For most Minnesota businesses, the right entity is an LLC with an S-corp tax election. I form LLCs and corporations for businesses across the state, and that combination—LLC flexibility with S-corp tax treatment—is what I recommend to the vast majority of my clients. Let me explain why, and when the exceptions apply. The Short Answer…
I review contracts daily. The terms that actually determine a business owner’s financial exposure are rarely the ones they focus on. Price, scope, timeline—those get attention. The clauses buried in the back half of the agreement, written in dense legal language, are the ones that matter most when something goes wrong. These five clauses appear…
Every Minnesota business with a website has a Terms of Service problem. Either the terms are missing, copied from someone else’s site, or pulled from a free template that doesn’t account for Minnesota law. I see this constantly. A business owner will spend months building a website, then spend ten minutes on the legal terms…
If you co-own a Minnesota business and don’t have a buy-sell agreement, you have a problem you just haven’t felt yet. One partner dies, gets divorced, goes bankrupt, or simply decides to leave—and suddenly you’re negotiating the future of your company under the worst possible conditions, governed by default statutory rules that nobody in the…
Every business owner will face employee departures. Some are smooth. Some turn into lawsuits. The difference almost always comes down to how you handle the last few days. Minnesota imposes specific obligations on employers when an employee leaves, and the penalties for missing them are automatic—not discretionary. This checklist covers what you need to do…
Minnesota’s 2024 DTPA amendment added ‘unfair methods of competition’ as actionable conduct under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Learn what this means for business owners and how to use this new legal tool.
Key February 2026 updates for Minnesota employers: Paid Leave job protections now in effect, record wage claim recoveries, ESST carryover options, and a featured child labor enforcement case.
Minnesota’s Antitrust Act provides mandatory treble damages and attorney fees for businesses harmed by anticompetitive conduct—without the ‘public benefit’ hurdle of the PAG statute. Learn how it works.
Managing Legal and Contract Challenges in International Business As more small businesses expand across borders—whether through manufacturing, hiring, or selling—questions around legal compliance and enforceability become much more complex. The legal environment shifts significantly from one country to another, and what works in one place may not hold up in another. Employment Laws Are…
Protecting Your Business Ideas with NDAs and Patent Timelines When a business or startup comes up with a new, potentially patentable idea, timing and documentation matter. The moment a concept is shared outside your company—beyond employees or others bound by confidentiality—you typically have one year to file a patent application. If you miss that…
When Business and Personal Finances Mix, Courts Can Come After You Starting a corporation or LLC does not automatically protect your personal assets. That protection only works if you treat your business like a separate entity. If you don’t, courts can disregard the company’s legal structure. This is known as “piercing the corporate veil.”…
Planning Ahead for Business Exits Every business owner will eventually exit their company—whether planned or unexpected. What matters most is whether that change leads to stability or leaves behind confusion and disputes. Without preparation, even the strongest businesses can face stress, financial strain, and broken relationships. A buy-sell agreement is one of the most effective…
No-poach agreements between employers are per se antitrust violations in Minnesota. Learn what they are, how they harm your business, and how you can recover treble damages under the Minnesota Antitrust Act.
Harness the power of unanimous consent to streamline decisions without meetings—but do you know the crucial steps to document it properly?
Facing service suspension for missed payments? Discover your rights, notice requirements, and ways to resolve defaults before access is permanently affected.
Balancing buyer and seller interests, escrow funds hide complex tax nuances that many overlook—discover how timing and control impact your taxable income.
Choosing the Right Business Attorney for Your Needs When you’re building or running a business, legal guidance isn’t a one-size-fits-all matter. Business law covers a wide range of issues, and the attorney you hire can make a big difference in both cost and outcome. There are three main types of business attorneys: litigators, transactional…
How One Simple Monthly Habit Can Cut Your Legal Costs by 80% Hiring a full-time attorney isn’t feasible for most small or midsize companies. Yet, legal problems can quickly become expensive if not caught early. Aaron Hall, an attorney working with entrepreneurial businesses, shares a simple routine that can dramatically reduce your legal spending—and…
How Business Owners Can Get More Value from Their Lawyers Many entrepreneurs only reach out to their attorney once a problem has already taken root. But that reactive approach leads to higher legal bills, time lost, and avoidable stress. What if your lawyer could help prevent those issues in the first place? This is…
Navigating the complex fallout of unauthorized stock issuance reveals unexpected legal, financial, and governance risks that could jeopardize your company’s future stability.
Knowing Minnesota law on vacation payouts at termination is crucial; discover how your earned time may be protected and when you must be paid.
Offering crucial guidelines on accuracy, accountability, and confidentiality, meeting minutes standards in governance docs ensure transparent records—but what key clauses must you never miss?
Balancing finality and fairness, waiver of claims in settlement agreements holds legal power—but when does it truly protect or expose you? Discover the nuances.
When indemnity obligations survive termination, understanding their scope and risks becomes crucial—discover why this ongoing liability matters beyond contract end.
Proper signatory authority is crucial for contract validity, but what legal consequences arise when it’s missing? Discover the potential risks and remedies.
Cut Legal Bills by 80% With a 30-Minute Monthly Habit Legal fees are one of the most unpredictable and frustrating expenses for growing businesses. But there’s a simple monthly habit that can help midsize companies slash those costs significantly—sometimes by as much as 80%. Aaron Hall, an attorney who works with businesses that have 10…
In leases, quiet enjoyment clauses protect tenants—but what happens when a landlord breaches these rights and disrupts your peace? Discover your options.
Choosing between a disclaimer and indemnity provision can dramatically affect your contract’s risk—discover when each is crucial for effective liability control.
Facing unpaid accrued vacation disputes? Find out what causes conflicts, how laws vary, and crucial steps to prove your rightful pay.
Discover when contracts signed by unauthorized representatives can still bind principals, and why understanding this distinction is crucial for legal enforceability.