Small Business Legal Clinic
A clinical program of the FIU College of Law that ended operations in May of 2026
Search fiuclinic.org
Resource Links for Students
Syllabus (spring semester 2026)
Form Collections
Forms Collection #1: intake, file opening, file closing
Forms Collection #2: communications about deliverables
Forms Collection #3: transactional forms
Archived Websites
(other websites hosted on fiuclinic.org)
Client Education
Links to legal education materials
Case Handling Protocols
Trademark Registration Applications
Non-profit corporation Protocol
501(c)(3) Protocol
LLC Protocol
For-profit corporation Protocol
Copyright Protocol
Nonprofit Resources
SELF HELP GUIDES
Self Help Guide to obtaining 501(c)(3) Status
Self Help Guide to Florida Property Tax Exemption
Self Help Guide to becoming a "CHDO"
SAMPLE NONPROFIT CORPORATE POLICIES
Personnel Policy Manual
Procurement Policy Manual
Accounting Policy Manual
Sexual Harassment Policy
Conflicts of Interest Policy
(IRS approved)
Lease/Purchase Program Policy Manual
Affirmative Action Policy
Code of Ethics Policy
Document Retention and Destruction Policy
NONPROFIT CORPORATION GOVERNANCE
Self-assessment of nonprofit for legal compliance
Avoiding Liability as a Board Member
How to follow the "Corporate Formalities"
Disclosure requirements for non-profits
Fiduciary Duties of Board Members
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
Board - Staff Relations
Merger or Consolidation of two nonprofits
Corporate dissolution - "how-to"
IRS Guide to good governance of nonprofits
Can boards of directors act without a meeting?
OBTAINING 501(C)(3) TAX EXEMPT STATUS
Self Help Guide to 501(c)(3)
Economic Development as a "charitable" activity
Economic Development as a "charitable" activity - more
24 Questions About 501(c)(3) status and Economic Development
How to obtain an IRS "group exemption"
Obtaining 501(c)(3) status for an LLC
IRS Guidance - exempt entity as general partner in a tax credit deal
OTHER ISSUES WITH 501(C)(3) CORPORATIONS
Charitable Contributions: substantiation & disclosure requirements
IRS - terminating or merging an exempt organization
"Unrelated Trade or Business" - a short overview
Lobbying and Political Activity 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status
Incentive Compensation - is it "private inurement"?
Private Inurement - "intermediate sanctions"
IRS market rate housing "Safe Harbor" - IRS Revenue Ruling
IRS market rate housing "Safe Harbor" - an article
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Miami-Dade Infill Development Program Guidelines
The Housing Development Game - a primer (Tom Zuniga)
Beginners Overview - Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Nonprofit as a partner in a Low Income Housing Tax Credit deal
The federal HOME Program and how to become a "CHDO"
Converting an Ordinary Nonprofit into a "CHDO"
Putting Together a Housing Development Team
Ways to re-capture Subsidy in Affordable Housing
Construction Liens and Bonds (the nuts and bolts)
Issues with Nonprofits making Home Repair Loans
Negotiating a Joint Venture Agreement
Using a Sales Tax Exemption to Lower Construction Costs
Operating government funded home repair lending programs
What is a "Certificate of Use and Occupancy"?
Tax deeds and tax certificates
Title Insurance - a Primer
Using "surplus lands" in Florida for affordable housing
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Evictions without the need for a lawyer
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
Enhancing the Capacity of Nonprofit Developers
Commercial Revitalization - An Implementation Outline
Creating a Comprehensive Community Revitalization Plan
How to use the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
PERSONNEL ISSUES
"Independent Contractor" vs. "Employee" (avoiding IRS penalties)
Human Resources: Reasonable Compensation Reviews
Guide to Fair Labor Standards Act (a/k/a minimum wage law)
Employee evaluation form
PURCHASING REAL ESTATE
Checklist for Real Estate Purchases
Rental Property Takeover Documentation Checklist
Title Insurance and Deeds "for Dummies"
FISCAL AGENCY AGREEMENTS
Overview of "fiscal agency" relationships