The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) is partnering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law to conduct a free online workshop on Nov. 19 for entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting their first business during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has caused a job loss of unprecedented heights,” said Kim Vu-Dinh, director of the Business Innovations Clinic at Bowen. “At the Business Innovations Legal Clinic, we are getting a lot of calls from recently laid-off workers who are trying to pivot by making a living as a small business owner. A lot of our clients have never been business owners before, and it’s important that they position themselves to succeed.”

The webinar, “Pivot! Key Legal Issues to Consider When Starting a Business for the First Time,” will be held from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. The webinar will guide participants through the legal steps of starting a new business and the resources available to new business owners to assist with business planning and concept development.

“We are grateful to the Business Innovations Clinic for helping educate first-time business owners about the legal aspects of starting a business,” said Laura Fine, state director of ASBTDC. “Kim and the law students are offering an important service by showing small businesses how they can avoid legal pitfalls. I’m proud our university is actively supporting small business owners through ASBTDC and the legal clinic, particularly amid the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Business Innovations Clinic provides high-quality, pro bono transactional legal counsel to small businesses and nonprofits working in economic development. Marquisa Wince and Richard Wolford, law students who work in the clinic, will lead the webinar.

“The workshop my students will be giving walks the audience members through the major legal traps we see small business owners walk into,” Vu-Dinh said. “Hopefully, we can prevent that and get folks putting their best foot forward on this new path.”

Those who would like to attend the workshop may register on the ASBTDC website. For more information, call 501-683-7095.