Category: Business Law
BGS Attorney Scott Lepak to Present on Labor Relations from a Pandemic Perspective on November 10
November 5, 2020 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
COVID-19 has raised new questions and concerns for employers everywhere. To help owners understand and address these unprecedented circumstances, BGS Attorney Scott Lepak will be co-presenting a free, one-hour webinar on labor relations from a pandemic perspective at 11 a.m. on Tuesday November 10, 2020. Sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, this webinar will explore how to avoid common pitfalls while successfully leading and managing employees during a pandemic. The free, hour-long session will address best practices in the following areas: Understanding how to establish and maintain management rights Exploring common mistakes when responding to grievances and ways to avoid them Reviewing ways to respond to unfair labor practice claims Learning negotiation skills and how to manage critical workers during a pandemic To register for the webinar, go to: https://www.lmc.org/learning-events/events/league-events/free-webinar-labor-relations-practices-from-a-pandemic-perspective/. Scott Lepak authored a treatise of the Minnesota Public Sector Labor Law and is one of Barna, Guzy & Steffen’s highly knowledgeable and experienced labor law attorneys. Our talented team of business law professionals is here to discuss your specific needs and provide innovative legal solutions. Contact us today to learn more.
Read MoreInfringement: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business
October 21, 2020 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
At some point, many business owners face the threat of infringement and are challenged on their use of a business or product name. For some it is simply an accident, and the “fix” may be as easy as changing a name. But what should you do when confronted with a cease-and-desist letter or lawsuit? Read our blog as we discuss infringement and how to protect yourself and your business. Types of infringement The Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School defines infringement as “a violation, a breach, or an unauthorized act.” There are different types of infringement depending on the situation. In a commercial contract, an infringement occurs when one of the contracting parties breaches the contract terms. In intellectual property, an infringement relates to an unauthorized use of any copyrighted material or patented invention. This can be trademark, patent, or copyright infringement. How to protect yourself and your business In many cases, infringement on another is done unwittingly. However, regardless if the infringement is an accident, the law is very clear. Your first course of action should be to contact a knowledgeable attorney who can help you understand the law and your rights. Your attorney will be able to advise you on whether a response is required. Because the use of someone else’s intellectual property (like…
Read MoreThe Corporate Veil: What is It and Why You Should Care?
October 12, 2020 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
You may have heard mention of the corporate veil – the common term for the liability protections afforded to an individual (or entity) who creates a separate company to do business. However, this protection is not ironclad. Read our blog as we discuss the corporate veil, what it is, and why you should care. The benefits of setting up a corporation or L.L.C. For purposes of our discussion, let’s assume Ellen runs a canoe making business out of her garage called Handcrafted Canoes. If she doesn’t create a corporation or limited liability company (or other liability limiting entity), she is personally liable for all of the debts of the business. In other words – her personal assets are subject to claims relating to the business. Ellen’s smart attorney advises her to set up a corporation, and Ellen takes the advice. Handcrafted Canoes, Inc. (HCI) is formed as a Minnesota corporation. But is that the end of the story? If Ellen’s only act is to set up the corporation, and she doesn’t actually operate her business as a separate entity, creditors of her business may be able to get past that corporate “veil” and proceed against her personal assets. Piercing the corporate veil Parties that do business together have a reasonable expectation that if something goes wrong,…
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