Syllabus - Spring 2026
    Table of Contents

  • Session 1:    January 7, 2026
  • Session 2:    January 14, 2026
  • Session 3:    January 21, 2026
  • Session 4:    January 28, 2026
  • Session 5:    February 4, 2026
  • Session 6:    February 11, 2026
  • Session 7:    February 18, 2026
    		•
  • Session 8:    March 4, 2026
  • Session 9:    March 11, 2026
  • Session 10:  March 18, 2026
  • Session 11:  March 25, 2026
  • Session 12:  April 1, 2026
  • Session 13:  April 6, 2026
  • Session 14:  April 15, 2026
    		•

    Course #: 6948 - Business Information & Technology Clinic (aka Small Business Legal Clinic)

    Seminars:
    • Wednesdays 8:00 pm to 9:50 pm
    • Room :  RDB 1031 (clinic conference room)

    Writing Assignment Homework
    • CLICK HERE for writing assignment homework schedule (the same information is contained within this Syllabus)

Seminar Schedule

Session 1:   January 7, 2026
Introduction & Housekeeping
  • Introduction to the Clinic
  • Intake and File Management
  • Case Assignments and Supervision
  • ClinicCases software
  • Clinic Policies and Procedures Manual
  • Supervision
  • professor's expectation regarding student performance

    • Weekly Assignment #1 - Simple Affidavit
      Email to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the "Session 2" class seminar
      put "assignment 1" as first part of email subject line
      make "assignment-1" the first part of the Word file name

    Lease Modification Assignment - Part #1
      Email to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the "Session 2" class seminar
      put "lease modification 1" the first part of email subject line
      make "lease modificatin 1" the first part of the Word file name

    Reading Assignments for Next Session::

Session 2:   January 14, 2026    (back to top)
Trademarks
  • A practical overview of trademark and copyright registration
  • click here for the powerpoint that will be used during the lecture)

Session 3:   January 21, 2026    (back to top)
Contracts
  • Common contracts in small businesses and nonprofits
  • Key elements in contract drafting

Session 4:   January 28, 2026    (back to top)
Choice of Entity
  • Maintaining the limited liability protection of directors and officers
  • Comparison of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), For Profit Corporatoins (both sub-chapter S & sub-chapter C), Sole Proprietorships, Limited Partnerships (LPs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs).
  • Following the formalities (compliance with bylaws, minute book, speparate bank accounts etc)

    • Weekly Assignment #4 - Statutory Warranty Deed
      Email the assignment to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the next class session
      put "assignment 4" as first part of email subject line
      make "assignment-4" the first part of the Word file name

    Lease Modification Assignment - Part #4

    Reading Assignments for Next Session:

Session 5:   February 4, 2026    (back to top)
Website Terms & Privacy Policies

Session 6:   February 11, 2026    (back to top)
Small Business Tax Issues

Session 7:   February 18, 2026    (back to top)
Nonprofits & 501(c)(3) Exemptions

Week of Spring Break - February 23rd - March 1st


Session 8:   March 4, 2026    (back to top)
Joint Ventures & LLC Operating Agreements
  • Best practices in negotiating joint ventures
  • Comparison of possible joint venture vehicles (LLCs, partnerships & corporations)
  • LLC Operating Agreements
    • Management options
    • Capital contributions & Duties of Members
    • Percentage of Ownership
    • Split of Profits
    • Continuity Planning
    • Expelling a member
  • Converting Corporation to LLC and vice versa
  • Protecting assests from creditors
  • (click here for the powerpoint that will be used during the lecture)

    • Weekly Assignment #8 - Simple Satisfaction of Mortgage
      Email the assignment to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the next class session
      put "assignment 8" as first part of email subject line
      make "assignment-8" the first part of the Word file name

Session 9:   March 11, 2026     (back to top)
Advanced Contracts

Session 10:   March 18, 2026    (back to top)
Attracting Investors
  • What is a "security"
  • Registration requirements
  • Registration exemptions

    • Weekly Assignment #10 - Simple Transfer of Contract Rights
      Email the assignment to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the next class session
      put "assignment 10" as first part of email subject line
      make "assignment-10" the first part of the Word file name

Session 11:   March 25, 2026    (back to top)
Advanced Trademarks

Session 12:   April 1, 2026    (back to top)
Independent Contractors & Employment
Weekly Assignment #12 - Simple "Notice of Lessor"
    Email the assignment to your supervisor prior to midnight on the date of the next class session
    put "assignment 12" as first part of email subject line
    make "assignment-12" the first part of the Word file name
Reflection Paper due by the next session
  • Email a 2 - 5 page Word file to your supervisor reflecting on your experience in the Clinic thus far and sharing any insights that you may or may not have regarding what the Clinic does well and what it might need to improve

Session 13:   April 6, 2026    (back to top)
Law Student Presentations (first half of students)
  • The presentations should last from 10 to 15 minutes and should highlight the student's experience in the Clinic.  The specific content of the presentations, however, is up to the individual student.  In prior semesters students would often accompany their presentation with a PowerPoint (but that is not specifically required).  In prior semesters many of the students highlighted note-worthy challenges and/or educational benefit achieved during the course of providing legal assistance to clients.  Often prior students provided a summary of some of their most interesting cases and the particular benefits they might have received through work at the Clinic.  Prior students sometimes provided suggestions for how the Clinic might be improved in the future.

Session 14:   April 15, 2026    (back to top)
Law Student Presentations (second half of students)
  • Presentations to be made to the class by the other half of the students (see "Session 13" above).

TIPS ON WRAPPING UP CASE WORK     (back to top)

  • By the time of the student-lawyer's final supervision session all files on CLIO must be up to date.

    • Copies of all email and paper correspondence MUST be uploaded to the "documents" section - ESPECIALLY CLOSING AND TRANSFER EMAILS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CLIENT

    • All client relevant telephone conversations must be documented with case notes.

    • For files being transferred a case note labeled "TRANSFER NOTE" must be entered in CLIO providing the next student-lawyer with clear guidance as to what the client wants and the tasks to be pursued..

    • For files to being closed a case note labeled "CLOSING MEMO" must be entered providing a summary of the assistance that was provided.