Guides & Articles on Legal
Labor Law Posters
How to find the posters you need to satisfy the law
By Ned Averill-Snell
Every American business with three or more employees must display employee information posters required by federal and state law. Exactly which posters your business must display, and precisely where and how they must be posted, varies by industry, the number of employees, your state and other factors. Three things you need to know: Compliance matters. There are hefty fines and...
Copyrights
Protect your work by registering; protect your use by asking permission
By Holly Ocasio Rizzo
Copyright is legal protection against copying or commercially exploiting intellectual property without the creator or the copyright holder's permission. It isn't only for literature and works of art — software, photography, music, video, film and architectural drawings can also be copyrighted. To protect yourself — whether you're the creator or user — ...
Government Contracting
Strategies for finding and landing government contracts
By Constance Gustke
The world's largest business is actually the U.S. government. It buys about $240 billion in goods and services every year, such as all-purpose supplies, building construction, information technology and office space. And by law, a portion of those goods and services must be bought from qualified small business. That translates into a lucrative sales venue for both big and small...
Nevada State Small Business Services and Resources
How to tap a wealth of helpful state and regional-level solutions
By Daniel Kehrer
If you are looking to start or expand a business in Nevada or just need help solving a problem specific to this state or region, there's a wide range of resources — both government and private — available to help. While many nationally focused resources offer helpful solutions, some issues are better addressed at the state or local level. Answers to licensing, zon...
New Jersey State Small Business Services and Resources
How to tap a wealth of helpful state and regional-level solutions
By Daniel Kehrer
If you are looking to start or expand a business in New Jersey or just need help solving a problem specific to this state or region, there's a wide range of resources — both government and private — available to help. While many nationally focused resources offer helpful solutions, some issues are better addressed at the state or local level. Answers to licensing,...
Preventing Employee Discrimination Claims
By taking the right steps, you can avoid costly lawsuits
By Sheryl Nance-Nash
Unless you have a very small business of three employees or less, the vast majority of anti-discrimination laws apply to you. Federal and state laws define discrimination as treatment of one employee differently from another on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or other personal characteristics. A discriminatio...
Properly Hiring Foreign Labor
Immigration laws are tough but open for businesses with special needs
By Charles Dervarics
It's a fact: Despite the national debate over immigration, your business can properly hire foreign labor under certain criteria. Foreigners with special skills have the best chance to get hired, but the door also is open to others as well. You'll need government certification to get a visa for a foreign worker, and your first task is to master the various visa categories th...
Legal Answers on E-Commerce
Navigating the maze of online business legal issues
By Toni Klym McLellan
The reach of the Internet lets companies shrink the distance between customers and products or services. New technology brings novel legal issues related to e-commerce, including the need for global legal protections for businesses. If you conduct business electronically, understanding common legal issues makes smart business sense. Some aspects of e-commerce include: Privacy and...
Filing for Business Bankruptcy
In business, desperate times call for desperate measures
By Matt Alderton
All business owners set out to succeed. The reality is, however, that some fail. If you're one of them, it helps to know your options, perhaps the most drastic of which — and potentially the most helpful, too — is bankruptcy. It's a worst-case scenario, sure, but as the old adage goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. Knowing how bankruptcy can help in tim...
State Law for Business
State-by-State Contacts, Connections and Key Business Resources
By Daniel Kehrer
Businesses of all sizes are governed by a multitude of rules, regulations and laws. Some are dictated by the federal government, some by state authorities -- and some by both. For startup, compliance or other information, it is often best to start with state agencies, since they can sometimes answer your questions on compliance with federal standards as well. Whether you need infor...
California Public Records
Ride the internet to surf for California public records
By Donna Gisolo Christenberry
Finding that new employee is more important these days than just finding someone to fill the position or finding a person with the correct qualifications for the job. California companies may need to do a background check on potential employees through the state of California public records because of the nature of the employees' interaction with others. People who work w...
Law Firm Marketing
Here's the brief on how to market a law firm and make your case
By KB Gibson
The idea of lawyers marketing makes many law professionals uneasy. It’s not really marketing that they shy away from, but the in-your-face advertising similar to what car dealers do. Nevertheless, a law firm can market itself in a dignified manner to produce growth. The name of the game is competition. Every time someone looks for a lawyer, you compete against other lawyers w...
Indiana Tax Law
Know the nuances of Indiana tax law to keep your business in tip-top shape
By Kelly J. Balok
As a small business owner, you probably think about the IRS and its many regulations all too often. But it is important to keep Indiana tax law in mind as well. Like Federal tax laws, Indiana tax laws for small business change almost every year and can be difficult to digest.But the good news is that Indiana tax lawyers monitor tax law changes as they come down through the State le...
Massachusetts Labor and Employment Law
Massachusetts employee laws protect employees and business owners
By Patti Richards
Massachusetts employment laws help employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Labor law helps both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.Massachusetts employee laws make working better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve wor...
Alabama Corporation and Partnership Law
Getting the most for your business by forming an LLC in Alabama
By Patti Richards
Alabama corporation and partnership law provides the necessary steps to take your business to the next level. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a business with fewer than 10 employees, Alabama laws on incorporation are there to protect your rights as a business owner.Alabama corporation and partnership law serves business owners by providing tax incentives and tax rebates...
Tennessee Corporation and Partnership Law
Getting the most for your business by incorporating in Tennessee
By Patti Richards
Incorporating in Tennessee is a necessary step to take your business to the next level. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a business with less than 10 employees, Tennessee corporate law is there to protect your rights as a business owner. Tennessee corporation and partnership law serves business owners by providing tax incentives and tax rebates for business expenditures ...
Maryland Corporation and Partnership Law
Choose wisely when considering Maryland incorporation
By V.V. Beardsley
If you'd like to start a business in Maryland, you must understand the basics of Maryland corporation law. The structure of your Maryland corporation will be instrumental in the success of your business; it will affect your tax treatment, filing requirements, funding potential, and liability obligations.The ownership plans for your business entity will help determine how to inc...
Child Labor Law
Find out how state and federal child labor laws apply to your business
By Tai G.
Child labor laws exist to protect children from exploitation. If an employer follows certain guidelines, a child under the age of 18 may work. There are both federal and state child labor laws that govern child labor, so an employer must abide by both requirements if he considers hiring an underage person.State laws regarding child labor vary from state to state, and they may or ma...
Michigan Labor and Employment Law
Michigan employment law protects employees and business owners
By Patti Richards
Michigan employment law helps employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Michigan labor laws help both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment. Michigan labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Michigan labor laws, although originally i...
Virginia Labor and Employment Law
Virginia employment law protects employees and business owners
By Patti Richards
Virginia employment law helps employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Labor law helps both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.Virginia employment laws make working better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve working con...
Michigan Corporation and Partnership Law
Choose wisely when incorporating under MI corporation law
By V.V. Beardsley
If you'd like to start a business in Michigan, you must understand the basics of Michigan corporation law. The structure of your Michigan corporation will be instrumental in the success of your business. It will affect your tax treatment, filing requirements, funding potential and liability obligations.The ownership plans for your business entity determine how to incorporate in...
Oklahoma Labor and Employment Law
Stay informed on Oklahoma employment laws and avoid costly lawsuits or state penalties
By Amy Jo Garner
Labor laws in Oklahoma may seem complex, but observing them can actually be quite simple. Oklahoma requires every employer to post current employment and wage laws in a conspicuous place that employees have access to. In addition, you should make sure you have employment policies in place that prevent you or any of your managers from violating the laws.You can take a few simple ste...
Family Law
Find family law services that accommodate the needs of you and your family
By Tai G.
Family law is the branch of civil law dealing with all areas of domestic law. Cases predominantly involve family-related issues that arise during marriage and divorce, including child custody, father’s rights, spousal abuse, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse and paternity. In the case of divorce, a couple may choose to use one lawyer to save costs, but it’s imperative th...
Bankruptcy Law
Know your rights regarding bankruptcy law and choose if it's right for you
By Tai G.
Bankruptcy laws vary depending on which process you wish to file. Filing for bankruptcy is a federal process intended to assist consumers and businesses that are in debt. Filing for bankruptcy helps eliminate debt, or repay it. A few versions of bankruptcy exist to accommodate different situations. Bankruptcies can generally be described as "liquidations" or "reorgan...
Pennsylvania Labor and Employment Law
Pennsylvania employment laws protect employees and business owners
By Patti Richards
Pennsylvania labor and employment law helps employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment regulations. It also helps employers and employees maintain good relationships in a safe and productive work environment. Pennsylvania labor and employment law makes the workplace better for everyone. Labor law, alt...
