Who Is Responsible for Protecting Shareholders’ Rights?
If you own stock in a corporation, it is important that you are educated about your rights as a shareholder. Even if you have ownership rights through an investment of capital in a corporation that is not publicly traded, questions can still arise about shareholder rights. One of the most significant of these questions is:…
Understanding the Differences: Employees and Independent Contractors
If you own a business, or are involved with personnel or human resource management, it is critical that you understand the difference between an independent contractor and an employee. For both tax and liability reasons, you must properly designate an individual as an employee or an independent contractor. Intentionally misclassifying an individual as an independent…
What to Know Before Beginning a Condominium Development Project
If you are a real estate developer, you already know about the complexity and quantity of issues that interplay with each other when putting together a successful project. Whether it is a mall, an office complex, a housing development or a condominium, there are many different disciplines that are needed, including architects, planners, financiers, lawyers,…
Eliminating Uncertainty During the Business Buying Process
If success is the ultimate goal when buying a business, then it must be understood that preparation and due diligence is critical to the outcome. Hastily-made agreements and decisions often doom businesses when a new owner takes control. Careful investigation of a business’ assets, liabilities, and history must be performed in order to maximize the…
How to Apply for – and Maintain – Your Business’ LLC Status
If you are in the process of incorporating a new limited liability corporation (“LLC”) or changing the designation of an existing business to an LLC, there are some legal issues you need to be aware of. Although there are many advantages in operating as an LLC, including the ability to avoid personal liability, being freed…
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…
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…