Recent Blog Posts
Protect Your Business Before You Sign a Commercial Lease
Commercial tenants are often under the mistaken belief that their are non-negotiable except for the rental rate and lease term. “Large-space” commercial tenants, especially, have more flexibility in negotiating their leases and should take advantage of that. One of the most important, and often overlooked, terms in a commercial lease is the Termination Clause.… Finish Reading Protect Your Business Before You Sign a Commercial Lease
List of ‘Do Not Knock’ Towns is Growing
If you haven’t heard of “Do Not Knock” laws yet, you will soon. And if you own or operate a business that does any door-to-door sales, you need to be aware of these local / municipal ordinances. In Massachusetts Haverhill, Methuen and most recently, Marlborough, among potentially others, have all passed ordinances that prohibit door-to-door… Finish Reading List of ‘Do Not Knock’ Towns is Growing
The Reason Why Your Small Business’s Assets Are Protected Best By Local Banks
Most small-business owners in Massachusetts understandably maintain accounts at nationally recognized and reputable banks. However, clever business litigation lawyers would suggest small- businesses avoid these types of accounts. During litigation, both parties focus on winning arguments and having courts rule in their favor. Unfortunately, lawyers who have experience winning judgments quickly learn that winning… Finish Reading The Reason Why Your Small Business’s Assets Are Protected Best By Local Banks
Minutebooks: How Avoiding Seemingly Mundane Paperwork Can Cost Your Business Dearly
Corporate entities must be sure to keep excellent paper records which are orderly and up-to-date. Failure to properly maintain corporate business records creates unnecessary problems with the IRS, jeopardizes the limitation of liability for corporate officers, and hurts your business’s reputation with potential buyers or lenders. A typical minutebook should include at a minimum:… Finish Reading Minutebooks: How Avoiding Seemingly Mundane Paperwork Can Cost Your Business Dearly
Considerations to Remember When Vetting Prospective Employees
Due to workplace safety concerns, background screening is a universal practice for employers. Companies must know that applicants possess the promised credentials, do not have a history of fraud/theft, and will not pose a threat to others. However, Massachusetts public policy often leans in favor of employees at the expense of employers. Criminal record… Finish Reading Considerations to Remember When Vetting Prospective Employees
An Update Regarding Arbitration Clauses For Employment/Independent Contractor Agreements
Many business owners have multiple employees and/or rely on independent contractors to perform services related to their business. Anyone who has sought legal counsel from The Jacobs Law LLC on the use of independent contractors (especially in Massachusetts) knows that doing so is a legal minefield. (Here is an old blog we wrote on… Finish Reading An Update Regarding Arbitration Clauses For Employment/Independent Contractor Agreements
“EMPLOYEE” OF CONTRACTOR NOT BOUND BY ARBITRATION CLAUSE IN CONTRACT BETWEEN CONTRACTOR AND UP-THE-CHAIN THIRD PARTY
Business owners typically have little trouble with enforcement of arbitration agreements against disgruntled contractors or employees. Written arbitration agreements are difficult to overturn and are usually enforced; even in the context of employment agreements. However, In Ouadani v. TF Final Mile LLC (fka Dynamex), 876 F.3d 31, 33 (2017), the 1st Circuit Court of… Finish Reading “EMPLOYEE” OF CONTRACTOR NOT BOUND BY ARBITRATION CLAUSE IN CONTRACT BETWEEN CONTRACTOR AND UP-THE-CHAIN THIRD PARTY
Three Shocking Pitfalls for Condominium Developers
In Massachusetts the appeal of condominium ownership continues to grow. Both the Warren Group and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported that in March of 2018 the median sale price of a condo was significantly greater than that of a house. This median sale price has grown 16 to 20 percent compared to a… Finish Reading Three Shocking Pitfalls for Condominium Developers
USPTO Introduces Pilot Program To Fight Fake Specimens – What You Need To Know
As more companies have stressed the importance of brand protection, the USPTO has seen an increase in trademark applications. Often, Applicants apply for trademarks with a broad scope of goods and services, as they do not know how they are going to grow and expand as a company. When filing an in-use application, some… Finish Reading USPTO Introduces Pilot Program To Fight Fake Specimens – What You Need To Know
What Do I Do If My Trademark Has Been Opposed?
A few months after filing your trademark, you will hear from a Trademark Examiner regarding your application. Assuming there are no issues, an Examiner will publish your mark for “opposition.” This blawg will explain what it means to have an application published for opposition, and this process with the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board… Finish Reading What Do I Do If My Trademark Has Been Opposed?
