Click to access free-legal-flyer.pdf
As a business owner, you will undoubtedly need the services of a lawyer now and then. If you will need one frequently, it might be more cost efficient to hire one on a retainer. If, however, you will only need one infrequently, you might locate one and establish a relationship where you can get and pay for what you want when you need it. Tisha Dodge, of Dodge Legal Group teaches law students, she is offering free legal services by working with her students to qualified business’.
Texas A&M University School of Law, located in downtown Fort Worth, is accepting applications from small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs who need free legal assistance during the 2023-24 academic year.
Our educational program offers Texas businesses, nonprofits, and emerging entrepreneurs with limited financial means, the opportunity to obtain free legal assistance by working with law students who are supervised by experienced lawyers. Students work with clients to review, negotiate, and draft contracts, form new business and nonprofit entities, file applications to establish intellectual property rights (copyrights, trademarks, and patents), and offer other miscellaneous business law advice.
Our services do not include tax advice, business litigation, assistance to foreign entities, or venture capital transactions. Our program serves those with limited financial resources, meaning annual gross income from all sources amounting to less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. For an individual who is a member of a household of 4 people, that can mean they can earn up to $90,000 and still receive free legal assistance. Community leaders who earn more and are forming nonprofits without substantial financial backing may also be eligible for our services. Although our legal services are provided at no charge, clients are responsible for certain fees and other costs that may be necessary. For example, clients are responsible for the fees payable to the Secretary of State when filing a LLC and would be paid directly by the client.
If you know someone who could benefit from our services, please pass on our information. Although we are accepting prospective clients now to prepare for our next academic year, starting in August, please encourage interested persons to apply as soon as possible. Generally, any work
coming in after September will be placed on a waitlist for the following academic semester.
Fill out a Request for Services form at:
https://law.tamu.edu/legal-assistance/entrepreneurship-law-clinic/legal-services-request
Or call us at (817) 212-4168
If your client would like to work with me directly, they must make a request to do so.
For the last question, “How did you hear about us?” Select “Other” In the dropdown box, please
fill in with “Tisha Dodge.”
You may get information on  legal questions:
- HG.org
An extensive legal site with some great links to legal resources. - NOLO
The leading provider of self-help legal information for individuals and small business owners. - LawGuru
A great site for legal research. Over 340 links to various legal resources. - National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Discounts on insurance and other benefits for the self-employed. - Mediation Training Institute International
A good resource for businesses needing conflict resolution training. - IRS.gov
IRS Information and Forms - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Protect your work before it’s too late.
Trinity Valley SBDC is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Texas, and Trinity Valley Community College. Advising services are offered by Trinity Valley SBDC without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Special provisions will be made for limited English-speaking individuals and those with disabilities. Those interested may contact us at 903-675-7403.
The North Texas Small Business Development Center Network is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Dallas College. The North Texas SBDC is an Accredited Member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers. SBDCs are supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. The SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or services. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.
All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Small Business Administration or other funding partners.