St. Louis University School of Law Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic

About

The Entrepreneurship and Community Development (ECD) Clinic provides transactional representation to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, community groups, and small businesses.  ECD clients seek to positively impact the St. Louis community in a variety of ways, including neighborhood revitalization, job creation, producing and preserving affordable housing, offering needed goods and services, and working to generate solutions to common community problems.  

Generally, the ECD Clinic does not litigate in a court of law, provide bankruptcy services, provide advice concerning securities law or tax law compliance, or provide intellectual property assistance.  Also, the ECD Clinic does not field quick questions or accept walk-ins.

Missouri residents, nonprofits, or for-profits that need legal assistance in the ECD Clinic’s practice areas may request assistance.  Clients are selected considering a variety of factors, including the ECD Clinic’s current capacity, the suitability of the matter for student educational purposes, the applicant’s available resources and access to market-rate legal services (including the applicant’s income and family size), timing needs, and the applicant’s potential community impact.  The ECD Clinic’s services are best suited for applicants who have developed clear ideas, goals, and plans for their ventures (for example, as evidenced by a viable business plan or other written document).

The ECD Clinic generally adds new clients at the start of each academic semester (August and January). 

The ECD Clinic provides legal services to its clients free of charge.  However, ECD Clinic clients are responsible for paying all third-party costs associated with the representation (e.g., filing fees, application fees, appraisals).  

The ECD Clinic primarily serves clients in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis county.