View Post

What You Need To Know About Business In 2021

In Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Contracts, COVID-19 by Alicia McConnellLeave a Comment

BLSW’s Senior Litigator shares words of wisdom as we head into the New Year. If 2020 has taught us anything, it sure seems to be that we can never fully know what the future will bring. Now that we have seen and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated fallout that it has brought, we have gained some insight on …

View Post

What To Consider When You Are Given Equity In A Company.

In Contract Disputes, Contracts, Litigation & Lawsuits, Partnerships by Larry DonahueLeave a Comment

Does “free equity” have the potential to be a gift you will regret accepting? Hey, who would not want to be given some equity in a company? Especially if there does not seem to be any strings attached? If the company is successful, you benefit. If it fails, it cost you nothing. So why not accept an equity arrangement? Technically, …

View Post

It’s Yours!….Until We Break Up.

In Break-ups & Partnership Disputes, Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Lawsuits, Partnership Dispute by Alicia McConnellLeave a Comment

Attorney Alicia McConnell sorts the facts from assumption when it comes to business assets and break-ups. Dear Alicia, I started a business five years ago.  It is a courier service.  Two years ago, I needed to expand and hire another driver.  My boyfriend at the time offered to a buy a car for my business to use.   He purchased it, …

View Post

When Your Business Partner Thinks He Is Funny…. But He Is Not.

In Break-ups & Partnership Disputes, Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Contracts, Corporate Formation, Departing Partner, Dispute Resolution, Dissolve a Partnership, Employment Contract, Employment Law, Legal Compliance, Litigation & Lawsuits, LLC Formation, Partnership Dispute, Partnerships by Joseph TurnerLeave a Comment

Attorney Joe Turner weighs in on this complicated but serious issue. Dear Joe, I am in a Partnership with four other Physicians.  One of the Partners fancies himself a comedian.  He likes to send out joke emails to the entire staff and will often add improper comments to serious ones.  The problem, aside from being immature and distracting, is that often …

View Post

Can A Landlord Keep Property Owned by a Tenant If The Tenant Breaks Their Lease?

In Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Lawsuits by Alicia McConnellLeave a Comment

The Landlord’s Lien. Under New Mexico law, a landlord has what is known as a “Landlord’s Lien” on property that is housed within the space that is being rented. This means that a landlord has a lien on the property which remains in the rented location for the rent due under the terms of a lease. If a business has …

View Post

Should My Business Deal With An “Advocate”?

In Business Tips, Contract Disputes, Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Lawsuits by Larry DonahueLeave a Comment

There is a difference between being an “Advocate” and “practicing law”. Good Advocates do not cross the line. Advocates are individuals who work on behalf of another person. People in need of advocates generally are those who would have difficulty trying to maneuver within a complex, structured system. Examples of systems or situations that would require advocacy would be the …

View Post

Understanding Contracts: Contractor and Subcontractor in a Construction Context

In Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Contracts by Larry DonahueLeave a Comment

Contracting and subcontracting can exist in many arenas, but one of the most common is in construction. If you have ever watched a home renovation show or gone through the excitement of having your own home or business renovated, you have probably heard the terms contractor and subcontractor used. The question is, what is the difference and how much do …

View Post

Employment Contracts: Why They Are Important and How You Can Use Them to Protect Your Business.

In Break-ups & Partnership Disputes, Business Tips, Business Transactions, Contract Disputes, Contracts, Dispute Resolution, Employment Contract, Employment Law, Non-Compete Agreements, Non-Disclosure (NDA) & Confidentiality Agreements, Partnerships by Joseph TurnerLeave a Comment

Hiring new employees is a difficult process. You have to be sure they are properly suited for their position and have a personality and temperament which will suit the work environment you have spent time and effort putting together. This coupled with negotiating benefits, salary, and slotting in time for training in an already busy schedule can seem overwhelming and …

View Post

Can My Business Re-Negotiate Its Contracts with Vendors and Our Landlord in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

In Business Tips, Contract Disputes, Contracts by Larry DonahueLeave a Comment

In today’s COVID environment, businesses are being told to close their doors and send employees homes.  As such, many business owners are struggling to earn enough revenue to be able to meet their contractual obligations to their vendors, landlords and banks, let alone make payroll.  With financial disaster looming for so many businesses, do standard contracts, loan documents or leases …

View Post

Are Handshake Deals Enforceable?

In Business Tips, Contract Disputes, Contracts, Dispute Resolution by Don KochersbergerLeave a Comment

There is a common misperception that written contracts are required for any agreement to be enforceable.  While it is almost always preferable to have a written contract, hopefully crafted by an attorney with an understanding of the issues related to the specific type of agreement contemplated, all is not necessarily lost if you do not. There are some types of …