Daniel CurridenHelping Businesses During COVID-19
Our state’s small businesses suffered enormous challenges due to the impact of COVID-19. Many are struggling financially and do not have funding for legal help. It is for this reason that Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, local volunteer attorneys and law firms, and Clark County are coming together to create the Small Business Legal Advice Project. With this project, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada will match volunteer attorneys with small business owners who have legal questions.
Click here for the online application form. Complete all of the fields and read the Disclaimer and Certification before submitting.
The Small Business Legal Advice Project will answer questions about these topics:
- Understanding Emergency Directives and the impacts on business
- Employment issues
- Independent contractor issues and financial assistance options available
- Commercial evictions—when and to what extent are evictions permitted and what are tools business owners can use to mitigate issues
- FMLA benefits and what employers are expected to provide their employees under COVID-19 guidelines
- COVID-19 liability and when businesses might be liable for COVID-19 consequences experienced by business patrons and customers
- Click here to listen to an exclusive podcast from our friends at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck about the recent directives regarding commercial rent and evictions
The Small Business Legal Advice Project will not provide services related to:
- Taxes
- Criminal matters
- Direct legal representation in a case
Eligibility Requirements
- Projected business profit decrease of 25% or more since March 12, 2020
- Total business employees must be 25 or fewer as of March 1, 2020
- No financial means to hire an attorney based on current economic conditions
Process
Applicants must complete the online intake form and read the disclaimer and certification. This information will be reviewed for an eligibility determination. Eligible applicants will be notified and contacted by a pro bono attorney for an intake interview. The intake attorney may request supporting eligibility documentation and conduct a telephone interview to determine the specific assistance needed. The intake attorney will complete the appointment or, if the matter is complicated, may refer to a second participating attorney to respond to legal questions.
Please note if the intake form is incomplete and/or the certification is not signed and/or supporting documentation does not verify the information provided, we are not able to provide the requested legal assistance.
Other Resources
Clark County is offering the Small Business Protective Retrofit Grant, which will reimburse small businesses up to $5,000 to cover the costs of required new operating models and equipment. Applications are accepted from September 15 to December 13 or until funds are depleted here.
The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development also offers the Pandemic Emergency Technical Support (PETS) Grant, which may award $10,000 to businesses and non-profits that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. Applications are accepted between October 19 and November 2. Learn more or apply here.
As a part of the 2020 Economic Equity Tour, Caesars Foundation is offering a series of webinars from July 17 to October 9 that small business owners can sign up for to develop business and marketing skills. If you are interested, click here to sign up.
The State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry’s Business Resource Center provides other local, state and federal resources to assist your business during these uncertain times. Explore the many resource partners and services available to help you navigate new challenges here.
Additionally, our Small Business Triage FAQs are available to help small business owners navigate common issues and concerns occurring as a result of COVID-19.