LegalCORPS, legal assistance for entrepreneurs and small business owners with low-incomes, debuted its new website in mid-December 2023 offering an improved experience to visitors. After a yearlong process lead by Sarah Lewis, small business and nonprofit programs manager, and with the expertise of pro bono partner SKOL Marketing, LegalCORPS is excited to have a fresh and more navigable website that helps make business law more accessible.

In addition to a range of updated information, the new site makes it easier for both clients (entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and inventors) and supporters (community partners, volunteers, and donors) to access other useful resources. A new contact form will allow LegalCORPS to better serve clients, and the new site has already seen an uptick in requests for assistance since its introduction.

LegalCORPS, a partner organization of the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, was recently lauded by Derrick Brent, U.S. deputy undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property, at the Pathways to Inclusive Innovation conference at the University of Minnesota. Brent recognized Minnesota’s dedication to the provision of pro bono services particularly through the Pro Bono Patent Program, which operates through 23 regional programs, including LegalCORPS.

For nearly 20 years, LegalCORPS has provided free assistance in non-litigation business law matters to low-income owners of small businesses, small nonprofit organizations and low-income innovators and entrepreneurs in Minnesota — through the services of volunteer attorneys. As a nonprofit organization, its mission is to expand access to the legal system in business law to those who could not otherwise afford legal consultation and/or representation.

This year, LegalCORPS reached a major milestone in the 11-year history of its Inventor Assistance Program with the issuance of its100th patent to a client.

On achieving this milestone, executive director Nicole Deters said, “We are a unique organization in the U.S as there are just not legal aid agencies offering the wholistic services that are offered here in Minnesota. When the United States Patent and Trademark Office decided to implement a patent pro bono program, they came to LegalCORPS to design the national program based on how we were doing things here. That is a proud history for LegalCORPS and reaching 100 patents with our clients is a significant program triumph for not just LegalCORPS but for the patent pro bono program across the country.”

Learn more about the Pro Bono Patent Program in Minnesota LegalCorps recognized for pro bono work supporting emerging entrepreneurs, from the Star Tribune.