Small Business Legal Assistance
The Small Business Legal Assistance program provides FREE individual counseling and legal workshops to Seattle-based businesses seeking assistance in re-establishing operations after COVID-related disruption, as well as addressing business needs in a challenging economic recovery climate. Consulting services provided under the Small Business Legal Assistance program will help small businesses implement sustainable solutions around complex legal issues associated with owning and operating a small business, as well as addressing operational strategies that include, but are not limited to:
- Individual consultation with legal professionals
- Corporate and intellectual property education
- Commercial leasing and landlord/tenant issue resources and education
- Access to business specific legal reference materials
- Special programming tailored to underrepresented business owners in the City of Seattle
- Legal clinics and resource development on issues pertaining to small business operations
For questions, translation or interpretation, technical assistance, disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats or accessibility information, please contact Michael Wells (he/him/his), Small Business Advocate, at Michael.Wells@seattle.gov or (206) 724-5480.
Legal Consultants
Communities Rise fosters movements to build power in communities impacted by systematic oppression. To create an equitable system, we pursue cross-sector collaboration, and provide capacity building and legal services for community organizations and small businesses.
Legal support tools and one on one consulting for small businesses with an emphasis on women and minority owned businesses.
General Inquiries
smallbiz@communities-rise.org
Whether you have a long-established business or just beginning to plan a new business, Seattle Public Library resources are free to use through the Library to Business Program. Library to Business offer dozens of classes and workshops every year in partnership with local organization.
Additional library resources:
- Legal clinics
- Reference tools
- One-on-one consulting for small businesses
Jay Lyman
Library to Business Supervising Librarian
Seattle Public Library
Jay.Lyman@spl.org
Any Seattle-based small business owner or operator, with an emphasis on women and minority small business owners, particularly those operating in “low-income communities” as defined by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), are eligible for Small Business Legal Assistance.
What advice does the Small Business Legal Assistance program provide?
The Legal Assistance program can provide advice in the following topics:
- Commercial leasing
- Landlord/tenant negotiations and communications
- Intellectual property rights
- And more!
Questions about OED’s Legal Assistance program, please contact Michael Wells (he/him/his), Small Business Advocate, at Michael.Wells@seattle.gov or (206) 724-5480.
Who is eligible for this program?
Any Seattle based small business owner or operator, with an emphasis on women and minority small business owners, particularly those operating in “low-income communities” as defined by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA).
The City of Seattle encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. For additional questions, translation or interpretation, technical assistance, disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats, or accessibility information, please contact the Office of Economic Development at (206) 684-8090 or oed@seattle.gov.