Business Law

While most businesses have anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies in place, many still face harassment or discrimination lawsuits because they fail to enforce those policies. More often than not, these are for repeat incidents that have, for one reason or another, gone unresolved. However, a recent report from the Bureau of National Affairs suggests that there are more single incident cases today than there were just mere years ago, and that can mean serious trouble for employers who fall short in providing a safe workplace environment for all. In my practice […]

In the age of social media, multi-level marketing companies seem to be more prevalent than ever before. For people of a certain age, it is nearly impossible to scroll through Facebook without seeing at least one friend or acquaintance posting about the cosmetics, essential oils, kitchen gadgets, or dietary supplements that changed their life—and they are offering you the same opportunity! Even better, you can become a consultant/associate/team member as well, and make enough money to quit your day job! As a business law attorney, I am as skeptical as […]

As a business owner and a business law attorney, I understand how important it is to be honest and straightforward with my clients. Doing so should be a high priority for any business owner. When you own a franchise, however, things are often a little more complicated. Take, for example, the disclaimer that is read at the end of virtually every advertisement for a specific item at any national chain restaurant—the part where the voiceover announcer states, “At participating locations only; price and participation may vary.” Ads like these are […]

Now that summer is over and the kids are back to school, most people who celebrate the “typical” holidays are preparing for Halloween. While retailers’ shelves are full of orange and black decorations, spooky costumes, and sweet treats, you might have started to see the first signs of Christmas merchandise as well. For the average person, it may seem far too early to begin thinking about Christmas, but for many businesses—especially those associated with retail—it really is time to start preparing for the winter holiday season. As a business law […]

We have officially made it to October. For many people, the month of October is seen as the transition from summer to autumn, complete with falling leaves, campfires, and pumpkin spice lattes. For others, however, the arrival of October means just one thing: Halloween is right around the corner. If you are already getting excited in anticipation of scary celebrations, you are not alone. In fact, Americans spent almost $9 billion on Halloween purchases last year. While some of the spending went toward candy and treats, nearly $6 billion was […]

Regardless of the sector in which you operate a business, your company would not exist if you did not have clients or customers. Without someone to buy your services or products, there would be no reason for you to continue offering them. For most business owners, including the clients of my business law practice, serving customers is among the most important priorities. In addition to offering quality products and services, such owners also strive to provide a first-class experience for their customers. Unfortunately, there are always going to be people […]

In my practice as a business law attorney, I have helped many clients with the complex process of selling their companies. For many, the decision to sell is one of the most difficult choices of their professional lives. For others, building and selling a successful company at a profit was the goal from the very beginning. Selling a business, however, is not a decision that only small business owners must make. Large, well-known businesses are sold to even bigger companies on a fairly regular basis. The most recent example of […]

When you own a business, you need to find ways to set your company apart from your competitors. In some industries, you might be able to do so by offering the best products, while in others offering products or services at the lowest price might help you stand out from the crowd. In certain sectors, however, most of the “players” might offer similar products at similar prices while relying on brand loyalty on the part of customers. This scenario seems to be the present case with fast-food and casual dining […]

While no two people are exactly the same, there is a characteristic that is commonly shared by those who start and own businesses. Business owners are generally motivated individuals who are willing to invest time, money, and energy into a concept or a commercial venture. Along with this willingness often comes a general desire to be in control of the situation. As a business owner myself, as well as a business law attorney, I have come to understand that the level of control that business owners often desire is not […]

As a business owner and a business law attorney, I recognize that it is extremely important for successful companies to continue to look for ways in which they can connect with potential customers. I also believe that business owners should have a strong awareness of the current social and economic conditions of the areas where they operate. Perhaps that is why the recent announcement of a new product from Hasbro caught my attention in the way that it did. According to the toymaker, a new version of a classic board […]