Since its founding in 1981 in collaboration with Wharton, Entrepreneurial Law Clinic The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s (ELC) has helped launch a wide variety of businesses, including restaurants, artists and arts organizations, fashion ventures, health science companies, and environmental businesses.
Image: Courtesy of Penn Carey LLP
Under the guidance of faculty with decades of experience as business lawyers, students support entrepreneurs and owners through everything from drafting and reviewing operating and vendor agreements to providing management and employment advice and counseling clients on intellectual property. ELC’s clients include a mix of for-profit and non-profit organizations, many of which have a social impact mission and make positive contributions to their neighborhoods and society at large.
Praveen KosuriThe associate dean for clinical education, director of the ELC and professor of legal practice conceived the social impact-focused clinic that has become a national model. He describes the clinic’s work as “grassroots economic development.” The ELC is one of eight in-house clinics that make up Gitis Legal Clinic, Penn Carey Law’s teaching law firm.
As a premier experiential education opportunity, ELC offers students the opportunity to engage in real legal work and apply what they learn in the classroom. Up to 16 students per semester spend approximately 20 hours per week on courses that include classroom learning and direct client work.
The students, who won the University of Pennsylvania’s inaugural Presidential Sustainability Award in 2022 for developing a filter that captures microplastics on synthetic clothing before they leave the washing machine and enter waterways, turned to the clinic to provide valuable legal advice and guide their company, Balena, through some growing pains. Now the company continues to grow with a new corporate partner who agreed to try out the filters in their repair, testing and design center.
“They’re just beginning to form a professional identity here at the clinic,” Kosli said, “They’re not just learning what a lawyer does, they’re learning what a lawyer is, and that’s what I really want to instill in them.”
Yousef Ahmad assisted Balena in negotiating contracts with local laboratories for product testing and development, helped develop corporate governance rules, and advised the company on future strategic partnerships. “It was rewarding to help lead an impactful company that aims to make the world a cleaner place,” Ahmad says. “The experience was amazing.”
Learn more at Penn Carey Law.
