Legal Bites Under Construction

Bite-Sized Legal Guides

Have a legal question but not quite ready to read a full legal guide? These Bite-Sized Legal Guides are a great place to start! To download a Bite-Sized Legal Guide, click on the headings below.

¿Tiene una pregunta legal pero no está listo para leer una guía legal completa? ¡Estas Guías Legales Cortas son lugares excelentes para empezar! Desplácese hasta la parte inferior de la página para obtener recursos en español. Para descargar una Guía Legal Corta, hacer clic en los títulos a continuación.

English Resources:

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: These Bite-Sized Legal Guides have been prepared by Sustainable Economies Law Center staff and volunteers as handouts for the Resilient Communities Legal Cafe. The contents of the Guides should NOT be relied on as legal advice. Furthermore, some of this information could become outdated, laws may vary from place to place, and although we've tried to collect accurate information and give the laws our best interpretation, some information in these Bite-Sized Legal Guides could be incorrect or subject to different interpretations by courts and regulators. We hope that's not the case, but, what can we say? Law is complicated stuff! That's why we STRONGLY recommend that you consult with an attorney before using this information.

Cooperatives

How to Choose an Entity for Your Cooperative will help you choose between filing as an LLC or as a Cooperative Corporation.

In How to Form a Cooperative Corporation, we provide a step-by-step guide to forming a California Cooperative Corporation.

In How to Finance a Worker Cooperative, we explore ways for worker-coops to obtain financing through internal equity, loans, government loans, & outside equity.

In How to Make Decisions in a Cooperative, we explore the different ways coops navigate making decisions in a democratic workplace.

In How to File Taxes as a Subchapter T Cooperative, we explore how cooperatives can avoid the double tax by deducting patronage dividends.

In How to Convert Your Existing Business Into a Cooperative, we explore how to run a cooperative child care arrangement in California.

Nonprofits

In How to Form a Nonprofit Organization, we lay out the steps to forming a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

In Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how nonprofits can better achieve their missions, as well as the legal considerations for becoming a worker self-directed nonprofit.

In How to Receive Grants and Donations Through Fiscal Sponsor, we explore the pros and cons of finding a fiscal sponsor vs. forming a 501c3.

Food and Farming

In How to Start a Homemade Food Business, we explore the California homemade food law and provide guidelines for starting a homemade food business.

In How to Become a Personal Chef in California, we explore the certifications and permits you'll need to become a personal chef in California.

In How to Create an Accessible Urban Garden, we explore methods for increasing access to urban farms.

In How to Operate a Pushcart, we explore how to operate a pushcart under Oakland's pilot mobile vending program.

In How to Sell Eggs, we explore the rules for small-scale egg production and sale in California.

In How to Sell Produce From Your Small Farm, Community Garden, or Backyard, we explore rules for selling urban grown produce & foraged food.

In How to Become an Organic Producer, we explore the legal definition and requirements for "organic," who can (and must) be certified organic, how you can become a certified organic producer in California, and how to label organic products.

In How to Navigate Employment Law for Food Enterprises, we explore the definitions, rights, and responsibilities of volunteers, employees, independent contractors, and employers.

Miscellaneous

In How to Incorporate as an LLC or Partnership, we explore some steps to establish limited liability entities.

In How to File Doing Business As ("DBA"), we explain the purpose of a DBA and link to resources that provide a step-by-step guide of how to file.

In How to Establish a Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401(k), we explore how to pull your retirement savings out of Wall Street and invest it in things that enrich your local community.

In How to Navigate Trademark Law, we explore the basics of trademark law, including trademark registration, eligibility for trademark protection, trademark infringement, and more.

In How to Raise Capital, we explore the common exemptions to federal and state securities law that can be used when raising capital for your enterprise.

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how to run a cooperative child care arrangement in California.

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we provide an analysis of both federal and state employment laws, and how they might impact caregiving registries.

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we provide a step by step guide to obtaining a contractors license.

In Who is Not an Employee, we explain the difference between unpaid interns, partners/owners, independent contractors, and volunteers so that you can better understand what legal obligations may arise.

In Having Employees, we list some of the basic things you need to do and know to get set up as an employer.

In How to Work With Lawyers, we explore some things to consider before seeking legal advice.

En Español:

AVISO LEGAL: Estas Guías Legales Cortas han sido preparadas por personal y voluntarios del Sustainable Economies Law Center como documentos para el Café Legal de Comunidades Resilientes. El contenido de las Guías NO se debe confiar como asesoramiento legal. Además, parte de esta información podría quedar obsoleta, las leyes pueden variar de un lugar a otro, y aunque hemos intentado recopilar información precisa y dar a las leyes nuestra mejor interpretación, parte de la información en estas Guías legales de tamaño reducido podría ser incorrecta o estar sujeta a diferentes interpretaciones de los tribunales y los reguladores. Esperamos que ese no sea el caso, pero, ¿qué podemos decir? ¡La ley es algo complicado! Es por eso que recomendamos encarecidamente que consulte a un abogado antes de utilizar esta información.

En esta Guía Legal, exploramos la ley de comida casera de California y las reglas de la venta de comida casera.

En esta Guía Legal, exploramos las reglas de la producción y la venta de huevos a pequeña escala en California.

En esta Guía Legal, exploramos las reglas de California para vender productos cultivados en zonas urbanas, incluida la comida forrajera.

Have a legal question but not quite ready to read a full legal guide? These Bite-Sized Legal Guides are a great place to start! To download a Bite-Sized Legal Guide, click on the headings below.

English Resources:

Cooperatives

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Make Decisions in a Cooperative

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the different ways cooperatives have navigated how to make decisions in a democratic workplace.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Convert Your Existing Business Into a Cooperative

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how to run a cooperative child care arrangement in California.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Run a Cooperative Child Care Arrangement in California

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how to run a cooperative child care arrangement in California.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to File Taxes as a Subchapter T Cooperative

The primary benefit of Subchapter T is that it allows cooperatives to avoid the double tax by deducting patronage dividends from its business income. Click on the link above to learn more.

Entity Formation

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Form a Cooperative Corporation

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we lay out the steps to forming a California Cooperative Corporation.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Choose an Entity for Your Cooperative

This Bite-Sized Legal Guide will help you choose between filing as an LLC or as a Cooperative Corporation.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Incorporate as an LLC or Partnership

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore some steps to establish limited liability entities.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Form a Nonprofit Organization

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we lay out the steps to forming a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Become a Worker Self-Directed Nonprofit

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how worker self-direction can help nonprofits better achieve their missions, as well as the legal considerations for becoming a worker self-directed nonprofit. This bite-sized guide also includes a sample board resolution for worker self-direction.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: Doing Business As (DBA)

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explain the purpose of a DBA and link to resources that provide a step-by-step guide of how to file.

Food and Farming

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Start a Homemade Food Business

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the California homemade food law and provide guidelines for people who are interested in starting a homemade food business.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide to Becoming a Personal Chef in California

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the certifications and permits you'll need to become a personal chef in California.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Create an Accessible Urban Garden

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore methods for increasing access to urban farms.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Operate a Pushcart in Oakland, California

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how to operate a pushcart under Oakland's pilot mobile vending program.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Sell Eggs in California

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the rules for small-scale egg production and sale in California.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Sell Produce From Your Small Farm, Community Garden, or Backyard in California

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore California rules for selling urban grown produce -- including foraged food!

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Become an Organic Producer

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the legal definition and requirements for "organic," who can (and must) be certified organic, how you can become a certified organic producer in California, and how to label organic products.

Mid-Sized Legal Guide to Employment Law for Food Enterprise

In this Mid-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the definitions, rights, and responsibilities of volunteers, employees, independent contractors, and employers.

Intellectual Property

Bite-Sized Legal Guide to Trademark Law

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the basics of trademark law, including trademark registration, eligibility for trademark protection, trademark infringement, and more.

Capital

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Raise Capital

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the common exemptions to federal and state securities law that can be used when raising capital for your enterprise.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401(k)s

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore how to pull your retirement savings out of Wall Street and invest it in things that enrich your local community.

Bite Sized Legal Guide: How To Receive Grants and Donations Through Fiscal Sponsor

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore the pros and cons of finding a fiscal sponsor vs. forming a 501(c)(3).

Bite Sized Legal Guide: How to Finance a Worker Cooperative

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore ways for worker-cooperatives to obtain adequate financing through internal equity, loans, government loans, and outside equity.

Miscellaneous

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Work With Lawyers

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explore some things to consider before seeking legal advice.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: How to Get a Contractors License

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we provide a step by step guide to obtaining a contractors license.

Legal Memo: Employment Law Considerations for Caregiving Registries

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we provide an analysis of both federal and state employment laws, and how they might impact caregiving registries.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: Who is not an Employee?

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we explain the difference between unpaid interns, partners/owners, independent contractors, and volunteers so that you can better understand what legal obligations may arise.

Bite-Sized Legal Guide: Having Employees

In this Bite-Sized Legal Guide, we list some of the basic things you need to do and know to get set up as an employer: