Students from Cardozo Law’s Entrepreneurship and Community Business Clinic recently traveled to California’s Central Valley, where they provided critical legal education and support to entrepreneurs in a rural region facing significant economic challenges.
During the trip, students led workshops on forming nonprofits and avoiding common business scams, sharing practical legal guidance with local community members. LL.M. students Paula Peña and Georgina Julia also spoke on a local radio station about how small business owners can protect themselves from scams.
The team also visited longtime clients, including Marie Hall’s bookstore (the only bookstore in town) and Leslie Porter’s agritourism business, where Cardozo students are providing ongoing support. Experiences like this highlight the vital role accessible legal services play in strengthening underserved rural communities.
Excellent work by all of the students who contributed to this impactful trip: Sasha Berniker, Julia Daigle, Nisha Gupta, Alexander Heinkele, Georgina Julia, Saloni Ladda, Paula Peña, and Griffin Silverthorne
