How do I become an IJ Clinic client?

Instead of being a walk-in service and providing legal assistance on individual legal matters, the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship forges meaningful, long-term relationships with a small group of entrepreneurial clients and focuses on helping them achieve their dreams. While we represent a limited number of clients at a time, we are happy to refer you to other legal services and share additional resources for entrepreneurs in the Chicago area.

To be considered a client of the IJ Clinic, please fill out our contact form and include the following information in your submission: the number of people in your household, the total annual income of your household, total annual business revenue, and a list of your current legal needs. If you’re eligible for our services, we will then forward you the application link to be filled out, and then be interviewed by the IJ Clinic team.

Some of the legal services we provide to entrepreneurs include:

  • Set up a business organization.
  • Structure relationships among founders and investors.
  • Negotiate a lease.
  • Draft and negotiate contracts.
  • Advise on employees and independent contractors.
  • Protect intellectual property.
  • Apply for licenses and permits.
  • Understand and comply with regulations.

Please note, the IJ Clinic does not litigate for clients.

Client Eligibility Criteria

The IJ Clinic takes a holistic look at every applicant – the most basic requirements to be a client are as follows:

  • Founders of the business are under-resourced. Dependent on household size, annual household income must be at or below 500% of the federal poverty level guidelines.
  • You’re interested in working long term and closely with the IJ Clinic to answer your legal questions
  • The business must/plan to be a for-profit entity.
  • Your business aims to make a difference in your family and the community with momentum to grow.
  • The business must be physically located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, preferably within the limits of the City of Chicago.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and believe our legal services would be beneficial to your business, please reach out to us via our contact form or by phone at (773) 834-3129. The more information you provide, the better we will be able to determine whether or not your business is a good fit for the IJ Clinic.

Please be aware the IJ Clinic does not offer walk-in appointments and is not a drop-in clinic during normal business hours.

IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship

Are your legal needs urgent?

If you have urgent legal needs that involve: bankruptcy, criminal cases, custody, evictions, divorces, probate, employment/worker’s compensation.
Please contact CARPLS: 312-738-9200, Legal Aid Chicago: 312-341-1070, or Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS): 312-332-1624

Have questions about having a non-profit?

While we don’t provide legal services for non-profit entities, we can steer you to helpful resources and organization(s) that can help you!

If your nonprofit will advance racial equality and/or serve low-income communities, please fill out the Application for Nonprofit Startup Legal Assistance.
If you don’t have the above criteria or are not ready to apply, we recommend attending the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Emerging Nonprofit Bootcamp.