Young entrepreneurs looking to grow their business through youth charity The Prince’s Trust have received expert legal advice from the Bristol office of transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson.
The legal clinics were staged to deliver insightful and tailored support the fledgling businesses and tackled key legal issues as well as ensuring the entrepreneurs were well equipped to respond to the challenges they will face. 
The clinics follow the success of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Lunchbox Learning sessions hosted last year in aid of The Prince’s Trust, where the entrepreneurs received guidance on GDPR, leases and contract clauses.
This year solicitor Imogen Armstrong, who specialises in IT and technology, was supported by associates Laura Coombes and Georgie Morgan-Giles in guiding the entrepreneurs through their thought processes and suggesting ways of getting further information on specific legal issues.
Womble Bond Dickinson now has plans to roll out the scheme to more of its offices. Bristol is the second largest of its eight bases in the UK and employs more than 250 staff. The firm also has 19 offices in the US.
Bristol office partner and head of corporate social responsibility (CSR) Jonathan Bower said: “Following the very positive response we had last year on our Lunchbox Learning sessions, we wanted to continue supporting The Prince’s Trust and their young entrepreneurs by providing tailored, relevant and clear legal guidance in a relaxed and friendly environment.
“Our team was very pleased to participate in the event and we were impressed by those who attended; they already had a good idea of what they needed to have in place and asked very pertinent questions.
“We recognise that fundraising is not always the main focus to support charities and as business professionals, we have an important skill set which we want to share with young people and entrepreneurs to help them progress and succeed.”
The Prince’s Trust volunteering & secondments manager Dan Phillips added: “Fostering entrepreneurship among young people in the UK is a vital part of what we do at The Prince’s Trust. Opportunities to gain vital knowledge and expertise, such as those provided by the legal clinics, are hugely important to the development of successful future businesses.
“We are grateful to be able to work with experts such as Womble Bond Dickinson to support young entrepreneurs develop the range of skills needed and prepare them for the world of self-employment.”
Womble Bond Dickinson has been supporting The Prince’s Trust since 2013. The firm is also heavily involved in a comprehensive CSR programme that supports several charities across its UK offices.
