Legal Foundations for Entrepreneurs

The law is a broad topic that covers many aspects of entrepreneurship. It is important for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn how to start a business and deal with their first customers. It is important to consider operating policies and employment law for active entrepreneurs. To navigate the challenges and take advantage of opportunities, everyone must understand the role the law plays in managing a company.

This course is designed for the active and aspiring entrepreneur. It focuses on the fundamental elements of law. An introduction to law, modern legal systems, and their sources will be provided. We will discuss the initial priorities. These include what legal activities you can pursue on your own and when and how to choose and work with an attorney. The discussion also includes considerations and options for business formation. The final topic is the entry and operation of your business. "Legal Foundations For Entrepreneurs" is one of the three courses offered by Coursera and University of Maryland in the "Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship Specialization". This specialization examines the legal and business issues entrepreneurs face when they launch and build a new venture. The course examines real-world situations and addresses legal and business issues starting with ideation and continuing through every step of the way to success. New venture formation, intellectual property management, contracts and financing arrangements are all given a lot of attention.