Entrepreneurs who have been operating their businesses, as well as those with brand new ideas and ventures, are welcome to join licensed attorneys to establish their legal Illinois entities.

Attorneys will advise on entity choice and help founders prepare organization or incorporation filings for the Illinois Secretary of State. The Polsky Exchange is hosting this event for attorneys assist entrepreneurs in establishing entities to mitigate personal risk and financial consequences.

Entrepreneurs attending will receive pro bono (free) legal services from independent attorneys. Please note that attorneys cannot pay filing fees on behalf of clients; business owners will receive free legal consultation and help in preparing the incorporation or organization paperwork and will have to pay the filing fees for their entity (usually $150 for a single LLC or corporation).

Be sure to bring a government ID, a bank or credit card to pay the filing fee(s) if you want to file on the same day, and all of the individuals in person who have ownership in the entity.

You can prepare for this event by watching the Incorporation Basics workshop by Emily Underwood, Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Bluhm-Helfand Director of the Innovation Clinic or attend a live workshop on Choosing an Entity on October 18. These workshops explore the process of incorporation for startups which covers how to choose what type of entity you will form, how to choose the jurisdiction where you will form the entity, and what other factors to consider when forming a new entity.