Many businesses resolve their disputes before they reach litigation. But occasionally, a business cannot resolve its dispute with a vendor, customer, employee, or shareholder without the assistance of the courts. Business owners will usually turn to litigation when there is an irreconcilable disagreement over the facts of the case or the law that applies to…

Most people will never hire a lawyer, file a lawsuit, or testify in court. But business owners are much more likely to become involved in a lawsuit. In your capacity as the owner of a business, you may have to answer to your investors, lenders, customers, suppliers, and employees. You may be governed by a…

Florida courts routinely enforce non-compete clauses in contracts with employees, contractors, and consultants.  But the non-compete clause must meet certain standards of reasonableness before it can be enforced. It must also support a legitimate business interest since an injunction against the employee essentially robs that employee of the freedom to choose where to work. Here…

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal for large and small businesses alike. Mask mandates are in place in most states and social distancing is still necessary. In some states, business owners are collecting customer information for contact tracing. Since the pandemic has hit businesses hard, some companies have considered the possibility of using…

In the past few months, many state governments have discontinued their mask mandates. In some instances, lifting mask mandates has emboldened many people who are resistant to wearing face coverings to stop the spread of COVID-19. While coronavirus vaccines are becoming more widely available, masks are still being recommended for public safety. Business owners desiring…

Business-related disputes can arise for a wide variety of reasons. Disagreements can involve customers, employees, vendors, or business partners. Some disputes cannot be resolved internally. When this happens, owners should prepare for the possibility of litigation. Disagreements that require legal intervention can include the following: Breaches of contract Shareholder disputes and deadlocks Difficulties from restructuring…

In early April 2021, the Small Business Association implemented changes to their Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). With these improvements to the program in place, qualified companies can borrow more capital than before. Beyond higher loan limits, the SBA has taken several steps to make EIDL loans easier to obtain. Today, we will explore…

At the planning and inception stage, it is common for two business partners to split everything “50/50.”  It seems at first glance to be fair and equitable to split the profits, losses, and managerial decisions equally between the owners.  But what happens when disagreements in running the business arise?   Companies with two partners, or…

Litigation is one of the most costly, time-consuming, and challenging obstacles a company will face. However, there are many proactive steps you can take now to avoid the risk of being sued (or having to sue) later. Implementing some of these strategies with a growth mindset can help lessen your risk of future litigation or…