What began as a one-day clinic to provide free legal aid to entrepreneurs has now grown to a comprehensive program stretching across Arkansas, and organizers say there's more to come in 2025. 

The Entrepreneurial Law Project was formed in the spring of 2023 as a collaboration between the U of A School of Law and the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  

One of the primary barriers for early-stage entrepreneurs is cost, and ELP seeks to remedy that by cultivating a communal legal ecosystem to support founders across the state while also providing opportunities for law students to gain hands-on experience working with businesses and startups, said Rachel Sullivant, managing director of the program. 

On the cusp of its two-year anniversary, ELP has assisted more than 75 entrepreneurs in Mena, Little Rock, Helena and Fayetteville. Attorneys from several firms and law students from U of A School of Law have volunteered more than 200 hours for educational workshops, one-on-one consultations and pro bono projects.  

ELP is funded through grants from the state and the United States Economic Development Administration. Sullivant said the project will be offering more services in 2025 to supplement its "road show," which brings attorneys to entrepreneurs across Arkansas. 

This year, organizers are launching the Entrepreneurial Law Checkup — a series of business law office hours — that will provide brief consultations with pro bono attorneys. The sessions are designed to address short, targeted legal questions and review essential business documents. 

"This service is critical for entrepreneurs who may not have the resources to afford traditional legal fees but need legal guidance to move forward with confidence," Sullivant said. 

The Checkups are slated to begin Jan. 24 and be held bi-weekly in two-hour spans. Entrepreneurs can register via the ELP website or 30-minute consultations to address their specific legal questions. Attorneys will be hosting sessions at the Fayetteville Public Library as well as online for accessibility across the state. 

ELP is also developing self-service legal forms along with education videos on popular entrepreneurial law topics like business entry selection and intellectual property, with content set to launch on their website in the fall of 2025. 

Moreover, ELP will continue to provide ongoing legal support by connecting Arkansas entrepreneurs with pro bono counsel for startups or small businesses for targeted legal projects, when capacity allows. These projects may include assistance with employment law, real estate matters, corporate governance and contract review. 

"Through the Checkups, we're able to identify entrepreneurs who could benefit from more in-depth legal support," Sullivant said. "While not everyone will be matched with a pro bono attorney, our goal is to prioritize those with the greatest legal need and the fewest resources." 

Sullivant added that ELP will also aid in referring qualifying projects to the law school's Small Business and Community Development Clinic.  

The "road show" will return in summer 2025 with stops in Helena, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Mena and Morrilton. More details will be announced in spring. 

"Access to legal guidance is crucial for any entrepreneur, but it's often out of reach for those just starting out," said Will Foster, director of legal programs for ELP and Arkansas Bar Foundation Professor at the School of Law.  

"By connecting entrepreneurs with pro bono attorneys through the service we are providing this year, we're leveling the playing field for those with limited resources. This initiative provides valuable legal support to help businesses thrive while offering attorneys the chance to make a meaningful impact on the businesses that drive Arkansas' economy." 

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at @uarklaw.  

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio, Startup Village, and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Division of Economic Development, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.