Free Legal Help for Small Businesses & Nonprofits

The Legal Aid Society of Columbus is holding drop-in hours for small businesses and nonprofits at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Library on Wednesday, October 21, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. It's a chance to sit down with an attorney and get legal advice without having to book a formal appointment. These sessions run on Wednesday mornings, so if you can't make this one, there are more coming.

The range of what they cover is pretty broad. For nonprofits, that means things like incorporating, drafting by-laws, internal governance, fundraising regulations, and interpreting IRS rules. If you're running a for-profit, they handle for-profit incorporation, commercial lease reviews, property acquisition and zoning, and contract drafting. There's also help for social enterprises that sit somewhere in between.

One thing to keep in mind is that the free services are for eligible businesses and nonprofits. The Legal Aid Society's Community Economic Development team determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis, looking at an organization's ability to pay, the income of its members, and who it serves. For businesses, it generally comes down to income. If you don't qualify for the free services, they'll make referrals to other legal resources so you aren't just left hanging.

The sessions take place in the Business & Nonprofit Resource Center, a dedicated workspace for small businesses and nonprofits within the Main Library at 96 South Grant Avenue. It's staffed by specialized librarians and equipped with Windows and Mac computers running Adobe Creative Cloud, and there's a private meeting room you can reserve. The Legal Aid Society says it's committed to creating an environment of prosperity for all central Ohioans by supporting nonprofit leaders, small business owners, and local advocates. Drop-in hours are Wednesday mornings, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.