At a Negotiation Impasse? A Mediator May Help Bring Resolution
Mediation is becoming a more popular way for individuals and businesses to settle differences. Prompted by the expense of litigation and the long wait to get on the docket, mediation offers a quicker, less expensive way to negotiate disputes. In fact, some jurisdictions actually require that the parties mediate before a case can move to…
Can Businesses Sue for Online Slander and/or Defamation?
More often than not, we hear about defamation cases, either libel or slander, in the context of individuals. However, with the continuing growth of social media and online business reviews and the effect that they have on business reputation, many businesses are getting into the defamation mix. Why the Bad Reviews? People are far more…
Dealing with Product Liability Charges in Wisconsin
Business owners generally owe their success to the reputation of their business – a reputation that can easily be tarnished if it is known for producing or selling defective products. There’s a lot of talk about businesses caring only about the bottom line and not about consumers; however, business owners know that producing quality goods…
Recent Changes for Enforcing Non-Compete Agreements in Wisconsin
Current Wisconsin law provides that employers may place restrictions on an employee or agent’s right to compete with the employer or principal. These restrictions are limited to the term of the employment or agency relationship plus a reasonable and specified time afterwards, within a specified territory. Furthermore, the restrictions must be reasonably necessary to protect…
What to Do When Your Partner Is Stealing from the Company
It seems straightforward enough – when someone steals from us, they owe us. Right? Well, in the land of Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC), it’s not so straightforward. While such business structures afford its members certain protections from a tax or liability standpoint, when it comes to corporate theft, there are specific formalities that…
What to Do if My Company Is Being Sued
If you have ever been served with legal documents, you know that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Finding out your company is being sued can be a highly stressful experience. Before panic sets in, take a breath and know that there is help out there. The key thing is to act promptly, as…
Do I Need a License to Operate my WI Business?
Most businesses, regardless of their size, are required to have some sort of licensing to operate. Often, depending on the location and type of business, multiple licenses must be obtained to legally run a business in Wisconsin. The purpose of a business license is to alert the government to the existence of the business to…
As a Minority Member of a Wisconsin LLC, What Are My Rights?
Due to the potential for oppression of minority members of limited liability companies (LLCs), the State of Wisconsin has developed a comprehensive set of laws governing LLCs. While these laws set forth default principles of LLC management and operation, these default principles can be over-written by written agreement between the members. Wisconsin Minority Member Default…
Business Mediation in Wisconsin – Your Options
Businesses of all sizes and structures are exposed to the threat of disputes from customers, other companies, vendors, business partners, and employees. Issues that arise over the course of a company’s lifetime can have devastating effects on profits due to the legal costs necessitated by conflicts in commercial litigation. In recent years, however, alternatives to…