Got Legal Questions?
Do you have legal questions about your business or nonprofit? Do you want to meet with an attorney to get answers – for free?
Philadelphia VIP is excited to launch the Ask an Attorney program for small businesses and nonprofits! Built off of the back of our initial response to the pandemic, when in-person legal clinics were impossible but our clients still had legal questions, VIP now offers Philadelphia’s nonprofits and small businesses free one-hour attorney consultations either in-person or virtually.
Complete our application, which takes about 15 minutes, and VIP will make sure your business or nonprofit is eligible for our free services. If you are eligible, we’ll search for a volunteer attorney to give you a personalized assessment of your legal needs and answers to your most pressing legal questions.
Have you ever wondered…
- Should I remain as a sole proprietor or incorporate as an LLC?
- What are my rights as a commercial tenant?
- What are my responsibilities regarding business taxes?
- How do I create subsidiary entities or DBAs?
- What are the necessary steps to establish a 501(c)(3) organization?
- What are my options regarding a breach of contract?
- Should I establish a nonprofit or for-profit entity?
- Is my name and/or logo eligible for a trademark?
- What are my options for appealing an administrative decision?
- What are the legal requirements for hiring employees or using independent contractors?
If you’ve had legal questions like these, apply for Ask an Attorney to get answers for free.
Mi Salud’s Story
Keila was volunteering with her local church, providing basic wellness training for members of the community, when the church leadership approached her about running a formal wellness program. With an education in public health, Keila was well-qualified to run vital programs focused on diabetes prevention, healthy eating habits, and mental health.
Keila accepted the invitation and started learning more about what she needed to run the program. Quickly, she realized that the best solution was to form a nonprofit. But building a nonprofit from the ground up can be complicated, especially in the midst of the pandemic. Keila reached out to Philadelphia VIP to register for an Ask an Attorney consultation.
Keila met with her attorney and laid out her questions. She learned how to file for tax-exempt status, as well as the annual filing requirements after obtaining her 501(c)(3) status. Just a few months after reaching out to VIP for help, Keila used what she learned to launch her organization: Mi Salud, a nonprofit providing varied health promotion, disease prevention, and wellness services in the heart of the Feltonville community in North Philadelphia.
Past Events
A big thank you to those who attended MZA Legal and Philadelphia VIP’s workshop on business licensing in Philadelphia. We hope the presentation gave you some clarity in identifying your business licensing requirements. For those who were unable to attend the event, you have access to the recording here, as well as the ‘Making Sense of Small Business Licensing‘ Handout.
Upcoming Events
Contracts for Businesses on Thursday, July 21 from 4-5:15 pm, where you can learn how to draft, negotiate, and enforce your business agreements. Join Philadelphia VIP, Saint-Gobain, and Holland & Knight for an interactive workshop on contract issues. Eligible participants may have the opportunity to receive free one-on-one legal assistance with their contract. This an event for clients with eligible businesses, if you or someone you know would benefit from it, sign up!