ADVISING ENTREPRENEURS (2) (BUS 305)

Professor Emily Campbell

This 2-credit course will focus on representing entrepreneurs and growing companies. Entrepreneurs are the heart of American business, and there are many opportunities for lawyers to work with entrepreneurs and smaller companies as they grow and develop. The skills necessary to advise an entrepreneur include understanding the client’s industry, being able to communicate with the client, being able to spot issues across multiple legal disciplines and having the ability to know when to reach out to specialists in other practice areas. A lawyer who can develop these skills will be in demand and will be able to diversify his or her practice. Students enrolled in this course will be learn how to advise clients about business formation, hiring employees and retaining independent contractors, protecting confidential information and trade secrets, securing rights to intellectual property, taking on business partners, raising capital, advising on exit strategies and more. Students will follow two industries chosen by the Professor (for example, energy, retail, food, music, technology, sports). Students may be required to do some substantive research for the take-home mid-term and take-home final exams, which will be based on hypothethicals involving the selected industries. However, it would not be more than would be required of any first year associate assigned a similar task in a law firm or corporation setting, so this is a course that will give students a real-world experience and the ability to build practical legal skills.