Ask HN - I'm in legal training, how can I help the startup community?

3 points by bapbap 17y ago ↗ HN

I've got one year left until I obtain a law degree, then have a good few years of training and so on. My knowledge will be mostly UK based but I'm hoping to gain more knowledge of the US side of things.

Could my knowledge and eventually experience, be of benefit to the startup community and if so, how? Maybe a blog on law issues, an ask me questions blog, accessible rates for startups, maybe something else I haven't thought of?

The only snag is anything I publish (if I'm writing a blog) comes with the disclaimer that it shouldn't be taken as legal advice, which nearly defeats the purpose. Maybe I won't be of any use at all?! Maybe anything would be too boring for anyone not interested in law?

3 comments

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alnayyir 17y ago ↗

I can fairly easily think of how you can help.

The source and veracity of my legal knowledge is nebulous and not something I'll discuss here, but, I can help with the US side of things.

With regards to that, a procedural challenge has been made by the USPTO (patent office) to software patents. Investigate, pursue, and attempt to create a test case for it, see if you can reinforce it.

Should help open source, and startups in one shot. Have fun.

pelle 17y ago ↗

I have all kinds of ideas for you. Why not drop me a line at pelle at the name of my blog which you can find in my profile.

ScottWhigham 17y ago ↗

I think that the number one legal issue that new startups/founders run into is partnership issues - how to structure your company, what's in the Buy/Sell, how to dissolve, how to create cliffs, how vesting works. These are issues all small startups face and they are generic enough to draw a big audience. Best of luck!