Are there any sources of legal assistance for new-to-export firms?
The Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN), a program of the Small Business Administration, is a nationwide group of volunteer attorneys with experience in international trade who provide free initial legal consultations (generally 1/2 hour) to small businesses on export-related law matters. They assist new-to-exporter firms in the planning process for an export business, explain the basic agent-distributor agreement, etc. A comprehensive list of regional coordinators who can refer you to a participating attorney can be found on the National Export Directory. ELAN also has an Internet home page that contains a copy of the SBA brochure, an article on ELAN, the ground rules for consultations, and the names and numbers of all of ELAN’s regional contacts.
