Rutgers Law Students Run Free LLC Workshops for New Jersey Business Owners

Rutgers Community and Transactional Law Clinic has run workshops that let New Jersey entrepreneurs build limited liability companies at no cost. Law students at the clinic provide free legal help. The Rutgers Advanced Institute for the Study of Entrepreneurship and Development covers licensing fees.

Nearly 10 business owners have gotten assistance since launch. Participants receive guidance through the legal setup to structure their companies for liability protection.

Moutar Sampil, a Rutgers-Newark marketing sophomore, owns Samproma, a photography business serving college students and event organizers in New Jersey and New York City. "While I was confident in my photography and editing skills, I realized I needed guidance on the business side to take Samproma to the next level," said Sampil, according to Rutgers.edu. "I wanted to establish my LLC, create proper client contracts, and develop the structure needed to operate professionally and build long-term credibility."

Martin Rogers, an alumnus who owns Nice Ride Auto Sales, an auto sales and repair business in New Jersey, needed assistance with the setup. He struggled with where to start. "As a relatively new entrepreneur, I did not know how to apply for or begin the process for obtaining a Certificate of Formation, LLC," said Rogers.

Clinical students at Rutgers Law design and run these workshops. RAISED is a research institute located within Rutgers Business School that brings together research, teaching and community work to support entrepreneurship across the state.

"The Transactional Law Clinic is a vital initiative for RAISED because it ensures that our budding entrepreneurs, students, and formerly incarcerated individuals, receive the legal guidance they need," said Jasmine Cordero-West, RAISED Associate Director. "From forming an LLC to understanding compliance, having expert advice early on helps entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes and build a strong foundation for growth."

Tomica Burke Saul, co-director of the clinic, said students gain experience through one-on-one counseling sessions. "They have to answer on-the-spot legal questions that are tailored to the participant's business needs," said Tomica Burke Saul.

Students tackle nonprofit and corporate governance, regulatory matters, employment issues, intellectual property and general corporate work. They assemble webinars, information sessions and pop-up clinics.

Rogers praised the clinic's wide scope. "The clinic and law students have been a tremendous help to me by providing a comprehensive approach in the formation of my business as well as next steps to improve and grow my business through small-business programs and legal support system," said Rogers.