About the Training

Join us for this free online training; we’ll walk you through the key steps every small business owner should take to stay organized, compliant, and protected.

The first half of the training will focus on practical legal basics: the records you need to keep updated, how to maintain limited liability, and what steps are essential for taxes and employment. You’ll learn how to spot common legal risks and build strong business practices that support long-term stability.

The second half of the training will shift to an equally important topic: what to do if federal agents visit your small business’s workplace. We’ll cover how to keep your employee documentation in order, like I-9 forms, and how to handle these situations calmly, confidently, and legally.

This training is especially helpful for small business owners with limited staff, those new to business ownership, and anyone looking for clear, trustworthy legal guidance. Whether you’re just getting started or want to tighten up your document systems, this session will give you tools to better protect your business and your team.

A compliance checklist for small businesses will be provided to all attendees as a part of your takeaway resources.

This training is funded by the Seattle Office of Economic Development and we thank them for their partnership.

About the Presenters

Kripa Upadhyay, Attorney / Of Counsel at Buchalter

Kripa Upadhyay is an attorney with Buchalter, P.C. in their Seattle, WA office. Her practice intersects Immigration, Regulatory Compliance, and International Trade Law.

She routinely advises and represents business owners in I-9 audits before the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Office of Chief Administrative Officer (OCAHO) defending business owners in I-9 compliance investigations.

Kripa has been frequently recognized as a leader in immigration law by publications such as Chambers and Partners, as well as Super Lawyers. She is frequently interviewed by national and international media including publications like Newsweek and Bloomberg News.

Talya West, Small Business Attorney at Communities Rise

Talya has extensive experience providing legal support to small businesses, drawing on years of work at a boutique firm focused on advising entrepreneurs, small businesses, and mission-driven ventures. Her practice has included contract drafting and negotiation, entity formation, and general counsel services for clients across a variety of industries. She is especially committed to supporting women- and BIPOC-led organizations, and her work centers on empowering traditionally underserved communities through accessible legal guidance and strategic support.

Talya grew up in Türkiye and traveled throughout Europe and South America before settling in Seattle.