Certainly! Here's a detailed blog article you can use: Three Years In: Over 2,000 Proceedings Signal a New Era of Trademark Clean-Up When the Trademark Modernization Act (TMA) was signed into law in December 2020 and implemented in late 2021, it promised to streamline trademark enforcement an...
8 Common Estate Planning Mistakes When Establishing a Revocable Trust Revocable living trusts are powerful tools in estate planning, offering a way to avoid opening a succession, maintain privacy, and streamline the distribution of assets. But even the best intentions can be undermined by common...
Small business owners can save money, stay legally compliant, and reduce risks by outsourcing general counsel, ensuring proactive legal support for contracts, employment law, compliance, and long-term growth.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney has significantly impacted how courts evaluate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) injunctions under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Previously, courts applied different standards, with some deferring to the NLRB’s preliminary findings. Now, all courts must use the stricter four-part Winter test, requiring the NLRB to prove a higher likelihood of success on the merits. This decision affects labor law enforcement by making it harder for the NLRB to secure injunctions against employers accused of unfair labor practices.
The Eighth Circuit’s ruling in *Connelly v. United States* has major implications for business succession planning, particularly for owners using buy-sell agreements funded by corporate-owned life insurance. The decision confirms that life insurance proceeds can inflate corporate valuations for estate tax purposes, increasing tax liabilities for estates. Business owners should reconsider their buy-sell structures, weighing the benefits of cross-purchase agreements versus entity-purchase (redemption) agreements. This case highlights the need for proactive estate planning, including the potential use of irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) to minimize tax exposure. Stay ahead of IRS scrutiny—review your buy-sell agreements today with a legal or tax professional.
A legal strategy to prevent the unauthorized reselling of your baked goods to third parties.
Operating agreements serve as the backbone of a limited liability company (LLC), governing the relationships between members, outlining decision-making processes, and protecting the company's legal structure. In Louisiana—a community property state—crafting a well-structured operating agreement i...
When should I trademark my business name?
In today's dynamic business environment, professional services contracts are essential for defining relationships between service providers and clients. These agreements, encompassing roles from consultants to freelance professionals, establish clear terms and protect the interests of all parties...
When applying for a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you must select at least one trademark class that best represents the goods or services you offer. Choosing the correct class is crucial because it determines the scope of your legal protection. What Are Tr...
Commercial title insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects property owners, lenders, and investors from financial losses related to title defects in commercial real estate transactions. It ensures that the title to a property is legally valid, free from undisclosed encumbrances, and t...
The second in our series of 2024 employment law updates is the result of the United States Supreme Court case of Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, 144 S.Ct. 967 (2024). The case creates a precedent that changes in an employee's working conditions do not have to be “materially significant” for a Plain...
Launching a podcast is exciting, but growing one is where the real challenge begins. As your subscriber count increases, so does the value of your podcast's brand. If you're building a loyal audience, monetizing your content, or expanding your influence, protecting your podcast's name and identit...
We get this question all the time from both employees and employers. Whether you have to pay overtime to an employee who receives an annual salary depends on whether they are classified as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Just because you pay an employee an annual...
Under federal law, nursing employees are entitled to lactation breaks and a private, functional, non-bathroom space to pump milk. This right is provided by the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act. However, whether these breaks are paid or unpaid depends on specifi...
Will putting my immovable property in a trust negate the step up in basis my heirs will receive when I die?
Negotiating a commercial lease is a complex process with many moving parts. One of the most important tools to streamline this process is a Letter of Intent (LOI). While not legally binding in most cases, an LOI sets the stage for successful negotiations and ensures that both parties are aligned ...
What you should do as an employee when you believe your employer has improperly classified you as an independent contractor instead of as an employee?
Describes what the concept of piercing the corporate veil is.
what is redlining a contract
what happens when we get sued? Look for your indemnification clauses.
Wage payment laws are critical to ensuring fair treatment and compensation for employees. Among the most litigated issues in this area is whether bonuses and commissions qualify as “wages” under wage payment statutes. In the 2024 Regular Session, the Louisiana legislature enacted La R.S. 23:631(E...
For many companies, a physical location is an integral part of the business. Whether your business owns or leases property to give customers a physical place to do business with you, or the business engages in buying
Forming a limited liability company (LLC) to hold rental property offers numerous benefits for real estate investors, from asset protection to tax advantages. However, there are also specific considerations to keep in mind, such as loan implications and insurance costs when making a decision to t...
Rental properties can be an excellent way to produce an income. With the ability to hire property managers and the ease with which you can look up maintenance and repair companies anywhere, landlords do not even need to live in the same city or state as their rental properties. Despite the many b...