UW-Madison: WARF Gilson seminar tonight examines legal basics for starting a company

CONTACT: Janet Kelly, 608-890-1491

MADISON – Speakers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, which offers startup businesses the pro bono legal services of UW law students supervised by faculty and private sector attorneys, will discuss key legal issues confronting entrepreneurs at this evening’s Gilson Bootstrapping event. The program begins at 5 p.m. today (March 30) in the Town Center of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 330 N. Orchard St.

In addition, the speakers will offer insights about how to successfully manage the legal needs of young companies and avoid pitfalls. They also will describe the services of the free clinic, which now operates as part of the new Entrepreneurs’ Resource Clinic located along Randall Street on the northwest side of the Discovery building’s main floor. This lecture, along with other Gilson events, is offered free for entrepreneurs, students and anyone interested in the topic.

A networking reception will follow the program at 6 p.m. Parking is available starting at 4:30 p.m. in Lot 20, located across the street from the Town Center on University Avenue; as well as in Lot 17 near Engineering. While registration is not required, those interested in attending can help ensure appropriate seating is available by submitting brief information at http://gilsonseries.org.

Other Gilson Bootstrapping seminars being held over the next several weeks include:

– Market Research for Startups, April 5

– Patent Pooling, April 19

The Gilson Bootstrapping Series, which is being held in addition to other Gilson-named events, is presented by WARF in partnership with UW-Madison’s Schools of Business and Law, Office of Corporate Relations and Medical Device Technology Office. Additional partners include BioForward and UW Extension’s Small Business Development Center.

The series is made possible due to a generous gift bequeathed to WARF in 2002 from the estate of UW-Madison alumnus, faculty member and entrepreneur Warren Gilson to promote entrepreneurialism in Wisconsin. Since 2005, WARF has hosted a series of events in his name to help connect the university with the Madison community.