Last week I discussed common law trademark rights, and the rights and limitations which accompany them. I submitted for your consideration my fictional company, Awesome Blades Corporation (ABC), which manufactures and sells lightsabers. If you haven’t read that post, you may want to click here and read it before proceeding. Go ahead, I’ll wait. . […]
Read moreLatest News
No Comments
Talking Trademarks — Part II
No Comments
Talking Trademarks — Part I
The other day I was meeting with a business owner who was interested in selling his business. During the meeting, he mentioned that he had trademarked the name of his business. That’s good news; trademarks are considered “intellectual property,” and any intellectual property owned by a business increases the value of the business. Then the […]
Read more
No Comments
Self-Defense Liability
It is often said that “there is a lawyer [or attorney, or lawsuit] attached to every bullet.” In today’s litigious society, that is probably pretty accurate. Although I am primarily a business attorney, I spend a fair amount of time as a firearms instructor for a civilian training company and at a local law enforcement […]
Read more
No Comments
Concierge Legal Services
You are obviously successful — an expert in your field. As you grow your business, how are you managing your legal issues? Are you ignoring them? Trying to “make do” with online legal forms cobbled together from whatever you can find on the internet? Or are you using an attorney who is billing you for […]
Read more
No Comments
Jonathan Granberry
Jonathan Granberry was a graphic artist (he would say graphic communicator) extraordinaire. In marked contrast to the plethora of amateur individuals and businesses which purport to design logos and marketing materials, John knew that an effective logo had to communicate the core values and expertise of the business it represents. He took the time to […]
Read more
No Comments
The Law of the Gun
Because of my extensive work with law enforcement officers (eventually culminating in my becoming one) and my training and experience as an FBI-certified firearms instructor, I am frequently asked for advice regarding the various (Alabama) state and federal gun laws. These questions run the gamut or issues, from acquisition and ownership, to concealed carry considerations, […]
Read more
No Comments
Justice Antonin Scalia: Rest in Peace
I was first exposed to Justice Scalia’s writings in, naturally, law school, but I will confess I have little recollection of those encounters because I had little framework within which to appreciate them. As I began actually practicing law, and coincidentally delving deeply into politics, I began to take a much greater interest in U.S. […]
Read more
No Comments
Reducing Liability, Increasing Profitability
Now that we have all slept off the tryptophan from our Thanksgiving turkey, it is time to give a little thought to how your business will end 2015 and start 2016. Here is the first thing I want you to think about: is your business organized as a separate legal entity? I wrote here that […]
Read more
No Comments
Non-Competes Are Unenforceable? Really?
I hear it all the time from clients, and even other lawyers: “Non-competes are not enforceable in Alabama. They’re worthless.” Not so! It is true that by statute and public policy non-competes (non-competition agreements) are disfavored. This policy hearkens back to English common law, which declared these kinds of agreements void as a restraint on […]
Read more
No Comments
Please, Don’t Give Me Nightmares.
Probably the most common conversation I have with a new client goes something like this: Client: “I need create an LLC.” Me: “How do you know?” Client: “Know what?” Me: “That you need to create an LLC.” Client: “Because I’m starting a business, and I need an LLC.” Me: “I understand that you are starting […]
Read more
Recent Comments