We provide free civil legal assistance to eligible entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits. For our nonprofit clients, we represent those who serve and support low-income communities.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Small Businesses:
• Business formation
• Employment issues
• Contracts
• Trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets
• Commercial leases
• Real estate purchases
• Zoning, licensing and regulation guidance
• Tax issues
• Franchising guidance
Nonprofits:
- Incorporation
- Tax-exemption
- Corporate compliance
- Trademarks & copyrights
- Commercial leases
- Employment issues
- Real estate purchases
- Zoning, licensing and regulatory guidance
- Contracts
Working with community partners and law firms, we offer the following services:
- Presentations on legal issues for entrepreneurs and nonprofits
- Legal information sessions to speak one-on-one with an attorney
Counties we serve:
Adair, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, St. Charles, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Warren and Washington.
To qualify for services please complete one of the relevant forms below and email it to ced@lsem.org or return it by mail, as listed on the form.
Contact us at:
314.256.8752 / ced@lsem.org
Staff
- Marlene Elliott, Managing Attorney
- Richard Sisson, Paralegal
Additional Resources:
- HOW TO COMPLETE THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION (BOI) REPORT
- Entrepreneur Checklist: For-Profit Legal Planning
- For-Profit Businesses: Resources and Referrals
- Nonprofit Checkist: Nonprofit Legal Planning
- Nonprofit Businessess: Resources and Referrals
- The How-To Manual for Starting a Pro Bono Legal Program for Entrepreneurs
- Recording of St. Louis City Business Recovery Resource Forum, 7/17/25