Columbus Climbing Lawyers...Need Help!

Post by **Colorscholar** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:47 pm

Hello everyone,

I am seeking to find someone in or near Columbus who is a layer or in law school that could offer some legal advise for the new bouldering gym in Columbus opening this fall. I would be willing to exchange membership time for such help. (Questions regarding LLC status, release waivers and insurance etc.)

Best,
Tony Reynaldo

614-551-5778
reynaldo.1@osu.edu

Post by **Cleveland** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:37 pm

Contact Joyce Merritt, she is an attorney in lexington, KY. She wont want a membership in Columbus but she might be able to help you out. Her user name is jamlawyer.

Post by **powell.se** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:34 pm

Yeah she's a great "layer".

Post by **sendit** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:05 pm

any lawyer can get you hooked up with an LLC for probably $600
Call around to other gyms and ask what they do for waivers and insurance, if they are not close by they won't take it as a threat to their business and will probably give you a tip or two.

Here's my two cents; all that stuff takes time (unless you got $$ which I doubt you do since you're asking for free legal advice on this site) so I'd be cautious about spreading the word too far and wide about it opening publicly soon - under delivering is never good (although, I don't know what situation you are in) but I've seen many folks get super psyched about a gym and then the organizers get hit with the realization of what legally they are getting themselves into and bail out.

Post by **quicksilver** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:52 pm

incorporating is easy. You will want to be an LLC (limited liabilty corporation) for pass through taxation and protecting your personal assets if someone tries to sue you. You normally file the papers to incorporate via your secretary of state - pick a name - send a check - get a tax I.D and set up your articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation are basically how you will do business as a LLC. You could use a generic form and change it to suit or you may want a lawyer to help with this. You WILL lose sleep for awhile worrying about things but it is just like climbing a multi-pitch route that you are not sure you can handle.
One pitch at a time - work your way through it and take it as it comes.
The stress is tough - the work is hard - the rewards (other than monetary)
are great. I think the key is to be willing to fail and accept the fact that there are hassles with every gig. Most people never start because of uncertainty - my hat's off to you - you have already went further than most folks ever will. Best of luck.

Mike