Business journals and publications are replete with stories about businesses that collect, use, store or sell private information of employees, customers, consumers or third parties, and their paying substantial and possibly business threatening damages as a result....
With the increased number of workplace harassment suits and administrative proceedings, as well as fines, penalties and verdicts, all employers need to be proactive to avoid, identify and minimize workplace harassment and avoid claims or suits being filed. Some steps...
As many of your business’ records and accounts are stored or accessed electronically, it is increasingly important to not only inventory, secure and protect these assets, but to enable your business or its successor to access them. Some steps to take include:...
Language in the recent U.S Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson decision regarding abortion raised concerns that the legal rights of unmarried couples of either sex and married couples of the same sex may be facing issues in the future, particularly in states that do not...
As any business can be a cyberattack target, business owners should: Foster a culture of security awareness in their organization by clear and consistent messaging, policies, and procedures. Have clear written security policies and incident response plans that provide...
A trademark is a legally protected, non-generic, unique and distinctive name, symbol, letter, word, mark, slogan, phrase, smell, color, sound or hologram that can be owned to identify your business, products or services. It identifies and distinguishes your business...
Almost all employers in Illinois are subject to the Illinois Equal Pay Act, and any employers subject to the U.S. Minimum Wage Act are also subject to the Federal Pay Act, that ensure women are paid equal to men for the same job, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act,...
Asset protection planning is taking proactive steps to protect your personal or business assets and income before there is a legitimate threat or claim against you or your business. This is not giving away or transferring your assets to other parties, that carries its...
Manufacturing delays, transportation shortages and overall supply chain issues caused problems for many businesses from manufacturing to retail. These situations outside of your control can also result in further problems for your business if you fail to supply,...
The law legalizing marijuana also provided that those arrested, convicted or who plead guilty to minor marijuana possession offenses could have their criminal records expunged. Minor violations were to be expunged automatically by the state’s attorneys of each county,...
Probably due to the pandemic, the Illinois Legislature passed few laws important to business in Illinois and effective January 1, 2022. They include: Increasing the minimum wage to $12.00 per hour; Making non-compete agreements generally not enforceable against...
The media’s focus on spending in the proposed Build Back Better and related bills pending before Congress overlooks many of the revenue aspects that could affect the estate plans of the wealthy and the tax strategies of business owners and the highest income earners....