Neighborhood Small Business Legal Workshop Series- Northwest

Have you started or are you planning to start a community business or organization? Do you want to know how you can comply with the law now and in the future? This workshop provides both an overview of the different legal forms that your organization could take and also information on how to ensure compliance with the law even before your organization has a legal form.

Topics to be Covered

• Entities 101 – Why should you consider entity formation? What different types of entities exist? We’ll explain why it matters and provide examples.
• Social Enterprise 101 – Are you operating as or interested in starting a social enterprise? We’ll provide examples and explain why it matters.
• A Pathway to Compliance for Pre-Legal Organizations in a Nutshell
  • Business Rights
    • Protecting Business Assets (intellectual property (IP), talent, capital, real estate)
    • Offering Securities (registering with the SEC, soliciting donations and/or investments, being aware of “informal” investors)
    • Licensing (food safety regulations, liquor license)
    • Complying with Health & Environmental Safety Regulations
• Property Rights
  • Zoning (e.g., permits, conditional & non-conforming uses, variances, parking and signage requirements)
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Leases
• Labor Rights
  • Differences between Volunteers, Employees, & Private/Independent Contractors
  • Compensation, Hours, Breaks, and Leave Requirements
  • Discrimination in Hiring or Firing
  • Safe Workplaces
  • Immigration & Foreign Worker Issues
• Tax Compliance
  • Income, Payroll, Sales, & Tax-Exemption for Nonprofits
  • How to handle back taxes & why it’s important

Presented by student attorneys (under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney) in the Wayne State University Law School Business and Community Law Clinic. Wayne State University Law School Business and Community Law Clinic provides free legal services to qualifying community-based businesses as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations that aspire to create social good and impact to revitalize Detroit and Michigan.

Visit law.wayne.edu/clinics/business to find out more information about the Wayne State University Law School Business and Community Law Clinic, and apply to become a client of the clinic at: go.wayne.edu/apply-bclc.