When Is The Right Time To Start A Business?

Starting a new business is always a thrilling endeavor filled with excitement, enthusiasm and fear. When to start the new business is always a question business owners often contemplate. When should the owner incorporate the business, what is the economy doing, when is the greatest need for the business, is one time better than another are all questions that business owners ponder.

Protected Settlement Discussions in North Carolina

Often I get phone calls where a potential clients wants to share with me a conversation that they had with a party they are involved in a dispute with. Sometimes, the conversation which is being recounted to me sounds as though it was in the context of settlement. An analysis must then to be done as to what extent, if at all, the conversation might be admissible in a courtroom one day.

Should I File a Lawsuit?

This is a very common question from clients and potential clients. As you may expect, the answer is: it depends. There are many factors to be considered when contemplating litigation. These factors include…

Business Defamation Claims in the Online Era

I frequently receive phone calls from upset business owners who are dealing with either disgruntled employees or customers. In the age of the internet and social media, more often than not, the employee or customer has posted something negative online. Usually the business owner will approach me with some type of working knowledge of North Carolina defamation laws, as their first step after reading the review tends to be performing a Google search on what their legal rights might be. With these types of claims it is important to have a lawyer who views themselves not only as an advocate but also as a counselor and advisor.

Good Advice in Tough Times

I have a friend who is a lawyer in another state. He and I were talking one day and I asked him, “If you were to give any advice to a lawyer representing a client in an active court case, what advice would you give him or her?” He chuckled, thought for a moment, and then gave me some good advice.

The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Your Civil Matter

As you know, for the past several weeks, courthouses and judicial employees across the State have been operating in a limited capacity with regard to court hearings and other judicial proceedings. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued orders postponing certain court hearings and limiting courthouse activity. Justice Beasley also extended filing and other court-related deadlines to June 1, 2020.

Filing Annual Reports with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office: No Extension Due to Covid-19

Each business incorporated with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office is required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s office each year. The type of business entity will likely determine when the report is actually due to the Secretary of State. If you as a business owner have several incorporated businesses which differ in the type of entity (a corporation, an s-corporation, limited liability company, etc.), your annual reports could be due at different times.

A Written Contract is Always a Good Idea

Given the current state of things, it can be very tempting for individuals and small businesses to want to take on new business ventures or enter into new business deals right now. When entering into any business agreement with any person or entity, new or familiar, we urge you to have a written contract detailing the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Does Antitrust Apply to You and Your Business?

I recently had the privilege of speaking to a business trade association on the topic of antitrust. This topic and discussion reminded me of the importance of how business need to comply with the federal and state laws on antitrust. The antitrust law, federal and state, are designed to protect the public.

Attorney’s Fees in Lien Enforcement Actions

“Can I recover my attorney’s fees?” is a question we often receive at the outset of litigation. The general rule in North Carolina is that each party is responsible for its own attorney’s fees, unless the contract or a statute provides otherwise.

We Demanded Payment, Now What?

Clients often come to us for help recovering money owed on various contracts, agreements, payments, services and products. Depending on the circumstances, we may recommend sending a letter to the debtor to demand payment of the total balance owed. Sometimes, debtors (or their attorneys) respond to the demand letter, the line of communication continues, and we can work toward a resolution of the matter.

What Are the Legal Implications of Emojis?

Many presume that the use of emojis are frivolous and more fun than serious. However, the use of emojis can raise complicated and complex legal questions and issues.

Webinar: Contract Law – Which Terms Really Apply?

When your business exchanges quote requests, quotes, purchase orders, and contracts with customers or clients, which document’s “terms & conditions” apply? Here’s a scenario we often see in business law: Your business works to establish a contract with a client or customer. Your customer sends in a request for a quote – that request includes terms & conditions. Your company then sends the customer a quote with terms & conditions. Your customer then sends in a purchase order with its own terms & conditions. Your company finally delivers a confirmation which includes its own terms & conditions. So which terms and conditions apply?! Join James Vann during this fast-paced webinar reviewing Terms and Conditions in business contracts. Join James Vann during this fast-paced webinar reviewing Terms and Conditions in business contracts.

Webinar: Accepting Checks & Other Forms of Payment From Your Customers

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR FOR OUR CLIENTS & GUESTSThursday, July 25, 20193:00 – 3:45 PM ESTAccepting Checks & Other Forms of Payment From Your CustomersPresented by James VannWhen a customer writes in the memo field, does that impact collection? What happens when a customer remits payment to another branch? Do you know what to do when a customer makes a payment for …

Duty to Preserve and the Preservation Order

If you have been involved in a lawsuit before, you may remember seeing or receiving what is typically called a “preservation letter”. What is this preservation letter and what does it do?  A preservation letter may also be called a preservation order, a litigation hold, or a hold order. This is a letter instructing the recipient not to destroy, alter, or …