Taking Care of Business
Law Students Help Start-Up Entrepreneurs Navigate the Legal Fundamentals of Running a Business
On March 6th, 2025, law students from U of M’s L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic presented “Start-up Law 101: Law for Entrepreneurs,” a webinar delivered in partnership with Futurpreneur.
The session was led by Connor Giesbrecht (3L) and Alli Knox (3L) [BComm./17]. The webinar covered the different business structures available to Manitoba entrepreneurs, the key aspects of incorporating a company, an introduction to contracts, and information about the different types of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyright, patents, trade secrets, and industrial design.
“Start-ups play a crucial role in Manitoba’s economy, but navigating the legal landscape can be daunting for new entrepreneurs,” says Giesbrecht. “Through this webinar, we aimed to provide practical, accessible advice to help Manitoba start-ups understand their legal options and avoid common pitfalls. We wanted to empower entrepreneurs with the legal knowledge they need to succeed in building sustainable businesses.”
Hands-On Learning through the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic
Through the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic, law students gain practical legal experience by helping Manitoban entrepreneurs and businesses with their need for legal information and assistance. Beyond individual client casework, the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic also engages in public education initiatives, like Futurpreneur webinars, to support business owners with the legal side of their careers. “Futurpreneur was proud to partner with the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic for this webinar, and the response from our community of young entrepreneurs across Manitoba was incredibly encouraging” said Noah Wilson, Senior Business Development Manager at Futurpreneur. “There’s a clear appetite for trusted, practical legal advice when starting a business, and the Clinic delivered just that by breaking down the essentials of legal structures, contracts, and intellectual property in a way that was easy to understand. Just as important, we were able to highlight the Clinic as an ongoing, pro-bono legal resource our entrepreneurs can turn to beyond the session”
Supporting the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
“Futurpreneur is Canada’s only national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18-39 with the tools they need to succeed.” shared Wilson. “Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of diverse young founders launch and grow businesses through a proven mix of early-stage financing, one-on-one mentorship, and accessible business resources. Our purpose is to drive inclusive Canadian prosperity by fueling the success of young enterprise and empowering entrepreneurs whose businesses contribute to long-term, sustainable economic development in their communities and across the country.” With over 18,700 young entrepreneurs helped to date, Futurpreneur is committed to making a difference—one entrepreneur at a time—and are excited to support entrepreneurs on their journey to business success.
The Business Law Clinic was grateful to collaborate with Futurpreneur. “We had a really engaged audience, who were eager to learn and actively participated throughout the session.” says Knox. “It was truly rewarding to share legal insights that not only sparked meaningful discussions but also helped demystify complex topics for entrepreneurs. Working with Futurpreneur allowed us to connect with individuals at the heart of innovation, and it was fulfilling to offer legal guidance that could have a tangible impact on their business journeys.”
Visit the Futurpreneur website to learn more about and its programs and events.