The Wire
July 26, 2011

For the second time in a year, Corporate Pro Bono partnered with the Minnesota ACC Chapter, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), and Dorsey & Whitney LLP* to host a Clinic-in-a-Box℠ in Minneapolis. The Clinic, held at the offices of Dorsey & Whitney on July 14, gave 32 in-house attorneys a chance to serve 10 minority-owned small business clients. A range of Minnesota-based legal departments were represented, including Best Buy, Xcel Energy, Target, Mayo Clinic**, TCF Bank, and UnitedHealth Group**.

The two-part Clinic began with a training session led by expert attorneys from Dorsey & Whitney, covering areas of law that commonly affect small businesses, such as real estate, tax, corporate, employment, and intellectual property. During the second portion of the Clinic, teams of in-house lawyers met with small business owners to conduct a legal audit. Attorneys also discussed with clients more specific legal needs that the clients had identified in advance of the Clinic. As one volunteer commented, the lawyers were able to spend “time with our clients on very important issues that I believe will ensure the viability of the business[es].”

To the extent that the lawyers discovered issues that will require ongoing assistance, the in-house participating attorneys along with those from Dorsey & Whitney will continue to provide counsel.

It was “an amazing experience,” said one client. The Clinic “was so helpful and appreciated,” said another.

MEDA, which supports the creation and development of minority-owned businesses, recruited the clients to participate. The clients represented a variety of industries, including technology, medicine, construction, and education.

For more information about the Clinic-in-a-Box℠ program, or to learn about other resources CPBO has to offer, please contact CPBO Director Eve Runyon at erunyon@probonoinst.org.

*denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
**denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge℠