Two years ago I was living in a grass thatched, mud hut. My communication with the outside world was done from atop a two-story termite mound. I bathed from a bucket under the shade of trees. And my diet consisted of boiled leaves, caterpillars, and hard porridge. Now, I’m beginning a Law Office study program in one of the most technologically advanced and innovative areas of the world. I’m Ricardo Samir Nuñez and I’m a Legal Apprentice at theSustainable Economies Law Center.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · March 20, 2013 8:13 PM
When it comes to sharing with others, Janelle Orsi practices what she preaches. Orsi, an Oakland solo practitioner, specializes in a new niche: “sharing law.” She even wrote the book on it: Practicing Law in the Sharing Economy (ABA Books, 2012).
Abraham Lincoln never went to law school; yet, he is one of the most celebrated lawyers in U.S. history. Society take note: Going to law school is not the only route to becoming a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer. In fact, becoming a lawyer by apprenticing may be an incredibly effective way to learn how to practice law. The apprenticeship route to becoming a lawyer makes the legal profession accessible to those who cannot afford the time and expense of law school, and offersinnumerable other benefits to apprentices, supervising attorneys, and society.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · March 04, 2013 12:00 PM
The so-called sharing economy has been described as being about many things: Millennials rejecting car ownership, the environmentally conscious glomming onto the latest eco-trend, broke urbanites who will want all their own stuff again as soon as the economy recovers...
Posted by chris tittle · February 25, 2013 3:25 PM
We believe that a resilient and just economy includes many diverse forms of exchange, allowing all members of a community to meaningfully participate in the economy and have their gifts valued appropriately. Community currencies are one way of strengthening both local economies and our national economy as a whole, by giving more people access to a means of exchange and thus increasing economic activity in ways that support, rather than destroy, local communities and the natural world.
California Corporation Code Section 107
Currently, California is one of only three states (alongside Virginia and Arkansas) in the USA that potentially prohibit the creation and circulation of local currencies. Dating back to 1849, this law is outdated, vague, and serves little purpose in the complex and dynamic economy of the 21st century.
California’s Corporations Code Section 107 reads:
“No corporation, flexible purpose corporation, association or individual shall issue or put in circulation, as money, anything but the lawful money of the United States.”
Along with our many friends and supporters across California, SELC is proposing a bill that would remove CA Corporation Code Section 107 because:
this law is outdated and if actually enforced, would significantly restrict economic activity in our state
there is a growing movement within California, across the country, and around the world to develop more democratic and inclusive means of exchange that will both stabilize and improve our local economies, and
community currencies have the potential to provide many underserved communities with access to capital and meaningful opportunities for work that could increase economic activity (and thus tax revenue) in socially and ecologically responsible ways.
Posted by chris tittle · February 16, 2013 11:39 AM
It’s almost that time of year again…
…green shoots of new growth are just emerging as the fragrant blossoms of fruit trees begin to burst forth. At SELC, our programs are also beginning to blossom in a variety of colorful ways. However, this wouldn’t be possible without the strong root system we have been cultivating over the years – our staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers. As our programs burst forth into spring, help us tend the roots of our growing organization – support our Spring Matching Grant Campaign!
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · December 06, 2012 12:00 PM
Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) introduces SELC's The California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616) to create a pathway for the legal sale of safe homemade food products -- helping micro food businesses throughout the state prosper, and ultimately foster the healthy/local food movement.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · November 08, 2012 12:00 PM
A new state law eases the way for culinary entrepreneurs to legally create and operate food-related businesses in their kitchens, producing homemade edibles for sale to businesses and to the public.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · November 08, 2012 12:00 PM
An update on the JOBS Act which was signed into law in April of 2012 and has since been winding its way from general legislation to specific regulation. When finally implemented, the law should make it much easier and cheaper for small ventures to get funding-for-equity from the crowd.
The Resilient Communities Legal Cafeprovides direct legal support to individuals and groups who are working to create new solutions for resilient local economies in Oakland, Berkeley, and the greater East Bay community. We're currently running the Legal Cafe as a 6-month pilot program between February and August 2013 as a joint effort of SELC and the Green-Collar Communities Clinic (a project of the East Bay Community Law Center).
Why The Resilient Communities Legal Cafe?
SELC believes that because our current economic systems prioritize corporate profits over community resilience, they destroy opportunities for satisfying and sustainable work, damage the environment that sustains us, and unravel our sense of connection to one another. That's why SELC is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and accessible legal information and advice to the people who are creating alternative economic systems. Through this work, we can help form the enterprises and entrepreneurs that will ring in the new economy.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · October 29, 2012 12:00 PM
Sharing doesn’t have to mean just cars and apartments. There are lots of small ways you can bring the ideas behind the sharing economy into your life, and a new guidebook shows you how.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · October 16, 2012 12:00 PM
The Sustainable Economies Law Center cooks up a bill to allow individuals to supplement their incomes through sale of produce grown at home or on other urban or suburban land.
Posted by Sustainable Economies Law Center · September 28, 2012 12:00 PM
The California Homemade Food Act clears the way for home cooks to make and sell a wide range of products, such as jams and jellies, without the need to invest in commercial kitchen space or comply with zoning and other regulations.
