David and I have known each other for several years through our pro-bono work in Durham County.  Like many attorneys, he is smart as a whip and has a knack for civil procedure and the rules of evidence.  What sets David apart is his practice philosophy.  David and I have a similar approach:  we take the time to understand our client’s needs and goals (and often cost parameters) and craft a legal solution that addresses all these factors. 

I have enjoyed collaborating with David in the past, and look forward to working with him in the future.  If you are involved in a contract dispute, have questions about ownership of your brand name, trademark, software or other intellectual property, or otherwise are involved in a business-related lawsuit, in my opinion, David is the right person to call.

The clinic will be held at the Small Business Center, SOUTHBank Building, 400 W Main St, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27701, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited. Please call for an appointment, (919) 686-3448.

Walk-ins are accepted, but plan to arrive early to fill in registration documents. Clients will be scheduled in groups for one-hour slots and will be able to talk individually to local attorneys for up to 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to registrants over walk-ins.

The clinic is held in conjunction with the North Carolina Bar Association’s 4ALL campaign, a day of public service by North Carolina attorneys who will donate time to helping low-income residents of North Carolina.

NC LEAP assists low-wealth entrepreneurs with their legal needs in starting or expanding their businesses through pro bono service by North Carolina business and transactional lawyers. Services range from basic transactional legal needs as struggling entrepreneurs strive to establish their business and create jobs, to potential long term client-counselor relations as their businesses grow.

The Durham Technical Community College Small Business Center is a state funded organization which is part of the Small Business Center Network of North Carolina. The Small Business Center (SBC) provides small business owners with information they need for success, including advice on marketing, sales, bookkeeping, and management.

Here is what Fortune said:

To hear local entrepreneurs tell it, Durham is putting the D in diversity. Once known for tobacco and textiles, today it’s part of The Research Triangle, the world’s largest research and development center. The city is home to an array of high-tech, medical and financial services companies, as well as federal agencies and educational institutions.

The locals are a highly educated bunch: Duke University, North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College employ and train area residents. Business support organizations like the Institute for Minority Economic Development and the Women’s Business Center offer the resources entrepreneurs need to thrive.

The city’s strong sense of community helps its assorted enterprises and individuals come together. It’s the kind of place where businesses embrace struggling local schools by donating supplies, volunteering classroom speakers and hosting field trips.

Living, business and construction costs remain low compared to national averages. Another local perk: Durham offers plenty of ways to unwind after a hard day’s work, from kayaking and hiking to performance art and gallery tours.

I’d love to hear from people who have started in Durham and in other places. What has the Bull City experience been like?