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Address Texting-While-Driving Head On

Originally published: 07.01.12 by Mike Coyne

This theory of liability applies when employees are acting within the scope of employment or for the benefit of employer.

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Give Your Section 401(k) Plan a Compliance Check

Originally published: 05.01.12 by Mike Coyne

10 point checklist will tell you if your plan needs an adjustment according to the IRS's latest 401(k) Fix-It Guide

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Immigration-Law Changes Add To Employer Responsibility

Originally published: 04.01.12 by Mike Coyne

Two developments in the immigration law area are causing employers a great deal of concern: the increase in so-called "I-9 Audits” and the Social Security Administration's resumption of the "No-Match" Letter Program.

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IRS Targets Independent Contractors

Originally published: 03.01.12 by Mike Coyne

IRS reclassification of workers as employees can be an expensive proposition, as the employer can be held liable for back payroll taxes, penalties, and interest.

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Partners Should Plan Ahead For Disability

Originally published: 02.01.12 by Mike Coyne

Dealing with a disabled partner is never an easy matter. Human nature is such that many of us would find it difficult to ask a disabled partner to step aside due to his or her disability. Yet, this is often the only solution.

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Medical Marijuana Clouds Employer Drug-Use Policies For Employees

Originally published: 01.01.12 by Mike Coyne

Until recently, it has been fairly well understood that an employer can require pre-employment drug testing and refuse to hire someone who tests positively for illegal drugs. However, changes in the law with respect to the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes have made it difficult for employers to know how far they can go to maintain a drug-free workplace.

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Protecting Against Data-Related Risks

Originally published: 01.01.12 by Matthew Stangle

This exposure is excluded in standard general liability policies, but may be insured separately under a policy that covers “electronic-data incidents” resulting in damage to, loss of, loss of use of, cor- ruption of, inability to access, or inability to properly manipulate, electronic data.

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Why Boilerplate Can Be Your Best Friend

Originally published: 12.01.11 by Mike Coyne

That gobbledygook at the end of contracts matters greatly when disputes arise.

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How To Resolve Disputes In Family-Owned Businesses

Originally published: 10.01.11 by Mike Coyne

Family-owned businesses present unique and difficult problems that are generally not found in other closely-held businesses.

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Changes Coming To Retirement Plans

Originally published: 10.01.11 by Mike Coyne

If you currently have a retirement plan that allows you to make large contributions, you may want to think about maximizing your contributions this year, as the opportunity may not be available in the future. It's also a good time to discuss personal contributions and 401(k) fee-disclosure rules with your plan investment adviser or broker.

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Controversial Labor Reversals Overshadow Idle Congress

Originally published: 10.01.11 by Charlie McCrudden

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Do You Have Too Much Liability Coverage?

Originally published: 09.01.11 by Matthew Stangle

Typically, general liability includes three areas: bodily injury and property damage, personal and advertising injury, and medical expenses. Determine the amount of liability coverage you need by evaluating your potential risk, the state in which you operate (both its legal minimum and its history of awarding high damage amounts), and your personnel quality.

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Does Your Business Need an Outside Board of Directors?

Originally published: 08.01.11 by Mike Coyne

An advisory board might be a better option for business owners.

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Be Weary of Retirement-Plan Checks That Show Up Unexpectedly

Originally published: 07.01.11 by Mike Coyne

If you get a check and do not know why he received it, check with your retirement plan advisers first. Chances are the check belongs to your retirement plan.

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Employee Handbooks Can Provide Important Legal Protection

Originally published: 06.01.11 by Mike Coyne

Regardless of the number of employees you have, you have to inform them of you policies. The best way to communicate these is through an employee manual. It will also provide your business important protection.

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Copyright Vs. Trademark

Originally published: 05.01.11 by Mike Coyne

How to navigate the murky waters of intellectual property rights. In this article, legal expert Mike Coyne differentiates between copyright and trademark and how they apply to your business name, slogan, fleet design and marketing materials.

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Take Advantage of Estate Tax Benefits

Originally published: 02.01.11 by Mike Coyne

Improvements to the estate tax law in 2011 offer business owners and familyowned businesses some interesting planning opportunities during the next two years.

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Social Media Poses Legal Risks for Businesses

Originally published: 12.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Although social media has many benefits, be aware of the employer liability regarding employee’s participation on a social media sites.

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Use Trusts For Continuity Planning and Avoiding Probate

Originally published: 11.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Trusts can provide benefits even for incorporated businesses.

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How to Plan For Your Extended Absence

Originally published: 10.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Find the best way to plan for your business to succeed whether or not you are present for the daily operations.

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Are You Using Contract Labor?

Originally published: 09.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Congress considering changes to address 'worker misclassification' regarding independent contractors.

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Healthcare Reform: Readers’ Questions Answered

Originally published: 08.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Changes coming this fall but recipients won't be taxes on benefits. Readers raise questions about the healthcare reform and we answer.

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How Health Reform Threatens Small Business Health Plans

Originally published: 07.01.10 by Mike Coyne

The problems facing small businesses due to healthcare reform are two-fold.

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Estate-Tax Repeal Leaves Many Unknowns

Originally published: 04.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Business owners should consider pitfalls and special circumstances before reviewing estate plans.

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How to Be a Savvy Negotiator for Commercial Leases

Originally published: 03.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Consider more than just the rental rate when evaluating commercial property and negotiating leases.

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Tactics for Avoiding Lawsuits

Originally published: 02.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Litigation is always the result of a failure of people to deal with each other reasonably.

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Carefully Consider Coverage for Liability

Originally published: 01.01.10 by Mike Coyne

Too often, customers do not appreciate that such demands for protection against damages cannot be accommodated without exceptional costs that translate into significantly higher prices for services.

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Is Identity Theft a Looming Risk For Your Business?

Originally published: 12.01.09 by Mike Coyne

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How to Take Control From Minority Shareholders

Originally published: 11.01.09 by Mike Coyne

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Corporate Control Can Be Complicated

Originally published: 08.02.09 by Mike Coyne

Agreements among shareholders concerning corporate control must be carefully drafted and usually must comply with very specific state laws. This is one time when a competent lawyer's help is absolutely necessary.

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Controlling Healthcare Insurance Costs

Originally published: 08.01.09 by Mike Coyne

Every contractor should be watching what is happening with healthcare costs. If you already provide employee health insurance, you are well aware of how rising insurance premiums affect your business.

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Homeowners Have Limited Liability for Worker Injury

Originally published: 06.01.09 by Mike Coyne

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Protect Your Secrets

Originally published: 05.01.09 by Stephen A. DiTullio

With an understanding of when and how to use confidentiality agreements, you can prevent information on your business operations from landing in the hands of your competitors.

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Laser Printing Primer

Originally published: 04.01.09 by Frank W. Abagnale

Prevent check fraud by understanding how laser checks can be altered and put technology in place to prevent disaster

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Small Business Scams on the Rise

Originally published: 04.01.09 by Mike Coyne

Watch your accounts payable and establish internal controls to protect your business from falling victim.

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Protecting Your Right to Get Paid

Originally published: 01.01.09 by Mike Coyne

Mechanic’s liens can assist you in collecting from a non-paying customer; however, statutes exist in all 50 states, and the rules vary dramatically.

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Addressing Business Disputes

Originally published: 12.01.08 by Mike Coyne

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Shedding Light on Moonlighting Risks

Originally published: 10.01.08 by Mike Coyne

Permitting employees to "borrow" equipment is a bad idea.

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Exercise Caution With Government Contracts

Originally published: 09.01.08 by Mike Coyne

Detailed records are the best defense against potential false-claims allegations.

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Workplace Violence - Are You Liable?

Originally published: 08.01.08 by Mike Coyne

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The Impact of Consumer Protection Laws

Originally published: 06.01.08 by Mike Coyne

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Disability Insurance Basics

Originally published: 05.01.08 by Mike Coyne

Helping companies attract and retain good workers.

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Can Big Brother Watch?

Originally published: 03.01.08 by Mike Coyne

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Growth by Acquisition

Originally published: 02.01.08 by Mike Coyne

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Take Stock In Rewards

Originally published: 01.01.08 by Mike Coyne

There are a myriad smart ways to reward key employees. Issuing company stock isn't one of them.

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Property/Casualty Insurance

Originally published: 12.01.07 by David Myer

Understanding property/casualty insurance coverages can help you stem serious loss potential for your business.

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Independent Contractor or Employee?

Originally published: 11.01.07 by Mike Coyne

The Internal Revenue Service has rules for determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor.

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Pre-Employment Screening Requires Caution

Originally published: 10.01.07 by Mike Coyne

To find the best people, you need to adopt good hiring practices. Pre-employment screening should be one aspect of these hiring practices. However, you need to be aware that there are important limitations on an employer’s right to pre-screen potential employees.

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Protect Your Company with a Corporate Minute Book

Originally published: 09.01.07 by Mike Coyne

Corporate minutes can help ensure that owners shield themselves from being held legally responsible for corporate business failures. In addition, they can help quickly settle inevitable shareholder disputes, smooth business transactions and even help answer questions during an audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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When Soldiers Return From Service

Originally published: 09.01.07 by Mike Coyne

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Why your limited liability company needs an operating agreement.

Originally published: 08.01.07 by Mike Coyne

A good operating agreement can be a useful tool for running your business as an LLC.

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How Effective Are Non-competition Agreements?

Originally published: 07.01.07 by Mike Coyne

If you need a non-competition agreement to protect your business, you will need to get legal help and follow these guidelines.

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Take Sexual-Harassment Claims Seriously

Originally published: 06.01.07 by Mike Coyne

Written policies and clear instructions are two ways to protect your business from costly claims.

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Complying With Immigration Law In Hiring

Originally published: 05.01.07 by Mike Coyne

The safest way to avoid problems under the immigration laws is to understand your responsibilities as an employer.

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Getting Ready To Sell Your Business

Originally published: 04.01.07 by Mike Coyne

A successful sale of any business requires planning, and some of that planning must start well before the business is even offered for sale. Here are some ideas on how to get your business, and yourself, ready for a sale.

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How to Protect Your Business Secrets

Originally published: 01.01.07 by Mike Coyne

Your trade secrets may consist of customer lists, training manuals, financial records, contracts with distributors, and the like, that would be very valuable to your competition. Keep them secret with some of these simple, inexpensive steps.

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Tips For Serving Alcohol Responsibly

Originally published: 12.01.06 by Mike Coyne

If you are planning on serving alcohol at your business or office party, here are some planning ideas that can minimize your liability risk.

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Be Careful with Letters of Intent

Originally published: 07.01.06 by Mike Coyne

Find out why letters of intent may be binding and some practical advice when crafting them.

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Will Your Business Die With You?

Originally published: 06.01.06 by Mike Coyne

Strategies for leaving your company to family members.

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