Mastering the Legal Aspects of Your Business
About this Event
📅 Dates: August 6–7, 2026
📍 Location: Isleta Casino Resort – Manzano & Sunrise Rooms
⏱ Program Length: Two Days
👥 Audience: Small business owners, entrepreneurs, economic development professionals, community members, tribal leaders, attorneys, and judges
Welcome to Mastering the Legal Aspects of Your Business
Every entrepreneur and business owner can benefit from understanding the legal foundations of starting, operating, and growing a business. But for many people in rural areas and tribal communities, access to attorneys and legal guidance can be limited, expensive, or difficult to navigate.
That is why The ACES School is bringing the legal knowledge to you.
Join us for a two-day workshop designed to make key legal issues more accessible for entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, tribal leaders, and community members. Licensed attorneys and experienced professionals will cover practical topics, including business registration, employment law, workplace ethics, tribal preference, nonprofit governance, contracts, capital, taxation, legal risk, and sustainable business growth.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from presenters, ask general questions, and gain practical tools for protecting their businesses, strengthening operations, and planning for long-term success.
All participants are welcome and encouraged to join us for an evening mixer on August 6, where they can meet the presenters, connect with other attendees, and enjoy food and drinks.
New Mexico CLE credit is pending approval. This program has been submitted for up to 8.0 general CLE credits. Non-CLE attendees are welcome!
Space is limited, so register early.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from and interface with licensed attorneys and business professionals. See you there!
Day 1
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet and Welcome
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
From Idea to Entity: Choosing and Registering the Right Business Structure
Host: Joseph Austin
Info: Learning Objective: Compare common business structures and identify the legal, tax, governance, and jurisdictional considerations involved in forming and registering a business.
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:55 AM
People, Policies, and Protection: Employment Law, Workplace Ethics, and Tribal
Host: Alexandra Mojado
Info: Learning Objective: Identify key employment-law requirements, workplace ethics considerations, and tribal preference policies that affect tribal and Native-owned businesses.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Beyond the 501(c)(3): Building and Governing a Strong Nonprofit
Host: Darrah Blackwater
Info: Learning Objective: Examine the legal requirements, fiduciary duties, and governance practices necessary to establish and maintain a compliant and effective nonprofit organization.
🕑: 02:25 PM - 03:55 PM
Fueling Your Business: Capital, Taxation, and Legal Risk
Host: Chase Velasquez
Info: Learning Objective: Examine the legal, tax, and jurisdictional issues associated with loans, grants, investors, collateral, and other sources of business capital.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Networking Reception
Day 2
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Contracts That Protect Your Business: Drafting, Negotiating, and Managing Risk
Host: Francisco Olea
Info: Learning Objective: Identify essential contract provisions and evaluate issues involving negotiation, enforcement, jurisdiction, sovereign immunity, and risk management
🕑: 10:25 AM - 11:40 AM
Built to Last: Practical Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth
Host: Haley Garcia
Info: Learning Objective: Identify legal and regulatory strategies for managing growth, protecting assets, maintaining compliance, and supporting long-term business stability.
Where is it happening?
USD 55.20 to USD 108.55
