Law Simplified Clear Explanations, Practical Skills #251113

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify common legal issues that arise in personal life and business operations.

• Understand the basic structure of the legal system and how disputes are resolved.

• Read and comprehend the key terms of standard contracts and agreements.

• Recognize the fundamental principles of intellectual property, employment law, and liability.

• Apply a practical framework to manage common legal risks and avoid disputes.

• Communicate more effectively with legal professionals and know when to seek expert advice.

This course is perfectly suited for anyone who needs a working knowledge of law without becoming a lawyer:

• Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

• Startup Founders and Solopreneurs

• Managers, Team Leads, and Project Managers

• Office Administrators and Executive Assistants

• Freelancers, Creators, and Consultants

• HR Generalists and Recruiters (non-legal focused)

• Community Organizers and Non-Profit Staff

• Any individual wanting to be a more informed and empowered citizen

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: Demystifying the Legal System & Reading Contracts

• Morning Session: Law 101 – How the System Actually Works

  • The Main Types of Law: Criminal vs. Civil.

  • How a Lawsuit Works: From complaint to judgment (without the scary parts).

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, mediation, and arbitration as practical solutions.

• Afternoon Session: Contracts You Can Actually Understand

  • The 5 Essential Elements of a Binding Contract.

  • How to Read a Contract: Identifying the parties, payment terms, responsibilities, and termination clauses.

  • Practical Workshop: In small groups, review a standard NDA or service agreement and identify the key obligations and risks.

Day 2: Protecting Your Ideas & Your Business

• Morning Session: Intellectual Property in Plain English

  • Copyrights: What they protect (your website, writing, photos) and for how long.

  • Trademarks: Protecting your business name, logo, and brand.

  • Patents and Trade Secrets: A simple overview.

• Afternoon Session: Choosing a Business Structure

  • Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC vs. Corporation: The practical implications for liability and taxes.

  • Why an LLC Might Be Your Best Bet: Separating personal and business assets.

  • Case Study: Analyze a real-world example of a small business that faced a problem and how its structure helped or hurt.

Day 3: Managing People & Avoiding Disputes

• Morning Session: Employment Law Essentials

  • Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Why getting this wrong is costly.

  • Key Laws Every Employer Must Know: Discrimination, harassment, and wage/hour basics.

  • Creating Essential Policies for a Safe and Respectful Workplace.

• Afternoon Session: Managing Liability and Risk

  • Negligence 101: What does “duty of care” mean for you and your business?

  • The Power of Insurance: What policies you should have and why.

  • Interactive Scenario: Work through several common business scenarios (e.g., a customer slips and falls, a client dispute) and discuss the best first steps to manage risk.

Day 4: Real Estate, Privacy, and Everyday Law

• Morning Session: Real Estate and Lease Basics

  • Understanding a Lease Agreement: Key clauses to negotiate before you sign.

  • Renting vs. Buying: The legal commitments involved.

• Afternoon Session: Digital Law for Everyone

  • Privacy Policies & Terms of Service: What you’re really agreeing to online.

  • Your Digital Footprint: Legal issues around social media, online reviews, and defamation.

  • Workshop: Critique the privacy policy of a common website or app.

Day 5: Putting It All Together – Your Legal Action Plan

• Morning Session: When to Hire a Lawyer (And How to Work With One)

  • Red Flags: Situations where you absolutely need professional legal help.

  • How to Find and Hire the Right Lawyer for your needs and budget.

  • How to Prepare for a Meeting with Your Lawyer to save time and money.

• Afternoon Session: Capstone & Q&A

  • Final Practical Exercise: Participants are given a comprehensive scenario (e.g., starting a new freelance business) and must create a “Legal Checklist” of issues to address, from structure and contracts to insurance and IP.

  • Open Forum Q&A: Bring your specific questions for a final review.

  • Course Wrap-up: Key takeaways and a list of trusted resources for further learning.

  • Adjourn.