to it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is the month set aside to pay particular attention to domestic violence issues in our communities. Since our domestic violence program is the cornerstone of The Legal Project, we hold our Annual Pro Bono Reception during this month. The numbers of victims of abuse are rising steadily, and we are in great need of additional voluteers to help with these cases in Family Court. Our next training, "Representing Victims of Domestic Violence in Family Court" (formerly Family Offense Basics) is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2008. Attorneys who volunteer to take at least two cases during the year, one for The Legal Project and one for Legal Aid, will get the training and CLE credit for free. Please contact Kristi at Legal Aid for more information on that training at KCinelli@Lasnny.org or Susan Pattenaude at spattenaude@legalproject.org.

Governor Paterson Signs Historic "Fair Access to Family Court" Bill
Granting Intimate Partners Ability to Obtain Civil Orders of Protection in Family Court

This law ensures that all victims of intimate partner violence can seek an order of protection in New York's Family Courts. Unmarried victims, such as those living together, dating, or in same-sex relationships, will now be able to obtain potentially life-saving civil orders of protection. The law has been in effect since July and the Unified Court System has updated their civil order of protection petition. A downloadable copy of the bill, press release and new civil family offense petition can be found on the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at www.opdv.state.ny.us.

Thank you for volunteering in August!

Price Chopper Shoppers:

We all are trying to use less plastic bags when shopping, but if you do use them, check out the bags during two weeks in October, when they will have the domestic violence hotline numbers printed on them as a service during domestic violence awareness month! Thanks to the Albany County Coalition Against Abuse for helping to make that happen!