New Creighton Law clinic supports Omaha small businesses
The Creighton University School of Law expanded its clinical offerings in January 2026 with the launch of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic, providing no-cost legal services to small-business owners and entrepreneurs in North and South Omaha.
The clinic builds on a strong foundation of experiential learning, joining the school’s existing Juvenile Justice, Bankruptcy and Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinics. With its addition, 64 law students each year will gain hands-on experience across four clinics, developing the skills and judgment to serve clients with competence and integrity in their careers.
Funded by the North and South Omaha Recovery Grant Program, the clinic is part of a broader effort to strengthen communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting innovative, resilient local initiatives.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic at Creighton Law
Through the clinic, Creighton law students will work directly with a variety of current and aspiring business owners, helping them navigate legal needs such as compliance and contracts while building sustainable ventures. In doing so, students gain real-world experience and contribute to economic opportunity, community stability and the potential for long-term, generational impact.
The idea for the clinic had been years in the making, but for clinic directors Bruce Wray and Shaun Ilahi, the launch in January marked a beginning and an experiment.
“There were a lot of unknowns,” Wray said. “We didn’t know how many clients we’d have or how many students we could support.” They wanted to start small and build it the right way.
They began with three students.
In many ways, those students are helping build the clinic as much as they are participating in it—developing templates, refining processes and shaping how the clinic operates. It’s an experience that mirrors the very work they’re supporting.
Hands-On Legal Education
Structured as a three-credit clinic paired with a one-credit seminar, the program places students at the center of the work. They meet weekly as a class but spend more than 10 hours each week working directly with clients—conducting interviews, researching legal questions, drafting documents and managing communications.
Faculty supervise and guide the process, but the responsibility rests with the students.
“It’s very hands-on,” said second-year law student Iliyani Lambey. “The client interaction comes naturally to me, but the backend work is where I’ve really been learning.”
For third-year student Ian Osdiek, the experience offers something traditional coursework cannot.
Supporting Omaha Entrepreneurs
Since launching its intake process in January, the clinic has seen a steady increase in interest. While the grant prioritizes North and South Omaha, the clinic’s reach continues to evolve as it assesses community needs.
Beyond providing services, it helps clients navigate a system that can feel inaccessible.
“Often times, people don’t know what type of legal help they need,” Wray said. “We can act as a bridge, helping clients understand what other professionals are telling them.”
For Jessica Olson, founder of the Creative Life Podcast, that support came at the right time as her platform grew more complex.
"My podcast is growing,” she said. “I needed structure for partnerships and operations.”
Working with the clinic team, Olson gained clarity while contributing to their learning.
“It’s a great way to learn, but also to understand the community you’re part of,” Lambey said.
For clients, the clinic offers both practical support and a reminder they don’t have to navigate growth alone.
