If you're a Louisiana attorney and the sole owner of your law practice, you may assume your license shields your business from the reach of community property laws. Unfortunately, that assumption is wrong. If your law practice was formed during your marriage, the business itself is considered a ...
Business Law Blog
How to Liquidate a Louisiana LLC: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide
When it's time to bring a Louisiana limited liability company (LLC) to an end—whether due to strategic shifts, member decisions, or unforeseen events—business owners must follow a legally compliant process to dissolve and liquidate the company. This blog post walks you through the critical steps ...
100% Accelerated Depreciation Is Back: What Real Estate Investors Need to Know
A powerful tax strategy is poised to return—and for real estate investors and business owners, it could mean massive first-year write-offs and improved cash flow for investment property. Under the recently passed Tax Cut, Bonus or Accelerated Depreciation is a tax cut that is set to be reinstate...
When Co-Owners Can’t Agree: What Happens When a House Faces Foreclosure?
Owning property jointly can offer many benefits—shared expenses, family legacy, and financial investment. But what happens when the relationship between co-owners breaks down, and worse, the property ends up in foreclosure? This is a question we hear more and more frequently at Business Law Group...
Five Red Flags in a Construction Agreement Every Owner Should Watch Out For
When it comes to construction projects—whether you're building a new office, renovating a retail space, or constructing a dream home—a well-drafted construction contract is crucial. This contract is your roadmap, your shield, and your compass throughout the project. Yet, many owners sign on the d...
How do I Maximize Tax Benefits When Exiting a Failing LLC?
Sometimes investments and business dreams don't go according to plan. When you're ready to exit an LLC that you've invested in—especially one where you've committed a substantial amount of capital —how you leave that LLC can significantly impact the tax treatment of your lost investment. One of t...
Everything You Need to Know Before Filing Your Trademark
As an entrepreneur, you've worked hard to build your business name, logo, and reputation. Naturally, you want to protect it. That's where trademark registration comes in — securing your brand so no one else can legally profit from your hard work. But let's be honest: the trademark process can fe...
Understanding the Licensing Requirements for Video Poker Gaming in Louisiana
Louisiana's video poker industry is highly regulated under state law, primarily administered by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) and enforced by the Office of State Police, Gaming Enforcement Division. Anyone seeking to engage in video poker gaming — whether as a premises owner offering ...
Beware of Trademark Fee Scams Masquerading as Official Invoices
At Business Law Group, we are committed to protecting our clients not only throughout the trademark application process but also from deceptive practices that follow it. One of the most persistent threats facing trademark owners today? Scam invoices designed to appear as legitimate government com...
Reverse Discrimination is not a Thing: What the Ames Decision Means
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services has brought much-needed clarity to the interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For business owners, HR professionals, and employment counsel, understanding the implications of this ruling is ess...
Tapping Into Opportunity: Out-of-State Alcohol Suppliers and the Louisiana Market
Louisiana has long been recognized for its rich culture, culinary excellence, and—unsurprisingly—its thriving beverage alcohol industry. With a strong tourism sector and year-round demand from both locals and visitors, Louisiana offers a highly attractive market for out-of-state alcohol manufactu...
Using a Family Holding Company for Multiple Married-Owned Businesses
Why Louisiana Couples Should Consider a Centralized LLC Structure Entrepreneurial couples in Louisiana often find themselves juggling multiple businesses: a real estate investment here, an e-commerce venture there, perhaps a consulting firm or side hustle. While each of these may be operating un...
When Profitability Falls Short: How Franchisees Can Navigate an Exit Strategy
How to get out of my franchise
Why Married Louisianians with Single Member LLCs Need an Operating Agreement and Estate Plan
Why single member LLCs in Louisiana where the single member is married need an operating agreement and an estate plan that addresses death and divorce.
Clearing the Path: How the Trademark Modernization Act is Reshaping the USPTO Register
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 Mistakes in Setting up a Louisiana Revocable Trust
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...
Why Your Small Business Needs Outsourced General Counsel: The Hidden Benefits of Consistent Legal Support
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 NLRB and Section 10(j) Injunctions After Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney: A New Era or Business as Usual?
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.
Connelly v. United States: A Game Changer for Business Owner Buy-Sell Planning?
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.
Protecting your Trademarked Products: How to Prevent the Unauthorized Resale of Your Baked Goods
A legal strategy to prevent the unauthorized reselling of your baked goods to third parties.
Mastering LLCs: Crafting Robust Operating Agreements and Navigating Veil Piercing in Louisiana
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...
Should You Trademark Your Business Name?
When should I trademark my business name?
Why off the Shelf Professional Services Contracts Don't Cut it
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...
How to Determine Which Class to Register Your Trademark In?
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...
What is Commercial Title Insurance?
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...