Starting a business comes with a lot of unknowns, especially when it comes to the legal side of building and growing a company.

In this episode of the Hatch Podcast, Stephanie Glines sits down with Adam Chronister and Laura O’Connor to talk about the Legal Technical Assistance Program (Legal TA), a new initiative designed to help entrepreneurs understand the legal foundations of starting and running a business.

The program combines a three-part Legal Learning Series with one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers, giving founders the opportunity to learn the fundamentals and then apply that knowledge directly to their own businesses.

Adam shares how early legal decisions can create costly consequences if founders don’t understand the right questions to ask, and why building the right legal foundation from the beginning can help avoid major mistakes down the road.

The program is designed to give entrepreneurs a comfortable entry point to legal guidance, helping them move from uncertainty to practical action.

Legal Learning Series

Session 1 — Before You Ask the Questions

March 26 | 5:00–6:30 PM

Foundational topics for early-stage entrepreneurs including business formation, contracts, intellectual property, and legal basics for starting strong.

Session 2 — The Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask

April 23 | 8:00–9:30 AM

A more advanced panel discussion for entrepreneurs who have been operating for a while and are facing deeper legal and financial decisions. Led by volunteer attorneys and financial experts.

Session 3 — What’s Next: Growing with the Right Legal Foundation

May 21 | 4:00–6:00 PM

A culmination session featuring a keynote speaker, breakout discussions, and networking with advisors and fellow entrepreneurs.

📍 Mobile Chamber of Commerce

451 Government Street

Mobile, Alabama

The program is free to attend and open to entrepreneurs across Mobile and Baldwin County.

Register for the March 26 Session

https://mobileareachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/mwFa9xXUmC3Ce

About the episode guests

Adam Chronister

Entrepreneur and business coach helping develop the Legal Technical Assistance program.

Laura O’Connor

Vice President of Community Development and Vice President of the Chamber Foundation at the Mobile Chamber.

About The Hatch Podcast

At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

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📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com

Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.