Course Description
Students will work with a licensed attorney to produce carefully researched, jurisdiction-specific, tailored informational guidance addressing common legal needs in the entrepreneurial and nonprofit community. A weekly seminar will provide an introductory overview of major topics in business law.
Athena Title
Business Law Practicum
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the projects(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 50-75% of overall instructional time.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Business Law Practicum students will: - develop analytical and editorial skills in the context of practical projects and reality-grounded class work; - obtain familiarity with legal problem solving: formulating goals, expanding options, planning strategy, and making decisions; - gain insight into how the law functions in practice; and increase sensitivity to issues of professional responsibility and ethics. Supervised students will assist law students in representing entrepreneurs, small business owners, and not-for-profit organizations that cannot otherwise afford legal services. Students will work with law students to interview, counsel, and draft documents for clients.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction/Overview 2. Legal Research Techniques 3. Professionalism and Ethics 4. The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Georgia 5. Pre-existing Contractual Obligations 6. Choice of Entity 7. Structuring Ownership 8. Working with a Board 9. Raising Money 10. Venture Capital 11. Human Resources 12. Contracts and Leases 13. E-commerce 14. Intellectual Property