Is Your Company Record Book a Thing of the Past?
April 25, 2022 | Carole Clark Isakson
Business operations are constantly modernizing, and certainly the most substantial changes in the last 50 years center on internet use and electronic data. With advancements in technology, is your company record book a thing of the past? Keep reading to learn more about how and where to retain business data, details, and information. Updating Business Operations Businesses are constantly modernizing, and of course much of that is made possible and based on internet use. Interactions with customers, vendors and other parties are primarily electronic, as the use of actual paper to do business has declined. Even prior to the imposition of COVID measures, companies held board meetings via video conferencing systems, saving significant time and money that would otherwise be spent on airline tickets and additional travel costs. Board materials are now shared via secure data rooms, preserving resources and providing greater protection for sensitive materials. Documents are signed electronically, adding greater efficiency, convenience, and reliability to the process. Which brings me to this: Do you dust off your hardcover company record book – or toss it? Before answering that question, consider why the book exists at all. Documenting the Particulars By law every corporation in Minnesota is required to keep specific records. These are set out in Minnesota Statute Section 302A.461. In…
Read MoreBGS Attorney Carole Clark Isakson Promotes Women in Business
April 18, 2022 | Carole Clark IsaksonOn the evening of March 31 BGS attorney Carole Clark Isakson had the pleasure of presenting a two hour seminar on company formation and other issues to WomenVenture clients. WomenVenture is a Minneapolis based entity that helps women of all ages, cultures, races and income build profitable and sustainable businesses by providing needed education, training, funding and ongoing support. Isakson’s presentation was part of one of the education programs available to attendees; during the session the attendees learned about the most common Minnesota business structures. They learned about C and S corporations, sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Trademarks and other intellectual property rights were discussed, and resulted in a great discussion about tradenames, entity names, trademarks, and where those concepts connect (or don’t connect). Isakson has volunteered her legal expertise to WomenVenture for several years now, working with WomenVenture or directly with the women starting businesses. Since its inception in 1978 WomenVenture has provided more than 104,000 women with the tools and resource to achieve economic success, and Carole is proud to be a small and recent part of that. More on WomenVenture can be found on its website www.womenventure.org
Read MoreBGS Transportation Attorneys Present Seminar
April 6, 2022 | Carole Clark IsaksonOn March 31st, 2022 BGS Attorneys Carole Clark Isakson and Erik Ordahl presented a seminar on driver misclassification to members of the Duluth Superior Transportation Association, on which Carole serves as a board member. Driver classification issues are a critical concern in the trucking industry, and the seminar provided attendees with detailed information on the factors considered by state and federal agencies in determining whether an independent owner-operator should be considered an employee for tax, unemployment, liability, wage and hour and other purposes. Most tests focus on the control and direction an employer exercises over the driver, and also include analysis related to the economic realities of the relationship. While a strong contract hauling or other agreement between the carrier and driver is helpful to proving that the driver is truly independent, it is critical that the parties follow the contract terms. And because the tests used differ depending on the issue before the particular court or agency, the outcome and analysis can differ even when the facts are very similar. This makes navigating the issues a challenge for motor carriers. Special attention was paid to a California law designated as AB-5 which codified an employee leaning test and has resulted in much concern in the industry — issues relating to this law have…
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