Legal Resources
Sponsored by: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Legal Resources
We're Happy You're Here
By coupling our understanding of the LGBTQ+ community with the bench strength of a full service law firm, we offer a truly unique approach to legal counsel. Whether our clients have questions about how to structure their business for future growth and reduced tax exposure, how to protect trade secrets and other assets from unlawful misappropriation or theft, or how to address a myriad of labor, employment or contractual concerns, our attorneys understand and have the authenticity necessary to effectively counsel LGBTQ+ businesses. Our experience advising LGBTQ+ businesses includes working with clients across multiple industries, including professional services, commercial and residential real estate acquisition, development, and management, nonprofit organizations, food service and hospitality industry, and beauty and personal care. Regardless of the industry, stage of business, or corporate structure, we work with business owners to enable a path that avoids challenges, minimizes risk, and leverages the opportunities for success.
Taxation
Common tax issues faced by small business owners and what one should do to minimize or avoid them
Entity Formation
The multiple ways in which to setup a business and how to choose one form of entity over another. This presentation covers o Sole Proprietorships o Profit Corporations o Non-Profit Corporations o Limited Liability Companies o Partnerships o Special Entities
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- Sole Proprietorships
- Profit Corporations
- Non-Profit Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies
- Partnerships
- Special Entities
Trademarks, Copyrights, and IP
Trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property issues of concern to businesses
Building your LGBTQ+ business: Avoiding legal pitfalls that could derail your LGBTQE certification
How to become certified as an LGBTBE and the advantages of certification
Law Alert
Of the 4.5% of United States adults who openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, data shows they are younger and less wealthy than the general population. Consequently, LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs face more challenges than most other U.S. adults.
Recognizing these challenges, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ businesses, has created benefits for LGBTQ+ businesses and major corporations who are invested in creating an LGBTQ-inclusive supply chain. These benefits include increased procurement opportunities, training/mentoring on best practices, scholarships, and matchmaking events for LGBTQ businesses and corporate procurement representatives.
Applying for LGBTBE Certification
Real Estate
Navigating common real estate challenges for emerging and growing businesses. This presentation discusses deciding whether to purchase or lease real estate.
Contract Negotiation and Drafting
Contract negotiation and drafting issues faced by small businesses
Helpful Links
Want to Learn More About Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP?
As part of Porter Wright’s continuing efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, the firm has established an employee resource group open to those who are members or allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The Equality Alliance focuses on outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, internal practices, policies and procedures, professional development, business development, and recruiting and retention among LGBTQ+ attorneys and staff. The steering committee includes representatives from all Porter Wright offices. Their primary initiative is to bring together attorneys and staff who are passionate and committed to this firm wide effort.
The Equality Alliance worked with firm leadership to change or update policies to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, including updating the non-discrimination policy to be more inclusive and creating policies for vendor/supplier non-discrimination, gender affirming bathroom policy and supportive policy and procedures for transitioning in the workplace.
The group spearheaded joining the Human Rights Campaign Business Coalition for Equality, the HRC Corporate Equality Index and the Mansfield Rule law firm diversity program. It provides each office opportunities to support LGBTQ+ businesses, offer information and education on LGBTQ+ issues as well as coordinating community and Porter Wright Pride events.
The Equality Alliance is proud to support the firm’s LGBTQ+ Business practice group. Porter Wright is uniquely qualified to counsel LGBTQ+ businesses because the attorneys who make up the firm’s LGBTQ+ practice are LGBTQ+ themselves. They understand firsthand how important it is for the gay business community to have access to outstanding legal representation. They bring experience advising LGBTQ+ businesses in areas including real estate development, professional services, commercial and residential property acquisition and management, nonprofit organizations, personal care and hospitality.