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Legal Playbook for Entrepreneurs
Executive Education Online Course
Build, Protect and Grow Your Business with Confidence
Entrepreneurs wear many hats, but when it comes to legal decisions, one misstep can cost you time, money and momentum. This self-paced, online course gives founders, freelancers and business builders the legal clarity they need to succeed.
Course Description
Designed for entrepreneurs with no legal background, Legal Playbook for Entrepreneurs demystifies the essential legal concepts that every business owner should understand. You will learn how to choose the right business structure, protect your personal and intellectual assets, draft and navigate contracts, and comply with essential regulations.
Through real-world case studies and actionable tools, you will walk away with a solid legal foundation and the confidence to make smarter decisions as you start, grow or scale your business.
Who Should Take This Course?
- Startup founders
- Solopreneurs
- Small business owners
- Creative professionals
Course Dates
Course Start Date: September 23, 2026
Registration Period: July 1 – September 23
Coursework will be available to access for up to 6 months.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Spot legal risks before they become costly problems for your business.
Confidently choose the right business structure for your goals, whether that’s a sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, or partnership, and understand the tax and liability implications of each.
Navigate the rules and regulations every business must follow, including licenses, filings, and compliance obligations, without getting overwhelmed by legal jargon.
Draft and review essential business documents, such as operating agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts, with greater clarity and control.
Protect your ideas and assets, including your brand name, content and confidential information, using the right intellectual property tools.
Know when to call in a lawyer and how to ask the right questions so you get legal advice that’s efficient, cost-effective and aligned with your business goals.
Course Structure
Module 1
Building Your Business Foundation
Module 2
Funding Your Business
Module 3
Contracts Every Entrepreneur Should Understand
Module 4
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Module 5
Exit Planning
Lead Professor
Donald Scotten
Donald Scotten is Vice Dean for Administration and Professor of the Practice of Law at USC Gould School of Law, where he specializes in business organizational law and entity governance. He teaches Business Organizations, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, and is the author of several books in the field, including Business Organizations: A Transactional Perspective.
Donald currently serves as of counsel at Akerman LLP and previously held senior legal roles at Countrywide Home Loans and Howrey LLP. He chaired the State Bar of California's Partnerships and LLCs Committee during the year it proposed adoption of the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act to the California Legislature. Professor Scotten has also served as an expert witness, providing testimony on matters of organizational governance and entity structure.
He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from the College of William and Mary Law School, and an Executive LLM in Taxation from New York University. Donald created the Legal Playbook for Entrepreneurs to give business owners the practical legal foundation they need to build and protect what they create.
Graham Hendrick
Graham Hendrick teaches Legal Playbook for Entrepreneurs for USC’s Executive Education program, where he serves as a lecturer in law. Hendrick currently works as an associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in the Technology Transactions – IT group, where he advises clients on a variety of commercial licensing and intellectual property issues. Over the years, Hendrick’s clients have included startup companies, growth-stage companies, and Fortune 500 companies across many industries, including artificial intelligence, SaaS products, media, med-tech, and more.
Hendrick received a BA in History, with a minor in Business Management, from the University of San Diego and a JD from the USC Gould School of Law. As a student at USC Gould, Hendrick served as a teaching assistant to Dean Donald Scotten in Torts and Business Associations. Hendrick is a member of the California State Bar.
Contributing experts to be announced.
Tuition
Early Bird Registration (through Aug. 1)
$699
$699
General Registration
$899
$899
Reduced Rate for Trojan Family, Government, Non-Profit, Military, Law Enforcement, Groups (10% discount)
$810
$810
Reduced Rate for Education Partners (20% discount)
$720
$720
Reduced Rate for Young Entrepreneurs (50% discount for participants aged 18–27 with enrollment verification)
$449
$449
*Available for groups of three or more people from the same organization. To register a group, please email execed@law.usc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should I expect to spend per week on coursework? 
When do the courses start?
Please visit each individual course page for information on the start date.
Can I really complete the course at my own pace, or are there deadlines I need to meet?
There are no deadlines other than the final assessment, which needs to be submitted by the end of the course.
What happens if I do not finish the course within the 6-month access period?
If you do not finish the course within the 6-month access period, you may re-apply to take the course again. Access shuts off after 6 months.
Can I download videos or materials to watch offline?
Videos are only available to be played online. Video transcripts, required reading and other e-learning materials may be downloaded and viewed offline.
Can I skip around between modules, or do they need to be completed in order?
Each module builds off of the prior modules, and therefore should be completed in order.
Can I cancel or share my registration?
All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
About This Course
Registration Opens July 1, 2026
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ExecEd Course Updates
Executive Education Program
USC Gould School of Law Executive Education trains professionals to expand their expertise and learn at the cutting-edge of today's legal landscape. Led by USC Gould professors and expert practitioners, each course is an immersive exploration of a specialized area of law. Through on-demand programming that blends academic precision with real-world relevance, USC Gould ExecEd advances your personal, professional and career growth.
Questions?
Contact us at execed@law.usc.edu.
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Los Angeles, California 90089-0071
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