Going to court to settle a dispute is something most people want to avoid, especially business owners. Even if you end up winning your case, litigation is time consuming, costly, and almost never good for your brand. Yet, whether it’s with an employee, client, vendor, or some other entity, disputes are practically inevitable for all […]
Read MoreIt’s challenging enough to run a successful business without having to worry about getting sued. But in today’s highly litigious society, lawsuits are all-too-common, and you should take every necessary precaution to protect your company from unnecessary litigation. One of the worst aspects of lawsuits is that even if you win, you’re still on the […]
Read MoreThis week the Department of Labor issued an opinion letter signaling that it’s siding with business owners when it comes to determining whether gig workers like Uber drivers should be classified as employees or independent contractors. The DOL letter concluded these workers are contractors, not employees, and as such, they’re not entitled to federal protections […]
Read MoreIf you haven’t yet heard about the legislative initiative sweeping across the country known as “Ban the Box,” you probably will soon. Indeed, if your company is located in one of the 33 states or more than 150 cities and counties that have adopted such laws, you risk legal penalties and lawsuits if you’re not […]
Read MoreWhen it comes to intellectual property (IP), you’re probably familiar with things like patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Yet, these are just terms describing how businesses can legally protect certain types of IP. Though such terms offer a general idea about what IP is, they don’t fully explain how it works. And whether you know it […]
Read MoreIt’s estimated that one-in-three small businesses is sued or threatened with a lawsuit at some point in its life cycle. And even if you end up winning the suit, the price of defending yourself in court can be massively expensive in terms of lawyer fees and court costs. Seeing that you face potentially ruinous risks […]
Read MoreThe whirlwind of excitement and activity surrounding the launch of a startup can feel overwhelming. You’re so focused on managing the day-to-day logistics of getting your business up and running, you often don’t have time to focus on the bigger picture. Because of this, it can be easy to overlook some perilous legal pitfalls that […]
Read MoreCorrectly classifying workers as employees or independent contractors has always been tricky. Depending on the regulatory agency involved and whether you’re dealing with state or federal law, there are numerous different factors and tests that can apply to your decision. In April 2018, a ruling by the California Supreme Court added a new test to […]
Read MoreGlobalization and digital technology have made the world seem like a much smaller place. And though the enhanced ability to reach international markets can be a major advantage for your business, it also opens up new complications with intellectual property rights. This is especially true when it comes to foreign trademark infringement. Trademarks are used […]
Read MoreNearly every week, the news is filled with headlines announcing that some big company lost or was forced to settle a lawsuit for mega millions. While big-name corporations may be able to survive such litigation relatively unscathed, for small and medium-sized businesses, just a single lawsuit could sink your entire operation. Even if your company […]
Read MoreMany entrepreneurs structure their businesses as limited liability companies (LLC) because like corporations, LLCs offer personal liability protection for their owners. But unlike corporations, LLCs are not legally required to adhere to many of the same corporate formalities required of corporations. Given that LLCs offer the liability protection of a corporation, without all of the […]
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