Business Law

Without question, the Super Bowl halftime performance by pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Shakira caught the attention of virtually the entire nation. As was to be expected, many people were quick to weigh in social media with their thoughts. Some found the show to be empowering for women from all walks of life, while others were upset by themes and costumes that they felt were inappropriate for a family-oriented setting like the Super Bowl. Regardless of what you thought of the creative elements of the performance, there are some other […]

You may already know the sobering statistics about the number of new businesses that fail. Studies show that within ten years of their inception, a shocking 96 percent of businesses have closed their doors. There are a great number of business owners and entrepreneurs who have brilliant ideas for products and services, but simply cannot make their business profitable in the long term. There are countless reasons that businesses fail, but one issue that is the downfall of many businesses is a poorly constructed business plan. If your business plan […]

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 […]