For the love of your business

Articles to LIFT Your Life and Business

Protecting Your Company From Patent Trolls

The term “patent troll” has entered the corporate vernacular thanks in large part to the ongoing “smartphone patent wars” as well as the increasing number of companies that have begun to take a stand in fighting the malicious behavior of entities that exist solely for filing frivolous patent litigation. According to a White House report […]

Read More

Will Your Company’s Non-Compete Agreement Be Enforceable

Non-compete agreements have traditionally been a trusted business tool to help companies protect proprietary information that is central to their business.  However, the proliferation of these agreements in the past decade or so has caused them to lose their teeth in courts across the country.  Here are some tips on implementing non-compete agreements that will […]

Read More

How to Protect Your Intellectual Property

Beyond the products or services you offer, your company has intellectual property that needs to be rigorously protected.  Too often, business owners and entrepreneurs neglect to put the proper safeguards in place, which can lead to big legal expenses down the road. Here are 6 costly IP mistakes you need to avoid to protect your […]

Read More

3 Steps to Maximize Profits When Selling Your Company

If you are planning to sell your company now or sometime in the future, a recent Forbes.com article advises that there are 3 strategies you should use to get as much cash out of your hard work in building the business as possible: Pre-sale planning.  Look for opportunities to increase the sale price of your […]

Read More

Why Every Business Owner Needs an Estate Plan

Most business owners build a business with an endgame in mind: either cashing it out or passing it on.  Whatever your scenario is for what happens to your business when you retire or die, it is not likely to happen without a comprehensive plan that aligns your personal and business objectives. If you plan to […]

Read More

If You Build It, You Best Protect It

Consider all the time you have spent or will spend building your business – and then consider how much energy you have spent on how to protect it or protect your family from it. Unfortunately, many small business owners don’t give much thought to asset protection until it’s too late – when a suit is […]

Read More

How to Build a Business That Endures

If you have built a successful business and plan to leave it to your heirs or business partners, doing so is not a process that just happens naturally after you retire or die.  If you don’t have a buy-sell agreement, a business succession plan, a business transition plan or a business preservation plan in place, […]

Read More

Organizational Structures for Socially Conscious Companies

Social consciousness at the corporate level has become an increasingly more important point of differentiation for many companies, and some companies today exist primarily to fill a social purpose.  So what is the best business structure for these companies?  There are several from which to choose: Benefit Corporations.  Seven states, including California, allow for Benefit […]

Read More

Lessons on Business Succession from the British Royals

The recent birth of Prince George Alexander Louis to Prince William and Kate Middleton gives the House of Windsor a living 4th generation heir to the throne.  Prince George will undoubtedly need to wait for 60 or more years until he ascends to that throne, given the longevity that runs in his bloodline.  His grandfather, […]

Read More

10 Legal Myths That Could Endanger Your Business

Inc. magazine recently wrote an article that made me realize many business people are flying blind about the legal parts of business.  These are all places you could get in trouble, if you aren’t awake, aware and doing business with your eyes wide open. Personal assets are protected by the right business entity.  Choosing a […]

Read More

How to Conduct the Perfect Interview

Savvy business owners know that there are few legal landmines they need to side-step when interviewing candidates for a job.  Sometimes, though, even the best get caught with their proverbial foot in the mouth by asking a question that to them seems innocent enough but could land the company in legal hot water. Here are […]

Read More

Looking for a licensed Family Business Lawyer?