Can I Open a Similar Business After Liquidating My Former Business in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

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You may open a similar business after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Generally, someone cannot keep someone from operating a business and otherwise making a living. However, if you operate out of the same address at the same phone number, you may run the risk of creditors seeking further legal action against you. In addition, the …Read more

Changing the Legal Structure of Your Family Business to Ensure Your Professional and Personal Priorities Align as the Business Grows

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The legal structure of your family business need not be permanent.  You can change the structure to meet the needs of your evolving family business.  Your business’ legal structure plays a role in determining your tax rates, governance and filing requirements, liability protections, transitions to the next generation, and more.  As your family business grows, …Read more

Recognizing and Protecting Your Family Business’ Most Basic Intellectual Property Rights

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Just about every business, including your family business, likely owns some form of intellectual property (“IP”).  IP can include trademarks, patents, copyrights or trade secrets.  IP rights allow your business to protect economically valuable intangible assets.  Once secured, IP rights allow your company to develop powerful competitive advantages in the marketplace where your goods and …Read more

Defining the Founders’ Roles and Responsibilities in Your Technology Startup

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You’ve decided to start a new technology company with several colleagues from your past and present employers, and a college friend with a background in finance.  Everyone is excited about the new venture.  That excitement, however, sometime clouds what would otherwise be the group’s methodical planning process and thoughtful execution of the business plan to …Read more

Secure and Protect Brand Names, Logos, and Domain Names Before Creating Value in Them

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Once you have formed and organized your new technology company, one of your first tasks should be to secure your commercial rights to the company’s business and essential brand names, logos and domain names while the business is still in the conceptual stage.  When your company is new, and yet to demonstrate it has any …Read more

Productive Uses of ADR to Resolve Disputes in Family Business

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Family businesses enjoy dynamics that don’t exist in other businesses. While there are numerous benefits to a family business, close familial ties can sometimes mean disagreements feel more personal. Familial issues may also arise outside the business that can lead to internal disagreements within the business that can adversely affect the company. Think Yoko Ono. …Read more

Technology Startups:  Picking the Right Business Entity

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Many technology startups fail, often for commercial or business reasons.  Some startups, however, fail because their founders don’t properly address certain important legal issues that confront their company from the outset.  If you err when confronting legal issues that are critical to your company’s success, it will likely haunt you and your co-founders for the …Read more