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 …
Ponzi Scheme vs. Pyramid Scheme
New Mexico Has Known Its Fair Share of Scams. Back in the early 2000’s there was a buzz among professional women in Albuquerque. I became aware of it when a friend told me she was advancing $5000 from her credit card in order to participate in an investment program that was by invitation only, and open solely to women. She …
Can Businesses Make Exceptions To COVID-19 Face Mask Requirements For Clients?
As businesses slowly reopen from forced closure and the Stay- at- Home requirements are gradually lifted, business owners find themselves trying to navigate the new guidelines of the State, CDC and OSHA while keeping their clients happy. The mandate for the public to wear masks tends to be the current requirement that is causing the most conversation among business owners …
What to Consider When Your Tenant Asks You to Renegotiate a Commercial Lease
Is the Lease About to Expire? The first thing to do is look at your lease and determine when the lease is set to expire. Is your tenant attempting to renegotiate for a future lease agreement, or are they trying to renegotiate the rental rate on their current lease? Most leases will specify that the tenant must notify the landlord …
Team Up For New Mexico Talks Business with Larry Donahue
Larry Donahue, Partner at Business Law Southwest and Law 4 Small Business, discusses the reopening of New Mexico’s Businesses after the COVID-19 shutdown. ESPN Radio http://www.1017theteam.com/ welcomed Larry Donahue back to their show to talk about the re-opening of New Mexico’s small businesses. Topics such as current legal concerns among business owners, tips to open businesses up safely and ways …
Understanding Contracts: Contractor and Subcontractor in a Construction Context
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 …
Employment Contracts: Why They Are Important and How You Can Use Them to Protect Your Business.
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 …
No-Handshake Policy and Other Policies for Businesses to Consider During (and After) Coronavirus
Handshakes, once a key part of professionalism in the workplace and world of networking, may now be a thing of the past due to coronavirus concerns. As more people return to the workplace, business owners are trying to figure out how to best keep their workers and customers safe while still appearing personable and professional. First impressions are especially important …
What is “Ex Parte” Communication?
What does ‘Ex Parte’ Mean and How is it Applied in a Legal Context? Ex parte is one of those annoying Latin phrases lawyers still use, but the common translation is basically ‘one sided’, or ‘for one side’. Ex parte communication is when one party to a case communicates to the court without informing the other party, depriving them of …
Office Space Post COVID-19
Throughout history there have been instances when a singular event changed how we did business..forever. One of my final business courses in college 20+ years ago concluded with my Professor urging us to give careful thought as to what employer we tied ourselves to in the future. “If you work for a company whose way of doing business does not …
