LYNN — As the city’s small business owners continue to navigate through COVID-19 restrictions and financial challenges, a new, cost-free “legal help desk” aims to reduce some of that burden.
Jared Nicholson, a clinical professor of law at Northeastern University and member of the Lynn School Committee, has started a “Legal Help Desk for Lynn Small Businesses,” which consists of Northeastern law students providing free legal advice to city businesses.
Nicholson has partnered with the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Lynn (EDIC/Lynn), Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce and the North Shore Latino Business Association on the effort, which kicked off on Tuesday.
Under the supervision of Nicholson, law students will field legal questions, such as those pertaining to reopening under COVID-19 guidelines, financial assistance applications and commercial leases.
“I run what’s called a Community Business Clinic at Northeastern University School of Law,” said Nicholson. “We typically offer free legal help to small businesses. Normally, we work with about a dozen businesses over the course of a term. To be responsive to the current crisis, we’re pivoting to a brief advice model where we’re going to try to answer questions businesses have and (try to) be helpful one-on-one.”
As someone who attended law school during the Great Recession, Nicholson said he found it rewarding to be able to provide legal advice to those in need while learning the law at the same time.
“I think my students are excited about that opportunity, to be able to give back while they’re learning to be lawyers,” said Nicholson. “I hope it’s something that people find helpful. Everything is changing so quickly and there’s so much uncertainty and guidance coming out every day. I’m hoping that people will be able to use this as a resource to get some answers in those moments of uncertainty.”
James Cowdell, EDIC/Lynn executive director, said EDIC was “happy to partner in this worthwhile endeavor.
“This will provide free legal services to businesses. This will definitely be well received by the business community.”
Frances Martinez, North Shore Latino Business Association executive director, said her organization wants to be involved in anything that supports small businesses.
“It is a great service to be able to identify any information that business owners are not clear (about),” said Martinez. “This clinic will be very helpful to get businesses updates with information and (they will) not have to spend one cent in regards to it.”
She said free legal service is especially valuable during a time when many businesses are shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions. Generally, Martinez said business owners are having trouble with their rent and lease terms and what options are available to them during a time of emergency.
The top issue that owners are facing is feeling they are not able to understand all of the legal terms on their lease. Many are concerned they will lose their locations because they have not been able to pay their full monthly rents, she said.
There’s also uncertainty around staff members who have been unemployed and collecting unemployment during the pandemic shutdown, but will be returning to work, Martinez said.
“This is the first time this is going to be happening and we want to ensure that any questions anyone may have with legal terms, they’re going to have an answer to that,” said Martinez. “There’s a lot of people that are going to be facing issues.”
Half hour slots are available by video (Zoom) or phone. Businesses can sign up at www.bit.ly/NUCBC2020 for English sessions or at www.bit.ly/NUCBC-ES for Spanish sessions.
