Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP)

10/12/2026

Starting a small business or have legal questions about your existing one?

Join the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) for a free small business legal clinic on October 22nd, 2026!

Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a volunteer attorney for a 45-minute consultation covering topics such as business formation, contracts, employment matters, commercial leases, and intellectual property.

✅ Registration is required.

06/18/2026

Over half of workers in New York State do not have access to retirement benefits through their employer. The New York State Secure Choice Savings Program gives private‑sector employees a simple way to save for retirement through a Roth IRA at no cost to employers.

New York employers are required to register for and facilitate the New York Secure Choice program if they have 10 or more employees, do not offer a qualified retirement plan, and have been in business for at least two years.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will host two information sessions at the Business and Career Center, Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch on Monday, June 22:

📍Location: Event Room, Business & Career Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238

📅Date: Monday, June 22

🕔 5:00 PM for employees

🕡 6:30 PM for employers

Those who register and attend the information session will learn:
•How the program works and what it offers
•Who is eligible to participate
•The role of employers in facilitating the program
•What the program means for employees
•How employers can get started and help their teams save for retirement

To register for this event, visit BPL'S website at: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/get-ready-save-for-central-library-business-20260622-0500pm

For more information on New York Secure Choice visit their site here: https://newyorksecurechoice.com

We encourage all interested individuals to register for the event and attend to gain valuable insight into how this program can support retirement readiness across New York.

Do you want to save for retirement but don’t know how to start? Did your employer recently add you to New York Secure Choice? Learn how you can start saving for retirement with the state’s new retirement savings program and make contributions into your own Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA...

06/09/2026

Please join us on Thursday, June 25th for an IN-PERSON Small Business Legal Clinic being held at the City Bar Justice Center in partnership with the Women’s Venture Fund. Not only will you have the opportunity to have your small business-related legal questions answered, but you can meet the NELP team as well as the outstanding attorneys who volunteer with us!

Entrepreneurs and small business owners will be able to sit down for an individual consultation with volunteer lawyers to address legal questions tied to starting, operating, or growing their own small businesses.

📍Location: City Bar Justice Center, 42 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036.
📅Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
⏰Time: 3:30- 5:45PM; Registration is required.

Please scan the QR code or use this link if you are interested in participating: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/LHkXwq1gEy?origin=lprLink

We can't wait to see you and help support our small business community!

06/04/2026

The NYC Office of the Comptroller has teamed up with the Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) to offer interest-free loans of up to $60,000 for eligible low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in New York City, Westchester, or Long Island.

Funds can be used to launch or grow a small business. Repayment can be spread over 12–36 months and will begin three months after the loan is disbursed. To apply, complete the online application, submit required financial and business documents, provide eligible guarantor information, complete identity verification, and participate in a loan interview. Applications are reviewed monthly by HFLS’s Small Business Committee. For more information and to apply, visit the HFLS’s website at: https://hfls.org/loan-programs/small-business/

So, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your business to the next level, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

The Interest Free Small Business Loan Program provides loans up to $60,000 to help launch or expand a business in New York and surrounding areas. Apply online here.

06/02/2026

Celebrating Small Business Month: NELP in Action!

May is Small Business Month, and NELP spent it doing what we do best — showing up for New York City's entrepreneurs.

This month, we hosted 3 free legal clinics serving 34 small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each participant received a 45-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney, covering everything from business formation and contracts to intellectual property, hiring, and compliance.

Our clinics supported a diverse range of entrepreneurs — from artists and consultants to wellness businesses and creative ventures — all looking for trusted legal guidance to start, operate, and grow.

We also brought two educational webinars to the community:

Our Employment Law webinar, in partnership with the Upper Manhattan Business Solutions Center, helped 12 attendees navigate worker classification and employer obligations — a critical area where small missteps can lead to big consequences.

And our Intellectual Property webinar, hosted in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center and the Pace University Small Business Development Center, drew 32 entrepreneurs for an overview of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents.

All told: 3 clinics, 2 webinars, 78 entrepreneurs served, and a whole lot of questions answered. That's what Small Business Month looks like at NELP.

05/19/2026

Come out and meet the NELP team and our amazing volunteer attorneys!

The Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) will be hosting an IN-PERSON Small Business Legal Clinic in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library’s Business & Career Center and Pace University Small Business Development Center.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with volunteer attorneys to discuss legal questions related to starting, running, or growing their businesses.

📍 Location: 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238
🗓️ Registration is required.
Please click here if interested in participating: https://forms.office.com/r/6muxhdQi3J

We look forward to connecting with you in the community!

04/08/2026

Have legal questions related to starting a small business? NELP is hosting a legal clinic on April 30th, 2026. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a volunteer attorney for a 45-minute consultation to help them navigate key legal topics, including entity formation, contracts, employment issues, commercial leasing, and intellectual property. Registration is required.

04/06/2026

A remote small business legal clinic will be held in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Business Solutions Center. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a volunteer attorney for a 45-minute consultation to help them navigate key legal topics, including entity formation, contracts, employment issues, commercial leasing, and intellectual property. Registration is required.

03/30/2026

A remote small business legal clinic will be held in partnership with the Upper Manhattan Business Solutions Center & Washington Heights Business Solutions Center. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a volunteer attorney for a 45-minute consultation to help them navigate key legal topics, including entity formation, contracts, employment issues, commercial leasing, and intellectual property. Registration is required.

03/24/2026

The Brooklyn Public Library is hosting From Plan to Plate: Food Entrepreneurship Series, a five-part program designed to guide aspiring food business owners from concept to real-world operations.

This series dives into:
🍽️ Market research
📊 Food industry trends
🎨 Branding essentials
💬 A panel of PowerUP competition founders sharing their firsthand experiences launching food businesses in Brooklyn

If you know any entrepreneurs, new or seasoned, who could benefit from these sessions, please share this opportunity with your community. Let’s support the next wave of Brooklyn food innovators.

To view the programs and registration details, please visit:
https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?search=from+plan+to+plate&event=true