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Do You Have To Pay Your Employee’s Cell Phone Bill?
I recently opened up a new mobile phone account for my business. The wireless company gave me the ability to buy an insane number of phone lines (like 50) without a deposit, for very little per month. I'm thinking about whether I should provide cell phones to my staff...
Grandfathering Under the ADA Is Not A Thing
For all of you businesses in cool brick lofts, I've got some bad news for you. Grandfathering under the ADA is not a thing. Everyone thinks it is, though. It's a persistent rumor leading to poor decisions. I hear the grandfathering rumor all the time. All. The. Time....
Am I Liable If My Employee Gets Into A Car Accident Driving Home From Work?
I recently had a very annoying experience. I was sued. I own a business, so I might as well have a target on my back that says, "SUE ME." It is seriously ridiculous. The lawyer part of me says, "why does anyone own a business?" The entrepreneur part of me says, "screw...
Can I Use A Public Domain Picture Of A Celebrity On My Website?
A lot of people on the internet are starting to become familiar with copyright laws. They know, for example, that you are not supposed to save and use a picture from someone else's website. Sure, theft of images online is pretty rampant. But honest business owners...
I’ve Filed an LLC. I’m Personally Protected from Lawsuits, Right?
How useful is a condom that is never taken out of its box and wrapper? If you were the kind of person with enough forethought to buy a condom, you would probably want it to protect you from several things. But it would not be very useful to go through the trouble of...
Can I Incorporate In Nevada To Avoid California Taxes?
Taxes take a big bite out of profits for small business owners. True story: I pay five times my salary in taxes every year as the business owner. For every dollar I take home to feed my family, I have to earn five just for taxes. Too bad those tax dollars don't go to...
I Told My Employees That I’m Giving Them Stock Options. Is That Legal?
Many good and generous employers want to share with their employees. The idea behind giving employees stock is a sound one. Employees who are owners may be more invested in the business's success. They may feel more appreciated. It could give them a sense of pride,...
Is It Legal For Me to Find Investors For A Friend’s Business?
Maybe you have a rich friend who is looking to invest in something interesting or fun or worthy. And you have another friend who has just built a better mouse trap, but is living in his mom's basement. Together, the two could make millions. So you consider playing...
Failing to Police Your Trademark Online: A Cautionary Tale
In mid-2015, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) brought to trial a lawsuit against GoDaddy.com to stopped its “parked pages” program. I blogged previously about this lawsuit and what it means for business owners. Before this lawsuit, there was no...
Do I Have To Accommodate An Employee Who Uses Medical Marijuana?
Marijuana is well on its way to being legalized in the United States. I'm going to make a prediction right now. In about a decade's time, marijuana will be legal to use in the United States. I say that because we are nearing a tipping point in legalization. By the end...
Alicia Dearn
Alicia I. Dearn is the founder of Bellatrix PC, a woman-owned law firm with offices in Missouri and California. Bellatrix PC handles lawsuits and business transactions. We advise in business, employment, real estate, intellectual property, civil litigation, and election law.
