Early in my practice, I made an assumption about trademark law that I now know was completely wrong — and I've since seen it cost business owners real money. When a client came in wanting to register a logo that prominently featured their business name, it seemed to me like a logical two-for-one....
Forming multiple LLCs isn't enough. Learn the two legal theories that can undo your protection — and the daily habits that keep your entities truly separate.
Trying to decide between an LLC and an S-Corp? Here's a plain-English breakdown of the key differences — and how to choose the right structure for your business.
Think you can run your business on handshake deals? Find out the 5 essential contracts every business owner needs in place — before something goes wrong.
After years of working with business owners, I've noticed a pattern: The most successful clients don't just have good lawyers. They know how to use them well. That sounds simple—but it's rare. Most clients either: underuse their lawyer, or misuse them entirely The ones who consi...
Within the first 90 days of working with a client, I can usually tell whether they're going to be successful. Not with perfect certainty—but enough to pay attention. It's not based on their revenue, their industry, or even how sophisticated they are. It comes down to something much simpler: H...
When business owners think about selling their company, most of the attention goes to the deal itself—valuation, tax efficiency, negotiation strategy, and closing mechanics. But there's a quieter question that many founders don't ask until after the deal closes: What does life look like after t...
Not every business needs a full-time, in-house lawyer. But many growing businesses reach a point where legal issues become too frequent and too important to handle reactively. This is especially true for companies that have moved beyond the startup stage and are now managing employees, contract...
For many businesses, the most valuable asset they own is not their equipment, inventory, or even their operating company. It's the brand. That brand may include: trademarks and logos proprietary systems or methods training materials written content recipes, formulas, or...
Many business owners are advised at some point to create a holding company structure. The advice usually sounds something like this: “You should separate your businesses and assets into different LLCs.” So the owner does exactly that. They form a holding company and several subsidiary LLCs...
Many business owners believe that once they form an LLC, their personal assets are protected. Unfortunately, that belief is often wrong. An LLC can provide powerful liability protection—but only if it is respected as a separate legal entity. Courts do not automatically shield owners simply beca...
It happens all the time in small businesses. An employee quits or gets fired, and suddenly there's a dispute about money. Maybe the employee damaged equipment. Maybe they never returned tools or uniforms. Maybe they still owe the company for an advance. The owner thinks: “Fine. I'll just deduct...
Members of closely held LLCs often assume they will have access to the company's financial information and records. In reality, disputes frequently arise when the managers or controlling members refuse to provide documents or access to information. When that happens, minority members can feel stu...
Many business owners are advised to move property into an LLC for liability protection. That advice is often sound. But many owners are shocked to discover that after transferring property into an LLC, their insurance premium increases dramatically—or coverage becomes harder to obtain. If that...
Buying into a business as a minority owner can be exciting. It can also be dangerous. Minority owners often assume: they will be treated fairly, they will receive distributions, they will have access to information, and the majority owner will act reasonably. But without...
S corporations can be one of the most powerful tax tools available to business owners. But they come with a rule that many owners misunderstand: you must pay yourself a reasonable salary. If you don't, you may be saving money in the short term—while creating an IRS audit problem that can cost fa...
Most business owners assume that if they die, their spouse or children will “take over” or “get the business.” But legally, that's not always what happens. In fact, when an owner dies without a clear succession plan, the business often enters a dangerous phase where: ownership is unclear, ...
Most business owners form an LLC because they want protection, flexibility, and simplicity. But many skip the most important document the LLC has: the Operating Agreement. An Operating Agreement is not just paperwork. It's the rulebook that controls what happens when money is made, when owners d...
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law that protects the civilian employment rights of individuals who serve in the uniformed services. While many employers are generally aware that military leave is protected, fewer fully understand the scope of t...
Hiring an associate attorney is a major step for any law firm. The terms you set at the outset shape the firm's culture, protect your business interests, and lay the foundation for a productive long-term professional relationship. At Business Law Group, we are proud to represent law firm owners ...
When clients are working through estate planning or end-of-life decisions, one of the most common questions we hear is deceptively simple: “Does a living will have to be notarized in Louisiana?” The short answer is no — but the details matter. What Is a Living Will Under Louisiana Law? In Lou...
At Business Law Group, we are proud to represent immigrant-owned companies across a wide range of industries. Our clients include green card holders, visa holders, and naturalized citizens who have lawfully built businesses, created jobs, and contributed meaningfully to their communities and the ...
Louisiana employers are often surprised to learn that the state does require some paid jury duty leave, but that requirement is far more limited than many people assume. Here's what Louisiana law actually says—and just as importantly, what it does not say. The Short Answer Yes—but only for one ...
Employers regularly misunderstand their obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—especially when they operate across multiple locations, use remote employees, or experience high employee turnover. The most common mistake is failing to distinguish between whether the employer is c...
Many business owners elect S-corporation tax status to reduce self-employment taxes and optimize compensation. But circumstances change—income fluctuates, payroll becomes burdensome, or a simpler tax structure makes more sense.If your LLC elected to be taxed as an S-corporation and you now want t...