Author: Linsi Tuttle

In my practice as a business law attorney, I am often asked about various types of agreements and contracts, including employment contracts, non-compete agreements, and confidentiality agreements. There has always been some measure of confusion in the general public about agreements such as these, but confidentiality agreements can be especially complicated. A confidentiality agreement may also be called a non-disclosure agreement, NDA, confidential disclosure agreement, proprietary information agreement, or a secrecy agreement. When used properly, an NDA can be a valuable tool for business owners. An Unfair Reputation for a […]

It was not all that long ago that when you would visit a restaurant, your server would hand you a customer satisfaction survey card and ask you to complete it. At the time, such cards were about the only way for the restaurant—or any other small business—to gauge how well the business was serving its customers. If you own a business today, you know all too well that the internet has completely replaced paper customer surveys. In fact, we have reached the point that a person can offer his or […]

There is absolutely no question that owning and running your own business takes a great deal of hard work and focused dedication. In addition, owners of small and medium-sized businesses must also be constantly trying to think of new ways to ensure that their companies enjoy continued success. If you own a small business, you should always be trying to come up with ideas that will help your business grow. This means you need to consider how you will expand your customer base and increase your revenues. As a business […]

As anyone who owns a car, truck, boat, camper, or any other type of vehicle will tell you, regular maintenance is crucial in keeping the vehicle running properly. You need to change the oil, inspect the brakes, replace fuel filters, and complete a variety of other checks every so often. This idea is so well known that even those who do not get maintenance work done understand that there are risks involved with skipping maintenance for too long. In many ways, the same is true for your business. Regular reviews […]

For many business owners, there is nothing they dread more than firing an employee. Although television and movies would lead many to believe that employers and bosses, in general, are callous and power-hungry, the vast majority of business owners truly want their employees to be happy and successful. However, when an employee cannot fulfill his or her work duties adequately, violates company policy, or is untrustworthy, an employer may have no other choice than to fire the employee. It is essential that employers take steps to make sure the termination […]

As the old saying goes, “nothing is constant except change.” There are more than 250 Illinois law changes and new laws that will take effect on January 1, 2020. Several of these changes will directly affect business owners and employers so it is important to make sure you are up to speed and ready to implement any changes necessary to avoid violating these laws. As a business law attorney, I am prepared to help you learn about the legislative changes taking effect in Illinois and how you can stay compliant […]

For small business owners, making intelligent financial decisions is essential for success. Studies show that an astounding eight out of ten new small business owners fail within the first year and a half of starting their business. Many of these businesses go bankrupt because the owner made major mistakes with how he or she managed finances. Whether it is overestimating future profits, underestimating expenses, or not accounting for taxes, money mistakes can cost a business owner his or her livelihood. In my practice as a business law attorney, I help […]