In this talk, Professor Brad Bernthal will examine why experts – called “mentors” – volunteer to help early stage startups without putting a contract in place. From a legal perspective, startups and mentors exchange a surprising amount of economic value. Why don’t they insist upon contracts? Bernthal’s explanation helps explain how thriving startup communities work and, more broadly, traces some conditions where parties exchange great value without typical legal tools used to structure exchange.

The University of Colorado Law School's thought-provoking series, Colorado Law Talks, features our faculty and other members of the Colorado Law community. Each talk provides an opportunity to hear about the lecturers' current scholarship and to discuss the questions and ideas that motivate, influence, and shape their work. The work of Colorado Law’s professors includes an extraordinary array of diverse projects—not just intriguing scholarship, but innovative teaching methods, and valuable contributions to communities beyond the law school.

Wednesday, April 20 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. MDT

Hybrid format (in-person and virtual via Zoom).

Registration Required https://cu.law/RegisterApril20.

One general CLE credit is pending for Colorado attorneys.