The Macomber Entrepreneurial and Transactional Law Clinic

The Macomber Entrepreneurial and Transactional Law Clinic (ETC) supports under-resourced and traditionally under-served small businesses and nonprofit organizations across Iowa—while providing student attorneys hands-on training in transactional practice.

The Macomber Entrepreneurial and Transactional Law Clinic

Our Commitment

The ETC is committed to serving as a legal advisor and counselor—especially for local, rural, and underserved communities—while helping student attorneys develop the real-world skills they’ll carry into practice for decades.

ETC Experience (For Students)

Students are sworn in as student attorneys and work within a clinic “law firm” model to counsel clients, gather facts, analyze entity options, draft and file organizing documents, and support client goals through supervised practice. Depending on the matter, students may work on operating and governance documents, IRS 1023/1023-EZ applications, intellectual property considerations, and common agreements (employment/contractor, leases, service contracts, financing arrangements, buy-sell agreements, and more).

Student Attorney Time Commitment

Includes orientation, seminar classes, weekly supervisory meetings, and ongoing client work/office hours; total weekly time varies by credits.

Student Requirements

Prerequisites include Business Associations (LAW 204) and the equivalent of three semesters of law school.

Information for Prospective Clients

Capacity notice: The Entrepreneurial and Transactional Clinical Program may be at capacity and unable to accept new applications at certain times. If a waiting list is available, prospective clients may be directed to email the clinic for an application; completing an application does not create an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Services Offered

Services may include:

Business entity formation and organization (including articles/certificates and related filings)
Business agreements preparation and negotiation (governance documents, leases, financing and service contracts, employment/contractor agreements, and more)
Tax-exempt status assistance for 501(c)(3) entities (applications and counseling)
Legal audits/organizational “check-ups”
Consultation for community projects (revitalization projects, economic development incentive programs)

Practice disclaimer: The ETC does not prepare tax returns or provide assistance in initiating or defending litigation.

Fees and Expenses

Clients receive free legal services but are responsible for out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with representation (e.g., filing or application fees).

Application Process and Client Selection Criteria

ETC faculty determine whether services are appropriate for student representation. Priority may be given to projects that lack discretionary funds for legal advice; are owned/operated by women, minorities, or traditionally underserved groups; demonstrate operational capacity (e.g., written plan); align with employee-owned cooperative metrics; are located in underserved Des Moines neighborhoods or rural Iowa; and provide strong learning opportunities for student attorneys.