How a Special Litigation Committee Protects Minnesota Companies
Setting up a Special Litigation Committee (“SLC”) is a great way to deal with a conflict of interest in a company. A Special Litigation Committee allows the company to keep control of legal claims and address issues in a way that puts the best interests of the company first. The main idea behind a […]
Continue readingSales Rep Commissions: Employee Legal Rights to Wages in Minnesota
Sale representatives paid on commissions have significant legal rights in Minnesota. This article explains the legal protections available to sales representatives who are employees in Minnesota. To determine your rights, you first need to determine whether you are an independent contractor or employee. If you are an independent contractor (not employee), you may have protections […]
Continue readingAccidental Partnership: Are You in a De Facto Business Partnership?
Table of Contents OverviewStoryLegal AnalysisAdditional Resources Overview This story illustrates how two entrepreneurs can accidently find themselves in a partnership. A partnership doesn’t need to be registered with the state. A partnership can begin whenever two or more people carry on as co-owners a business for profit. Story Amber and Jen discussed opening a business […]
Continue readingThe Contingency Fee Agreement is Relevant When an Attorney is Fired
The Minnesota Supreme Court established an eight-factor test to determine a lawyer’s contingency fee after a client fired the lawyer shortly before settling case. The Court held that, under quantum meruit, the “fee arrangement existing between counsel and the client” is one of the factors. Minnesota’s Contingency Fee Factors for Attorneys The eight factors are time […]
Continue readingCan Minnesota Lawyers Share Legal Fees? Yes.
Yes. Rule 1.5(e) of the Rules of Professional Conduct provides as follows: A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if (1) the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation; (2) the client […]
Continue readingSucceeding on Purpose: a Workshop
by Latitude Often CEOs and other leaders want to lead with a purpose greater than profit, but the majority struggle to integrate purpose into their everyday operations. In this workshop, Glenn Deering—Exec. Director of Strategy and Purpose Innovation at Latitude—will lead attendees through interactive exercises that introduce proven ideas and methods for operationalizing a purpose […]
Continue readingFree Renter Legal Help: Lawyers Defend Minnesota Tenant Rights
Here are some outstanding resources for renters (informally referred to as “renters”) and attorneys representing tenants against landlords in Minnesota. Let’s face it, landlords often have the advantage because they select the lease they require of tenants. For example, I regularly represent landlords. However, tenants have some strong law on their side. These resources are […]
Continue readingHow the ‘Business Judgment Rule’ Protects Directors and Officers
If you are an officer or director accused of making a bad decision, the “business judgment rule” is an important defense to understand. Table of Contents Directors and Officers Owe a Duty of CareThe Business Judgment Rule Protects Directors and OfficersThe Disney ExamplePractical Tip for Directors and OfficersDisinterestedInformedBest Interests of the Corporation Directors and Officers […]
Continue readingRegistered Agent: A Physical Office for Your Business
Every Minnesota business needs to have an address on record with the Secretary of State. This is called the registered office. Instead of providing a physical address, you can use a registered agent service. This article explains the details. Table of Contents What a registered office?What is a registered agent Service?What are some options for registered […]
Continue readingThe Torrens Title System Minnesota: The Short Course for Surveyors
August 2009 A surveyor colleague of mine came back from a continuing education class a while ago and said that the lawyer instructor wished out loud that the Torrens system would go away. The lawyer, like some surveyors, did not like dealing with the Torrens system. For many surveyors and lawyers, the Torrens registration system […]
Continue reading