President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 last December. This $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill funds the federal government's operations, but amidst the countless details are amendments to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on mergers and...
Business Law
Valid grounds for an employee’s dismissal
With the great resignation of 2022, companies struggled to retain employees in this economic climate. Still, there are valid reasons why companies choose to dismiss employees. Some illegal grounds for dismissal include race, age, gender, religious beliefs, sexual...
A deliberate pace best serves new business owners
The world of start-ups is said to be fast-paced, particularly for those involved in tech or rolling out innovative new products. Being there first can be important, but the rush to meet an arbitrary deadline can spell trouble further down the line. It can be...
Why do so many family businesses fail?
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but about 77% of small businesses also have family members involved. These facts mean that three of every four small businesses are family businesses. While many businesses do not make it past the first few...
Landlords may face material noncompliance disputes
Renting out a commercial or residential space involves certain expectations from the landlord. The lease outlines the agreement's terms and conditions in writing. For example, the landlord expects payment of a specific amount at predetermined times, such as the end of...
Smart business owners get prenups before the wedding
Prenuptial agreements were once typically reserved for the super-wealthy. Over time, however, the arrangements have become increasingly common for a broader cross-section of people. Common premises for using one often involve couples getting remarried later in life...
There are signs when an employee commits fraud
Running a small business involves a wide range of challenges. These include drumming up new business, working with vendors, remaining compliant with all applicable regulations, and managing day-to-day operations. Many owners do this with the help of employees. A...
Fixed-price building contracts offer certain advantages
Builders, contractors and others in the construction industry don't do any work without a signed contract. When determining costs, they may use a basic scale for hourly wages or bid on the job and provide a total. The latter format is known as a fixed-price contract....
Equally dividing a family business among the kids can be a mistake
Parents do their best to love their children and treat them equally. This often carries over to a business succession plan where each child gets an equal share in the business. It may make the most sense on paper, but it could be a mistake. Equal shares can be a...
What is civil litigation?
Many people are aware of the word litigation, which is the legal term for the process of going to court to settle a dispute. It may occur in front of a judge or a jury and a judge. There are two main types of litigation: criminal and civil. Civil litigation refers to...