Sept. 22 Seminar To Offer Legal Advice for Region’s Entrepreneurs

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A little legal knowledge can go a long way for entrepreneurs when they plan a new business.

That's one of the messages business lawyer Adam Riley will bring to local business hopefuls at the next seminar in the "Build Your Own Job Seminar Series," sponsored by the Lindsey Wilson College Center for Entrepreneurship.

The seminar -- which is free and open to the public -- will be at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.

Riley will emphasize a couple of messages in his talk. One point is that new business operators should keep their legal activities and investments simple in the early stages.

"In most cases, forming a limited liability corporation -- commonly referred to as an LLC -- is the best start-up approach," Riley said. "You can set it up yourself with a limited amount of instruction, and you can readily adapt it to future needs."

A second point is to consult with a business attorney as firm expands its operations and workforce. Legal expertise is needed to help handle issues such as workplace safety regulations, pay requirements and human resource systems.

Riley began his business career as a chemical engineer with a manufacturing firm in the Chicago area. His work with lawyers got him interested in legal challenges in such areas as environment and labor relations.

"The attorneys I worked with seemed to really like what they were doing, so I thought I'd do that too," Riley said.

Riley graduated from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and later formed a firm, Riley & Thomas in Louisville, that helps small businesses navigate the legal system.

Later seminars in the series are:

* Oct. 20: "Establishing Business Communication";
* Nov. 17: "Accounting Practices and Programs."

To register for a seminar or to get additional information, contact LWC Director of Community Education and Outreach Linda Grider at griderl@lindsey.edu or (270) 384-7385.