FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VENTURE LAW 2.0 ANNOUNCES NEW ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
April 14, 2017, Miami, FL – Dade Legal Aid is pleased to announce the launch of Venture Law 2.0 and to introduce new advisory board members. Launched with seed funding from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2014 as Dade Legal Aid’s Venture Law Project, today Venture Law 2.0 continues to serve South Florida’s thriving entrepreneurial community as a hub for early-stage entrepreneurs in need of legal assistance. There is great potential for entrepreneurs in Miami, one of the largest metropolitan areas with the most start up activity in the U.S., and Venture Law 2.0 aims to ensure that these early stage entrepreneurs begin on solid legal footing. From the beginning stages, lawyers play a crucial role in shaping and protecting a new business and its owners. “We are excited to continue contributing to the infrastructure of Miami’s startup community,” said Karen Ladis, executive director of Dade Legal Aid, the oldest civil legal services provider in Miami-Dade, County. “Through Venture Law 2.0, pro bono attorneys play a crucial role in Miami’s startup ecosystem, benefiting both local startups and the community as a whole.” Lawyers across the state are encouraged to get involved and support their local legal aid office. Dade Legal Aid’s newest endeavor, Venture Law 2.0 is the perfect way for business and intellectual property lawyers to give back.
Venture Law 2.0 pro bono attorneys assist with legal issues commonly facing startups, such as: Which legal entity is most appropriate for the business? How will ownership be divided? How can the business best protect its intellectual property? As part of the project’s continued growth and visibility in the community, an advisory board, volunteers and law students will bring their energy and sophistication to optimize Venture Law 2.0’s development, expansion and impact in the community.
VLP 2.0 Advisory Board
Co-Chairs
Ashley Juchawski and Kristen Corpion
Operations Committee
Dustin Keeney, John Fulton, Marissa Hight, and Zachariah Evangelista
Community Outreach & Events Committee
Monica Reyes, Feras Ahmed and Ed Vidal
Fundraising Committee
Jessica Shraybman and Crystal Collier
Marketing Committee
Shezan Mumtaz, Kingsley Nwamah and Armando Hernandez
Executive Director
Karen Ladis
Through Venture Law 2.0, entrepreneurs can gain access to trainings, materials, workshops and clinics featuring trending topics at local incubators, as well as referrals to a panel of pro bono attorneys and direct representation for those that meet the income criteria. Pro bono attorneys are encouraged to sign up to screen prospective clients and accept qualifying cases, volunteer at the program’s legal clinics, speak on panels, host talks, or serve as mentors to other attorneys.” Throughout the year, Venture Law 2.0 hosts several law students including Patricia Pena of St. Thomas University School of Law and Nina Hakoun and Felix Cruz from Nova Southeastern University, College of Law. For more information, please visit www.venturelawproject.com or www.dadelegalaid.org.