The inaugural Law and Entrepreneurship Day by StartingBlock connected Madison law students, attorneys, and entrepreneurs for pitches, panels, and networking.
This August, Jake Kealy, StartingBlock 2024 Law and Entrepreneurship Fellow, hosted the inaugural Law and Entrepreneurship Day at StartingBlock. The event brought together law students, attorneys, and entrepreneurs for a day packed with business pitches, networking opportunities, and educational panels. The day was a clear success, offering valuable insights and connections at the intersection of law and entrepreneurship.
A Morning of Innovation: 1 Million Cups Pitches
The day kicked off with local law students attending 1 Million Cups, a weekly event that encourages entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas in a supportive space. 1 Million Cups, sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation, is nationally recognized for fostering innovation in communities across the country.
For many law students and attorneys, the 1 Million Cups event was their first exposure to startups pitching their companies. The pitches sparked thoughtful, legally-informed questions from the crowd, providing the entrepreneurs with meaningful feedback about the legal considerations of their business models.
Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Always Growing
Scott Mosley, CEO of StartingBlock, took the stage to highlight how Wisconsin is becoming a hotbed for entrepreneurial growth. He noted as entrepreneurship continues to expand in the state, there’s a critical need for more lawyers to support these ventures.
Mosley also provided an overview of StartingBlock’s accelerator programs and emphasized the importance of upcoming events like Forward Fest, where entrepreneurs and innovators gather to network and learn. He spoke about the unique challenges startups face and how legal expertise is essential to their long-term success.
Legal Careers in Entrepreneurship: A Panel of Experts
A panel discussion titled “Legal Careers in Entrepreneurship,” moderated by Kealy, featured featured some of the most influential voices in the Madison legal startup community:
Emily Buchholz, Director of the University of Wisconsin Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic
Richelle Martin, Managing Director of the Winnow Fund
Wilson Fay, Innovative Ventures Associate at WiSys
Jack Iwrey, M&A and Startup Lawyer at Quarles & Brady
Each panelist shared insights into their diverse career paths, emphasizing how their involvement with the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic was a crucial stepping stone. Both Fay and Iwrey, former clinic student attorneys and close friends, emphasized how the clinic fostered strong lifelong connections that have benefited them both personally and professionally. Fay noted, "The connections you make {at the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic} extend far beyond law school. They're lifelong assets."
Panelists also discussed their unpredictable career trajectories. Many started in seemingly unrelated fields, such as English or general studies, before finding their niche. They explained their experiences–from clerking for judges to working in diverse practice areas–ultimately led them to their current roles.
Key Takeaways: Networking and Entrepreneurial Support
A central theme throughout the panel was the critical importance of networking. Panelists urged students to be proactive in forging connections. Martin shared a personal story about how attending community events like Jazz at Five on the Square opened doors to her current role.
"Never underestimate the power of a casual conversation," Martin said. "It’s about putting yourself in spaces where opportunities can find you."
Another shared key insight was the sheer enthusiasm of working with entrepreneurs. Panelists spoke of the satisfaction that comes from helping startups grow, whether it’s forming new ventures, assisting with intellectual property, or even setting up the JJ Watt Foundation.
Practical advice was also provided on legal skills necessary for pursuing entrepreneurial law, including client communication, contract drafting, and handling billable hours.
Serving the Legal Needs of Startups
Students and attorneys connected with entrepreneurial-minded individuals during a 30-minute networking session. Many attendees found this to be the most valuable part of the day, with one student noting, “I walked away with not just one, but several meaningful connections.”
Lunch was catered by The Walking Jerk, a local Madison food truck and member of the FEED Kitchens initiative, which supports emerging food entrepreneurs. Over the lunch hour, Buchholz gave an overview of the Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic. The clinic helps entrepreneurs with everything from contract drafting to intellectual property. She also answered questions from students entering the clinic this year, offering advice on how to better serve clients.
Law and Entrepreneurship Annual Event
The inaugural Law and Entrepreneurship Day at StartingBlock was a huge success, offering attendees career exposure, meaningful connections, and critical education on the legal challenges facing startups. Whether it was through pitching sessions, insightful panels, or networking opportunities, participants left with new knowledge, fresh ideas, and expanded professional networks.
Kealy closed the event by sharing his hopes for the future: “I want everyone who attended today to walk away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in startup law, and most importantly, with a new connection that can help them get there.”
Law and Entrepreneurship Day at StartingBlock is poised to become a staple in Madison’s entrepreneurial calendar, bridging the gap between legal professionals and the startup ecosystem. StartingBlock continues to prove itself to foster innovation and growth across many industries.