Articles

With the right strategies, Minnesota HOAs can achieve financial transparency, but what are the key steps to overcome existing challenges?

Sharing competitor data is a common business practice, often used to highlight differences between products, counter misleading claims, or position a company more favorably in the market. While making comparisons can be a powerful marketing tool, it must be done within legal and ethical boundaries. Missteps can lead to defamation claims, false advertising disputes, regulatory…

Understanding Key Person Insurance and Buy-Sell Agreements for Small Business Owners Protecting a Business with Life Insurance Many business owners use life insurance as a financial safeguard. Traditionally called Key Man Insurance, it is now referred to as Key Person Insurance. This type of policy helps businesses manage the financial impact of losing a key…

Trademarks serve as brand identifiers that allow businesses to build recognition, trust, and loyalty among consumers. They are essential assets that can increase in value over time as brand reputation grows. Trademark protection can be obtained through common law rights, state registration, or federal registration with the USPTO. Federal registration offers the most comprehensive protection,…

A business name is more than just a label—it represents the identity, reputation, and goodwill of a company. It distinguishes a business from competitors and helps customers recognize and remember its products or services. However, issues arise when two businesses discover they share the same or a similar name, especially if both operate in overlapping…

Running a small business involves juggling numerous responsibilities, from managing daily operations to handling finances and ensuring customer satisfaction. However, one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of running a business is legal protection. Contracts serve as the foundation for business relationships, establishing clear expectations and reducing the risk of disputes. Without properly…

Why Meeting Minutes Matter If you own an LLC or corporation, you should keep meeting minutes—typically at least annually. Attorneys recommend this as part of maintaining “corporate formalities,” which help protect your personal liability shield. Piercing the corporate veil is easier for a creditor to argue when a business owner hasn’t kept separate records, separate…

Understanding Mediation and Arbitration for Resolving Disputes When conflicts arise, business owners often face the decision of how to resolve them outside of traditional court proceedings. Two common methods—mediation and arbitration—offer alternative ways to handle disputes, but they work in very different ways. Here’s an overview of both approaches to help you decide which might…

How Business Owners Can Protect Themselves from Copyright Infringement Risks Copyright infringement is a legal minefield that can catch even the most well-meaning business owners off guard. With the increasing use of software tools to track the unauthorized use of images, videos, and audio online, the risk of copyright disputes has grown. Here’s what every…

November As the holidays approach, many Minnesota workplaces may experience a seasonal increase in activity. Employers are encouraged to review wage and hour laws to ensure compliance during this busy time. Overtime pay requirements Federal law requires overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek and applies to most jobs. Minnesota law requires overtime pay…

Key Person Insurance and Buy-Sell Agreements for Business Owners Life insurance can play a critical role in securing the future of a business, especially when there are multiple owners or a single owner with a family to consider. This article explores the use of Key Person Insurance, buy-sell agreements, and the considerations for both multi-owner…

Trade Secrets Act: Your First Line of Defense Both federal and state trade secrets acts protect businesses that make reasonable efforts to keep information confidential. If an employee downloads your client list the week before leaving and takes it to a competitor, you can sue under the Trade Secrets Act. The key requirement: you must…