Business Law Articles

The Corporate Transparency Act

In an era dominated by global commerce and intricate financial networks, the necessity for corporate transparency has become increasingly apparent. Recognizing this imperative, the United States Congress took a significant step forward by passing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in 2021. This groundbreaking legislation aims to enhance the transparency of beneficial ownership information, fortify national security, and combat financial crimes. The CTA heralds a new era for corporate accountability, addressing the loopholes that have allowed anonymous

What Small Business Owners Need to Know about COVID-19 Relief Bills

Unprecedented Times; Unprecedented Aid Beginning in March 2020, Congress moved swiftly to offer relief from the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. It directed two trillion dollars in funding towards seven key areas: individuals, large corporations, state and local governments, public health, education, federal social safety net programs, and small businesses. Further influxes of

Protecting your home-based business from legal claims

Many more people are creating home-based businesses or adding another gig to their repertoire these days. But many of those entrepreneurs do not realize that the same legal requirements apply to them as to any other business. A business attorney can help you make sure your ducks are in a row. Currently, the SBA has nearly 30 million small businesses on record and, believe it or not, most of them are home-based. That equates to nearly

Small businesses sued over ADA website compliance

Around 60 small businesses in Colorado have been sued by an out-of-state law firm over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The businesses claim that the New Jersey-based law firm is targeting small-to-medium-sized businesses. The lawsuits claim that the businesses have websites that are not compliant with the ADA. Blanchard Family Winery, which has both a brick-and-mortar location and a website, is one of the businesses named. A suit claims that a blind man

Forgiveness application available for smaller PPP loans

A simpler forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less has been issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The prior version of the application had more complex documentation requirements and required several calculations that have now been removed. Instead of the calculations, the new form asks borrowers to confirm that the loan was used for eligible expenses and to provide supporting documentation to prove that these expenses were paid. The borrower must also certify

How does working from home affect homeowners’ insurance?

Businesses across the country have moved many of their professionals into work-from-home arrangements. That has led to some confusion as to who’s liable and whose insurance will pay out in the case of injury or property damage. Generally speaking, if your business has full-time employees who now work from home, your workplace coverage should extend to them at home. Your insurance would also cover any company property they use at home. It should include workers’ compensation

When Does a Text Message Become a Contract?

Group Chats, Emoticons, and Breach of Contract: When Does a Text Message Become a Contract? New Technologies, Established Obligations New media and technology have transformed the way we do business as compared not only to twenty years ago, but even as compared to ten or five years ago. Emails, social media posts, and even text messages were important tools for marketing and negotiating before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the ways in which we conduct business. Now,

Verbal Contracts: Are They Enforceable in Massachusetts?

Is Your Word Your Bond? Our parents taught us to be people of our word—to mean what we say and say what we mean. For most situations in life, it is enough to give your word to enter into an agreement—from who will take out the trash this week to where to meet for dinner. But when it comes to the really important things, verbal agreements pose serious risks for confusion, hurt feelings, and financial loss.

Non-Compete Agreement Enforcement in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know

In many industries, non-compete agreements are a standard part of employee contracts. However, until subject to such an agreement, or until responsible for enforcing it, most people will not give a non-compete clause a second thought. Whether you are seeking to enforce a non-compete agreement against a former employee, or whether you have been subjected to an unfairly onerous non-compete agreement, you need the support of an experienced employment law attorney. What Makes a Non-Compete Agreement

States enact COVID-19 liability protections for businesses

States have started to pass laws to give businesses and health care providers protection against COVID-19-related lawsuits. The goal of these laws is to block businesses from being sued by people who contract the coronavirus under certain circumstances and want to claim that a particular business is at fault. Business have been concerned about COVID-19 lawsuits and have been waiting for federal legislation to make them immune from suits brought by sick workers and customers. As

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