This story was submitted by SPZ Legal.
SPZ Legal is a boutique law firm that provides outside general counsel legal services to startup companies and venture capital funds. For the past few years, SPZ has served as the supervising law firm to the University of California Berkeley’s Startup Law Initiative (SLI) where attorneys and students work together to complete the incorporation process and certain post-incorporation legal tasks for underrepresented startup founders on a pro bono basis.
In 2023, SPZ dedicated 2.0% of its collective attorney time towards supporting the SLI program. The legal landscape for startups can be a daunting terrain, especially for those who may face additional barriers due to their backgrounds. SPZ aims to level the playing field, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse communities have equal access to the legal resources necessary for establishing their businesses. The program includes the following features:
- Legal training and experiential learning for approximately 20 participating students in the SLI clinic every fall and spring semester
- Incorporation as a Delaware corporation for solo and co-founded startups led by women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and veteran owned founders
- Post-incorporation support with services agreements
- Virtual workshop led by the student teams in which they present on common legal issues for early stage businesses
This philanthropic endeavor goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility, demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurial space. Additionally, aspiring lawyers at Berkeley Law receive training and real world experience working with the talent SPZ Legal team. During the course of the year, SPZ Legal, in partnership with SLI, has provided pro bono legal support to twelve startup companies in various industries, some of which have gone on to raise angel financings and venture capital.
Startups play a vital role in driving innovation and economic growth. By extending pro bono legal services to underrepresented founders, SPZ Legal is not only assisting individual entrepreneurs but also fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. SPZ Legal believes that as these startups thrive, so too does the overall diversity and vibrancy of the business world.
This initiative serves as an inspiration for other legal institutions to explore ways they can contribute to a more equitable future for entrepreneurs from all walks of life.
