By offering accessible legal assistance to early-stage startups, with an emphasis on those looking to foster positive social change, the Startup Law Clinic aims to give law students practical insight into the legal challenges faced by startups and promote the development of the Ottawa startup community.
Note: The Startup Law Clinic has completed its work for the 2025-26 academic year and is now on hiatus. Please check back in fall 2026.
Our Services
The Clinic offers legal information on basic corporate and securities, intellectual property, and employment topics relevant to startups. It operates during the fall semester (September–December) each academic year.
While the Clinic does not provide personalized legal advice, the information our student caseworkers provide may be able to help startups think through questions like:
💼 Corporate and Securities
- Should I incorporate? If so, when? And how?
- What are our options for splitting ownership among our founding team?
- How do I raise capital from investors?
🤝 Employment
- How do I hire employees?
- What should go in an employment contract?
- How do employee stock options work?
🚀 Intellectual Property and Technology
- Do I own my business idea?
- How do I stop others from taking my idea?
- When and how should I take steps to protect my brand name?
- Should I set Terms of Use for my website/app?
- What limits are there on using information I collect from my users?
Book a Consultation
Note: Consultation appointments are no longer available for Fall 2025. Please check back in Fall 2026.
If you’re in the early stages of founding your startup, are based in the Ottawa area, and are not currently represented by legal counsel, our student caseworkers can give you information on some of the common legal issues you might face as your startup develops. Book some time with us on Calendly.
Acknowledgements
The uOttawa Startup Law Clinic is grateful for support from Ben Metzler and the uOttawa Centre for Technology, Society, and Law.
uOttawa Startup Law Clinic 