Third-year law students at the University of Minnesota Multi-profession Business Law Clinic work with start-up and emerging businesses under the supervision of business law attorneys in the metropolitan area. On average, they provide assistance to between 12 and 15 MEDA clients a year, including proposal preparation, contract drafting and negotiation, business formation and corporate counseling.

MEDA enjoys this relationship, because it is a win-win for both organizations.

"The partnership between the law clinic and MEDA is two-fold," said Jan Jordet, MEDA director of fund development and marketing. "It's about helping the students gain real world, practical experience; and, it's about helping us meet the needs of our clients who might not otherwise have access to legal services necessary for business success."

"I have between 10 and 12 students a year," said Mary Alton, program director and clinical faculty. "They love it."

Clients also love it.

Bayo Mafe, co-owner of BCS Africa Wholesale Foods said the clinic helped him and the other co-owners, Charles CHiefredo and Stanley Jide, draft their business' articles of incorporation and create a buyer sell agreement.

Working with the law clinic "was a good experience," he said. "I have high hopes now on other things."

The partnership also allows clients who may not ordinarily seek help because they may not have enough information to recognize that legal assistance is necessary.

 "[Clients] often don't recognize their own needs," said Alton. "One of our challenges is to have clients that are interested in the services and are motivated."

The Law Clinic only provides transactional law assistance. Businesses involved in any kind of dispute resolution are not eligible.