Free Legal Advice Day Offers Help to Small Business Owners

KB Event Management owner Kathryn Braun was just getting her new business off the ground when she realized that she really needed legal advice. But, legal advice can be expensive and she wasn't sure how to go about finding help.  

Fortunately, Braun found the perfect solution:  a “Free Legal Advice” day sponsored by Duke Energy and the University of Cincinnati College of Law’s

Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic

(ECDC).

“The attorneys couldn’t have been more knowledgeable and willing to help," said Braun. "As a new business owner, this kind of assistance was absolutely priceless."

The fifth annual “

Free Legal Advice to Better Your Business

” day will be held from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 22 in the atrium of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, located at the corner of Calhoun Street and Clifton Avenue.

Parking is free in the Deaconess Garage on Straight Street. Schedule an appointment by contacting Lori Strait at

lori.strait@uc.edu

or 513.556.0117.

Growing Your Small Business

Small businesses produced 43 percent of the nation’s job growth last year, according to a report issued by Automatic Data Processing. Recognizing this importance, Duke Energy and the ECDC partnered to fill this gap in legal services for the community. Over the past four years, more than 120 small businesses have been helped.  

The “Free Legal Advice” day provides up to 30-minute consultations with attorneys in various practice areas, including contracts, business start-up, trademarks, patents, real estate, tax, non-profits and labor and employment. Local Duke Energy attorneys volunteer their expertise, and are shadowed by law students to provide an invaluable opportunity for practical learning.

“Duke Energy has a long tradition of community service, and we are proud of our attorneys’ efforts to help local businesses who may not be able to afford legal services,” said Jim Henning, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky.

For those businesses that need more extensive assistance, they can

apply to be a client

of the ECDC, directed by Professor Lewis Goldfarb. Goldfarb says, “The most important legal question is often the one not asked. We encourage all entrepreneurs to ask questions.”