There are a lot of game changers in the Cincinnati startup ecosystem. One of those game changers is Lewis Goldfarb.
Goldfarb founded and runs the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law’s Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic. He has had a storied career, ranging from working as a CPA to being an entrepreneur himself. The drive through these career choices has always been simple.
He wants to help people.
“I have had several different jobs and careers and I’ve always been looking for the jobs where I feel like it can make a real difference in the lives of people,” he said, “and that’s what led me to this job in Cincinnati.”
“I try to look for opportunities to collaborate in the community,” he said. “We can have a greater impact if we collaborate with local organizations.”
The clinic, which opened in January 2011, has helped 320 local entrepreneurs. Law students provide legal help under Goldfarb’s supervision. They help entrepreneurs attain the licenses they need and understand the legal structures, regulatory requirements, agreements with landlords and employees, and other legal elements.
“When they gave me the independence to create the clinic … I thought it was a wonderful way for our students to learn by actually practicing law representing local entrepreneurs who probably couldn’t afford lawyers, and for the local entrepreneurs to get critical legal help,” he said. “It’s a win-win.”
The clinic and Goldfarb have wrapped up a laundry list of awards and accomplishments, but to Goldfarb, the impact has always been about helping people. The accolades that have meant the most have been establishing Spanish-language services and providing more than $1.3 million in pro-bono legal services. The latter led him to take over the Legal Services Project, which provides access to legal services for low-income Cincinnatians, at UC Law in 2018.
“We are now providing legal services in Spanish,” he said. “We found a need for that in this community.”
The clinic has had a tremendous impact on the Cincinnati ecosystem, especially when it comes to growth. As the Cincy startup scene has expanded, the clinic’s willingness to collaborate and provides services has been crucial for early stage startups.
“I feel like we’re an integral part of that growth,” he said. “Legal help is important. Business help is important, especially if you get help early on.”
Goldfarb has also been extremely community oriented. Among the list of collaborators are The Brandery and OCEAN. He is also on the board of MORTAR. The clinic has also been involved with the Latina Entrepreneur Academy the past two summers, as it is one of the fastest growing demographics of the entrepreneur community
“I try to look for opportunities to collaborate in the community,” he said. “We can have a greater impact if we collaborate with local organizations.”
Editor's Note: Lewis Goldfarb is a 2018 Cincy Inno 50 on Fire winner. Read more here.
