The legal challenges facing budding business owners are many, consuming both time and much-needed resources. These challenges can be all the more daunting for student entrepreneurs who, in light of active courseloads, little experience, and minimal income, lack the time, expertise, and financial wherewithal to make their ideas a reality. Through the Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs (BASE), Ballard Spahr seeks to lessen these burdens for student entrepreneurs by offering pro bono legal assistance on discrete issues facing their potential ventures. Clients accepted into the BASE program will be assigned to Ballard Spahr attorneys who will guide them through the startup process by providing legal assistance, such as advising on corporate governance and structure, negotiating leases, and other corporation formation and contract matters. In addition to legal advice and support, successful applicants will gain access to regular educational seminars and programs as well as opportunities to meet and network with other young entrepreneurs and others in the startup community. Ballard Spahr attorneys are experienced in all aspects of business formation and have served as primary outside counsel or special counsel to a diverse group of clients that includes publicly traded corporations, boards of directors and board committees, privately held companies, financial institutions, venture capital firms, private equity groups, investment funds, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, state and local governments, and individuals.