Business Owners

I run across a surprising number of business owners who simply ignore a lawsuit.  Maybe they don't realize they've been sued.  Maybe they believe they've received just their first notice.  Maybe they believe if they ignore it it will just go away.  But they have, they haven't, and it won't.   A Plaintiff, the person suing,...

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A few weeks ago I broke my left elbow.  "Good thing you're not left-handed" my doctor said with a chuckle.  Well, I am left-handed so that's a big help.  Now what? As a true solo practitioner I had a brief moment of panic - how am I going to work with my arm in a sling?  Now, I realize I'm not laying tile or playing the violin ...

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There seems to be a significant difference between what lawyers have been taught to provide and what potential clients expect to get from an initial consultation.  I blame those TV commercials that suggest lawyers can and will solve all your problems in one meeting.  No lawyer can do that and if any lawyer tells you otherwise, call someon...

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Virtual offices and executive suites provide a fantastic alternative for business owners who want the trappings of an office without the significant overhead.  As beneficial as these arrangements are, they can leave clients high and dry if the virtual office owner stops paying rent. There are three rungs on this particular ladder: Build...

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Last week I met with a small business owner whose registered agent had access to her business bank accounts.  A short investigation revealed this particular registered agent had formed dozens of corporations and named himself secretary, giving him access to the bank accounts.  We quickly dissolved the corporation and reformed an LLC ...

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I often speak with business owners who are ready to hire workers.  While this is a big step for a small business, many owners believe they can avoid paying employment taxes simply by calling these workers independent contractors.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but calling them independent contractors does not necessarily make them ...

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Last week I was on the panel for a continuing legal education class at the UNLV Boyd School of Law called "How to Start a Law Practice."  The audience was comprised of law students, recent graduates, and licensed attorneys.  We had a good turnout either because of widespread layoffs in the legal profession or because all the lawyers ...

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What is it? "Owners' Agreement" is a general term that can refer to any document that addresses issues like owners' rights, compensation systems, succession planning, management roles, and shareholder disputes.  Owners' agreements include partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, operating agreements, stock option a...

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