Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about trademarks so I thought I’d provide a few answers here just in case you have the same questions: I’m just a small business why do I need a trademark? Even though you may only be operating in a limited market or geographic area, the ever-shrinking global marketplace requires… Continue reading Does your small business need trademarks?
Those of you outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex might not be aware of an Arlington woman’s lawsuit against the publisher of the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy (the “50 Shades Case”). In a recent decision, a Texas trial court found in favor of the Arlington-based Plaintiff (no amount awarded yet, that’s the next step in the suit). You can… Continue reading Three Lessons from the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Lawsuit
Picking the “right” corporate form when starting a business can be a daunting and confusing task. Except for a few legally-mandated forms for certain types of business, you’ll likely have several corporate forms to choose from–all having pros & cons. There may not be a wrong answer . . . but it’s always more efficient and economical to start with the… Continue reading Things to consider when forming a new business as a LLC.
In a case involving allegations of minority shareholder oppression in a closely held corporation1, the Texas Supreme Court declined to create a common-law cause of action for minority shareholder oppression in Texas. The Court reviewed the common complaints brought by minority shareholders, especially those involving “squeeze-out” or “freeze-out” tactics—(1) denial of access to corporate books… Continue reading Texas Supreme Court declines to recognize a common-law cause of action for “minority shareholder oppression.”
Whether you are starting up or already running, it is important to understand how to avoid inadvertently creating personal liability when contracting for your business.** Although there are some situations where personal liability is unavoidable–such as obtaining financing–there are some tips for avoiding personal liability in other situations: **Keep in mind that this is general… Continue reading Contract Tips: Avoiding Personal Liability
I recently attended a Texas Rangers’ baseball game. We sat in the upper deck. And, as the sixth inning came to a close some folks in the section next to us decided to start “the wave.” Their first attempt was pretty feeble, with about 20 people lifting their hands. Undeterred, the organizers made a second… Continue reading Ride the Wave for Startup Success!
I’ve been getting a lot of questions re. how to pick the right attorney for your startup / smallbiz lately so thought I’d re-post this blog from last year: I ran across a few articles & posts that reiterate my theme of having a solid support network for your new business — including the need… Continue reading M&M Monday: Selecting the right attorney for your startup/smallbiz
Bringing on a new hire is often chaotic for small businesses, especially those that do not have a fully defined or step-by-step employee on-boarding process. Here are some things that might help smooth out the transition: Prepare for and plan your new hire’s first three days: Your employee’s first days on the job will impact… Continue reading M&M Monday: Smoothing the New Hire Onboarding Process
Leasing property for your business for the first time can be a daunting task. The list of considerations is unending and, in considering those that are the most obvious—location, accessibility, and your space and functional support needs—it is easy to overlook some other critical things to consider: Liability of Leasing Before Formation/Personal Liability for the… Continue reading M&M Monday: Things to Consider When Leasing Property
I recently attended a Buyer/Vender Forum presented by Agenda for Building Capacity (ABC) in Fort Worth. ABC—a collaborative of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Texas, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Tarrant County Asian American Chamber… Continue reading M&M Monday: Navigating the Bid Process
My Texas General Counsel 