Episode 8: Erin of Starboard Legal
Erin has been practicing law in both the private and public sectors of Massachusetts for almost 15 years. As the founder of Starboard Legal, Erin invites both business and personal clients to consider the most challenging "what-if" questions with an open heart and a sense of humor.
HER BACKGROUND
Erin talks about her career and background and how she began working for the state treasury out of college. She went to law school at night and after graduating and passing the bar she worked in the legal department of the treasury and gained exposure. She talks about struggling with the decision to open her own practice because she loved her work but always felt as though there was something more she was supposed to be doing and shifted into her own practice. Erin speaks to taking a leap and knowing that if it doesn’t work out that you can always shift. We both speak about the amazing opportunities and resources for continuing education and having the ability to learn almost anything online.
ON SMALL BUSINESS
Erin and I discuss what most small business owners generally come to her for. She talks about forming limited liability corporations and creating operating agreements and by laws within a business. She speaks to the general ease of being able to create an LLC on your own but emphasizes that if the right plans aren’t in place it can be a risk for your business. She talks about the operating agreement and how it outlines the plans and next steps for your business and the importance of putting precautions in place ahead of time so that if things come up you know how to deal with them.
TALKING ONLINE VS. BRICK AND MORTAR
Erin talks about protecting yourself online with a privacy policy, disclaimer notice and terms and conditions in order to take away the element of surprise for your audience. She explains that when you are walking into a building there is an expectation of what you are going to get versus being online where there is no one there to explain or answer questions. She also mentions business insurance and making sure you are covered in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. She stresses that you want to avoid surprises as a business and minimize them as best you can from a legal perspective.
CORONAVIRUS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Erin discusses how many businesses have been affected due to casual contracts or lack of planning. She discusses how COVID has forced many businesses to reassess what they have in place and that we now have a great opportunity to look at the structures and systems of your business and make sure that they are all in place. She talks about being able to pivot and stresses the value of being able to reframe and assess now. We discuss the “act of god” clause that has been coming into play for many business owners and making sure that contracts are in place so that if there is any unforeseeable circumstance that these contracts include the proper language to cover your business. She stresses that every paragraph in a contract addresses a particular circumstance and that for many businesses that had casual contracts in place they are now rethinking and getting their contracts in place and making sure that boundaries are clear.
ON THE INVESTMENT OF HIRING A LAWYER
Erin talks about how she always tries to help people understand the value of their worth and she stresses that with planning you’re putting actions into place that have value for the future. We talk about the natural emotions that come into play as we all hold these things so dear to our hearts.
ERIN’S FAVORITE PART OF HER JOB
Erin talks about her favorite part of being a lawyer which is disintegrating panic. She stresses that no matter what it is she always assures clients that they can figure it out together. She loves being able to take the reins and tell her clients not to worry while she gets down to work.
WRAPPING UP
We talk about simply surviving 2020 and how amazing it has been to watch businesses pivot and grow even during a pandemic.
Book Club Recommendation: Brene Brown, Dare to Lead
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