May 7, 2020
The HSBLC coalition is a coordinated effort with the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity and participating law firms providing pro bono legal consultations to Houston area small businesses.
Lawyers from Willkie’s Houston office are among those collaborating with Houston Small Business Legal Consultations (HSBLC) and the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity to offer pro bono legal advice to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a network of volunteer attorneys at law firms across the Houston area, HSBLC provides participants free legal consultations, by telephone, about how to navigate loan and grant relief programs, taxes, commercial leases, contracts, employment, intellectual property and other general business issues.
Eligible participants must be self-employed, or be an owner or representative of a small business or non-profit organization affected by the pandemic.
Willkie lawyers are also providing pro bono assistance to help small business owners navigate COVID-19 stimulus support in collaboration with the Lawyers for Good Government Foundation (L4GG), a coalition started in New York City in March in partnership with the City Bar Justice Center, with plans to roll out the program across the US. The firm’s work is highlighted in a recent American Lawyer article here.