Louise Williams (pictured above) owns Family Essentials, LLC, a small business that helps by offering transitional housing to low-income families. We highlight how Louise and volunteer attorney Garrett Stephenson solved an complex zoning issue by thinking outside the box to find a creative solution.
SBLC Deepens Relationship with Warm Springs Reservation
The Small Business Legal Clinic recently had the opportunity to begin work with new small businesses in Warm Springs, Oregon. In November 2018, the Small Business Legal Clinic Director, Julieanna Elegant and Professor Susan Felstiner and law student Alison Roth presented to the Warm Springs Community Action Team’s business promotion program. The Warm Springs Community Action Team’s business promotion program is focused on increasing the number of tribal member owned small businesses throughout the reservation.
The SBLC Renews its Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
The mission of the Small Business Legal Clinic is to provide low-cost transactional legal support for small business owners with a focus on traditionally underserved populations. Women, people of color and recent immigrants own more than eighty percent of the businesses that we serve. These communities have been underserved by many institutions, including the legal system. In fact, the legal system has at times worked against people of color, immigrants and women. As a member of the legal community, it is our responsibility to help our clients access the legal system to empower themselves and their communities.
The Small Business Legal Clinic gave 25 presentations throughout Oregon during our 2018-2019 fiscal year, including Hillsboro, Salem, Pendleton, Gresham, Beaverton, Portland and Warm Springs. About 475 participants learned about topics including risk management, entity selection, trademarks, managing partners and employment law. It was both a record in number of presentations and in numbers or participants.
Demand continues to outpace our expanded services. Please consider donating to the SBLC to allow us to continue to support the community.
"The academic and friendly atmosphere has made it comfortable for me to ask questions and request new tasks, and detailed feedback has taught me so much."
