CPD Course:
A Practical Guide
in Explaining Law
to Non-Legal People

Chris Sykes is a Solicitor of England & Wales, and currently works as a lecturer and designer at a leading UK law school.  Chris was previously based in Hong Kong where he helped found legaltech business, Zegal, which now has a presence in five jurisdictions.  His background includes 'white collar' criminal defence, and teaching in Spain where he taught common law and legal 'skills' in a variety of law firms and universities.

All lawyers have clients, and many clients have little or no understanding of the law.  This is especially true in the modern world of startups, where startup founders are often keen but inexperienced in business.  Being able to communicate effectively with startup founders in language and terms they understand is vital for any lawyer hoping to tap into the growing trend for new and imaginative startup businesses.

Chris Sykes is a solicitor co-founder of Dragon Law, and spends most of his time communicating with and mentoring startups.  He will use his experience in this area to explain some of the common issues experienced by founders when it comes to using lawyers and understanding the law.  He will focus on communication (both oral and written) and how this can best be used to help and support clients to the benefit of the client and to the benefit of a startup focused practitioner.

• Why should a lawyer give particular attention to the 'startup' founder
• The modern founder's attitude to law (and lawyers)
• What a founder expects from a lawyer
• Misconceptions about the roles in a company: founder v member v shareholder v partner v director v employee
• How to explain why a contract is important
• Key clauses in a contract that are commonly misunderstood
• Misunderstandings about non-disclosure agreements
• Consultant or employee or neither - dealing with confusion
• Helping founders understand fundraising concepts
• Litigation and alternative dispute resolutions - how to explain pitfalls and benefits