Firstly, it should be understood that a trademark or service mark is a designation of ownership of a “brand,” using a symbol, words, device, or all three. The difference between a trademark and service mark depends on what it is used for – trademarks are for physical goods, and service marks are for services. A…
On August 19th New York opened the re-registration period for the “STAR” property-tax rebate for upstate homeowners, but downstate homeowners will have to wait a few more weeks. The massive process of sending notifications to about 2.6 million homeowners is being carried out in stages. Notices about how to re-register will be sent to residents of Long Island,…
Sometimes it’s easy to know if you need to find an attorney. If you’ve been charged with a crime, been served with a lawsuit, or need a divorce – a lawyer is exactly what you need. Lawyers, however, aren’t just for criminals or those in litigation. Qualified attorneys can also provide advice and knowledge to…
Estate planning seems so simple. It can be deceptive, though. Here are ten mistakes people commonly make that can cause chaos for your family later. These are not in any particular order of importance. Mistake #1: Believing Your Estate Is Too Small. Estate planning does not depend on how much you have. It is about…
Are you a business owner? Do you have employees? Do you have an Employee Handbook? If you answered yes to the first two questions, but don’t have an Employee Handbook you should read my latest blog post on whether your business needs a Handbook. There is no law requiring employers to have an employee handbook,…
1. Not Having Your Handbook Reviewed by a Lawyer You’re smart. You know your business. You may even be a lawyer. But as the saying goes, “A doctor is his own worse patient,” so get objective eyes to take a look at your employee handbook. It is very easy for people to misunderstand or misinterpret…
So, you have decided to start a new business. The following is a general checklist of steps to take to set-up your business. Depending on the particular type of business, additional steps may be required. 1. Prepare a Written Business Plan. Define the type of product and/or service you plan to provide. Set forth the…
” A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” — Sam Goldwyn Often clients tell us that they have reached a deal, shaken hands, and are ready to do business with a business associate. While this may have been acceptable back when our grandfathers were in business, society has grown too large and…
Whether you are a business owner or not, now that the fear of falling over the fiscal cliff has been eliminated, its time to focus on your future. What are the legal issues that you might want to address in 2013? Below is a suggestion of five things to consider looking at this year: 1….
The rules which apply to whether or not you have to pay your employees for whether related absences depends on whether they are considered exempt or non-exempt employees. Most employees are considered non-exempt under the federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and are covered by the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime pay provisions. Non-exempt employees generally…
No business owner enjoys litigation, and for good reason. The high costs of litigation, in terms of money and time, can take quite a toll on the health of a business and its owner. When you own a business, lawsuits are sometimes inevitable. However, there are some preventive measures and techniques that all business owners,…
Are you thinking of selling your business? Beyond determining an acceptable selling price, there are quite a few legal issues that need to be considered. The first issue that you should consider is whether to sell the assets of the business (both tangible and intangible) or the shares of the corporation (if incorporated) that operates…
