Small businesses, especially those that are family-owned or with just a few employees, might not have an attorney on call. But if a legal problem comes up, there may not be time pick the right adviser. Before you need the help, it makes sense to ask other successful business owners for a recommendation and make the connection with a trusted lawyer before you need one.

Right now, Santa Clara University is offering a chance for a free consultation with a legal or business expert – on Saturday, October 16. This flyer provides more details, and you can sign up for a free appointment here. Here are some of the issues that might be problems for your business right now:

• Founders' agreements
• Entity choice (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.)
• Licensing and other regulations
• Financing
• Hiring, firing, overtime, employee issues
• Independent contractor versus employee classification
• Equity compensation
• Licensing agreements
• Restricted stock & shareholders’ agreements
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Intellectual property
• Protection (trademarks, copyrights, patents, etc.)
• Privacy issues
• Website Terms of Use
• Commercial lease agreements
• Customer and vendor contracts

In addition, the City of San Jose works with non-profit, community-based organizations that provide free or low-cost business and legal support to businesses. These partners include:

• Start Small Think Big
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
• Santa Clara University Entrepreneur’s Law Clinic
• SCORE Silicon Valley
• Small Business Development Center
• AnewAmerica
• Minority Business Development Agency