Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship

A Unique Resource for Legal and Business Expertise

Owning your own business is part of the American Dream. The pursuit of that dream has made Springfield, Massachusetts, one of the fastest growing cities for entrepreneurship in the country. A rich history of invention, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a highly supportive network of civic organizations and area colleges make the Pioneer Valley a great place to launch your own business.

The Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship was established to provide graduate business and law students with an opportunity to provide practical  consultation to entrepreneurs starting new and building existing small businesses in the community. This initiative strengthens current alliances within the community to use the combined resources of our School of Law and School of Business to foster new business development.

The Center is home to the Small Business Clinic, one of five legal clinics associated with the School of Law.

Faculty Resources

Robert Statchen, who holds a joint appointment to the School of Law and the School of Business, teaches and advises J.D. and M.B.A. students who assist clients at the Center. In addition to Professor Statchen, the Center's management team consists of Eric Gouvin, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law, who offers legal expertise in corporate, banking, and commercial law. Business expertise is provided by Dr. Harlan Spotts, MBA Program Director and associate professor of marketing, and Dr. Jim McKeon, professional educator and former senior vice president for corporate strategy and development at MassMutual Financial Group.

A community Advisory Board serves to advance the regional presence of the Center.

Benchmarks of Quality

Western New England College School of Law is the only Massachusetts law school outside of Boston accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The School of Business is the only private college in western Massachusetts accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and among only 15 percent of colleges worldwide to have earned this status. Such accreditations affirm that our programs meet high standards for academic quality and curricula that are in conjunction with the most current best practices utilized in business.

To learn more, contact us at Tel.: 413-736-8462 or email: amunnings@law.wnec.edu.