Category: Uncategorized
BGS Attorney Receives Minnesota State Bar Association Distinguished Service Award 2020
December 10, 2020 | Toni PerrierBarna, Guzy and Steffen, Ltd attorney Jeffrey S. Johnson recently received the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the Real Property Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) in honor of his years of dedication and service to the bar and community. Since his admission to the bar in 1979, Jeff has been involved with the MSBA in many ways including serving on the Section Governing Council for 34 years and presenting 25 programs for Minnesota Continuing Legal Education. When Jeff Johnson started his career at what is now Barna, Guzy & Steffen as a clerk in 1977, he could not have known that his career as an attorney would span 40 years with multiple achievements and thousands of satisfied clients along the way. Johnson was President and Chair of the Board at BGS for 24 years before stepping down in 2014 to focus more on his real estate practice in the later years of his career. His service to the MSBA is extensive and impressive. As he grew in his profession he became involved in the MSBA Real Property Section in several additional ways including being a council member of the MSBA, Real Property Section from 1984-2018, and having served as the Chairperson from 1990-91. Additional involvement with the council includes:…
Read MoreScott Lepak to Present on Police Arbitration Reform to Minnesota State Bar
November 12, 2020 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
On Friday, November 20, Barna, Guzy & Steffen attorney, Scott Lepak, will co-present a one-hour program on the practical impacts of the new Minnesota Police Accountability Act in the arbitration process. The program, which is sponsored by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a part of continuing legal education, will be held online beginning at noon. Lepak, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services, will discuss how the legislative changes are impacting the agency, how they select the panel of arbitrators, and the rulemaking needed for the process. Immediately following the main presentation, Scott, along with attorney/labor union arbitration specialist Gregg Corwin, will share strategies for advising clients in this area, as well as examine the questions that are left unanswered in the wake of these changes. Both presenters are experts in legal arbitration and will offer insights on what to expect from this new process. To reserve your spot, visit https://www.mnbar.org/members/cle-events/event?EventID=4256 The deadline to register is 2pm on Thursday, November 19. Barna, Guzy & Steffen has an outstanding team of labor law professionals available to talk to you about your specific needs. Contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
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…
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