How to Become an Entrepreneurship and Community Development (ECD) Clinic Client
Who can become a client?
Missouri residents, nonprofits, or for-profits that need legal assistance in the ECD Clinic's practice areas may complete the Prospective Client Intake Form to request such assistance.
Clients are selected considering a variety of factors, including the 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 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).
Generally, the ECD Clinic does not litigate, provide bankruptcy services, provide advice concerning securities law or tax law compliance, or provide intellectual property services. Also, the ECD Clinic does not field quick questions or accept walk-ins.
How do I become a client?
Contact the ECD Clinic by completing the Prospective Client Intake Form. If you do not have internet access, please call (314) 977-2778 to request that a student call you back to complete the form by phone.
Your request will be evaluated based on a number of criteria, and someone from the ECD Clinic may contact you for more information about your needs. The information provided in the Prospective Client Intake Form is needed to help make a preliminary evaluation concerning whether the ECD Clinic can assist you. Importantly, completing the form does not create any attorney-client relationship. It is merely a request for free legal services.
If the ECD Clinic believes it may be able to offer you legal services, you will be contacted to set up an intake interview. If the ECD Clinic is able to offer you legal assistance, any agreement to provide legal services will be set out in an engagement letter.
The ECD Clinic serves the majority of its clients during the academic year (mid-August through December and January through early May). The Clinic generally adds new clients at the beginning of each semester (August and January).
How much does it cost?
The ECD Clinic provides legal services to clients free of charge. However, clients are responsible for paying all third-party costs associated with the representation (e.g., filing fees, application fees, appraisals).