Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project
Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project
Overview
The City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) provides free legal support to microentrepreneurs of limited economic means who seek to achieve financial stability through entrepreneurship. By providing free legal services to communities that have been traditionally disenfranchised, we help NELP clients achieve financial independence and break the cycle of poverty created by systemic inequality, while bringing jobs and services to the communities where they live and work.
NELP’s volunteer attorneys provide assistance through legal presentations, legal clinics and direct pro bono representation. They assist entrepreneurs with issues such as entity formation, contracts & agreements, commercial lease reviews & negotiations, and intellectual property protections.
To date, NELP has partnered with more than 100 law firms, 25 corporate legal departments, and 30 community-based organizations to assist more than 18,000 clients through the provision of brief services, direct representation, legal clinics, and community presentations.
Akira Arroyo directs the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project and Liam Broderick is the project coordinator.
To get help from the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project, call 212.382.6633 or email nelp@nycbar.org.
NELP Services
Small Business Legal Clinics – NELP’s legal clinics provide microentrepreneurs with the opportunity to speak one-on-one with an attorney regarding their small business legal issues. Frequently discussed topics include: business structure, incorporation, contracts and agreements, commercial leasing, and intellectual property protection. In order to attend, you must register in advance.
Presentations – NELP’s volunteer attorneys give presentations on small business legal issues at local community development organizations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
Direct Pro Bono Representation – to get additional assistance from NELP, call 212.382.6633 or email nelp@nycbar.org.
To see all upcoming NELP events, view this page.
Not sure if this is the right project? Contact our free Legal Hotline at 212-626-7383.
Small Business Guides and Resources
Small Business Cannabis Presentation Series Resources
Reports
NELP 2021 Report: A Brief Overview
Upcoming events
NELP Small Business Intellectual Property Presentation - Wednesday, September 18th (4:00-5:30 PM)
A small business virtual legal presentation will be held over Zoom in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library’s Business and Career Center and the Pace University Small Business Development Center. This presentation will provide small business owners with an overview of intellectual property rights through a discussion of Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, and Patents. The webinar will delve into the process of obtaining legally recognized IP protections as well as discuss common IP pitfalls for microentrepreneurs. Registration is required.
Please click here if interested in participating.
NELP Small Business Remote Legal Clinic - Thursday, September 19th (4:30-6:30 PM)
A small business virtual legal clinic will be held over Zoom in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library, Business & Career Center & Pace University Small Business Development Center. Registration is required. Please click here if interested in participating.
NELP Small Business Employment Law Presentation - Thursday, September 26th (1:00-2:30 PM)
A small business virtual legal presentation will be held over Zoom in partnership with the Upper Manhattan Business Solutions Center. This presentation will engage microentrepreneurs in a discussion about worker classification and employer obligations. The webinar will clarify the differences between Independent Contractors and Employees and provide small business owners with steps to avoid misclassification. Registration is required. Please click here if interested in participating.
Click here to view a complete list
NELP Client Spotlight
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Youma’s Beauty
Husband and wife team, Moussa and Youma Niangadou, are the founders of Youma’s Beauty, an online beauty store devoted to empowering women with curly hair textures through quality hair products.
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To learn more about Youma’s Beauty and other NELP clients click here.
Latest news
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June 11, 2024
NELP and Partners Serve 40 Small Business Owners For National Small Business Month
In honor of National Small Business Month 2024, the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) held four Virtual Legal Clinics in May. The remote events provided free quality legal assistance to 40 small business owners and engaged 46 pro bono attorneys from Arnold & Porter LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom … Continue reading NELP and Partners Serve 40 Small Business Owners For National Small Business Month
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April 18, 2024
Corporate Transparency Act: What Small Businesses Need to Know
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went into effect on January 1, 2024, was enacted as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, intended to combat illegal finance and money laundering. It requires the reporting of beneficial ownership information with the United States Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by certain entities formed or registered in the United States.
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April 26, 2022
Micro-Entrepreneurs Go Digital: How the Pandemic Stimulated Online Business Growth and Opportunities
When the Covid pandemic swept through New York two years ago, our city looked to the online business community to access goods and services that were once found in brick-and-mortar stores. As a result, most business owners were forced to re-evaluate their business models to accommodate the growing demand for online shopping if they hoped to survive the pandemic.
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