Latest Legal Insights

Starting and operating a business in Ohio requires navigating various legal requirements, including obtaining the proper licenses and permits. Compliance with state and local regulations is essential to avoid fines, penalties, and potential business shutdowns. This article outlines key licensing and compliance considerations for Ohio business owners. Business Registration Requirements Before applying for any licenses or permits, business owners must register their entity with

When photographing or videotaping children at events for promotional purposes, it's essential to comply with both federal and Ohio laws to protect children's privacy and obtain necessary parental consent. Federal Law: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates the online collection of personal information from children under 13. While COPPA primarily addresses online data collection, it also considers phot

This guide is intended to help owners assess whether liquidating assets is necessary, understand the trade-offs involved, and make informed, strategic decisions under financial pressure.   Step 1: Mentally Prepare for the Realities of a Downturn in Your Business or in the Market Before making any decisions, it's important to reframe expectations: Asset values may be lower than their peak. You may not get "what it’s worth" — instead, you'll get what someone will pay today.

Imagine owning a piece of land your family has cared for many years. One day, your town tells you they need your property to build something for the public—like a road, school, or water system. You don’t want to sell, but the town says they have the right to take it. How is that possible? This process is called eminent domain, and it allows the government to take private property if it’s for public use—but they must pay fair market value for it. Eminent domain is a powerful

If you’ve been served with a lawsuit, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or unsure of your next steps. But acting quickly and deliberately can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and minimizing potential consequences. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you face a lawsuit.   Don’t Ignore the Lawsuit The worst thing you can do is ignore the summons or complaint. Ohio law gives you a limited time to file a response with the court, typically 28 days f

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) enforcement status has undergone significant changes in recent weeks due to ongoing legal challenges. Below is a brief timeline of events and updates for your reference: Timeline of Recent Developments December 3, 2024 Event: Southern District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issues a nationwide preliminary injunction halting the enforcement of the CTA. Reason: Concerns over the constitutionality of the CTA. December 23, 2024 Event

What is a Corporate Resolution? A corporate resolution is a written document that records formal decisions by a corporation's board of directors or shareholders. These resolutions authorize specific actions or policies that guide the corporation’s activities, such as major financial undertakings, changes in company structure, appointment of executives, or strategic shifts in business operations.   Typically, a corporate resolution is drafted during a board or shareholder m

As of December 2024, significant developments have occurred regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements. These changes, driven by recent legal rulings, directly impact businesses nationwide. Here’s what you need to know and how to prepare for compliance. What is the Corporate Transparency Act? The CTA, enacted in 2021, aims to combat money laundering and other financial crimes by requiring certain busi

Click Here for an Infographic PDF of the Article Below Finding yourself in a situation where someone owes you money but hasn’t paid can be frustrating and stressful. When the amount is significant enough that you can’t just write it off but not quite large enough to justify the expense of hiring an attorney, it can feel like you’re stuck in a tough spot. Fortunately, writing a demand letter is often a cost-effective first step in attempting to collect what you’re owed before

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has updated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime regulations, significantly impacting employee eligibility for overtime pay. These changes focus on adjusting the salary thresholds for exempt employees in executive, administrative, or professional roles who are not entitled to overtime pay. Key Changes to Overtime Regulations Standard Salary Level Increase : Effective July 1, 2024 : The minimum salary required for exemption increase

As a business owner, it's crucial to stay informed about changes in labor and employment laws. Recent updates to overtime regulations may significantly impact how you classify and compensate your employees. On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule, “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees”, which took effect July 1, 2024. This rule modified regulations issued

As a business owner, staying updated with regulatory changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding potential legal pitfalls. One of the latest developments you should be aware of is the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new rule on classifying independent contractors. This rule has significant implications for how you classify and manage your workforce. This article provides a general overview on the new rule regarding classifying independent contractors.   What is a

**UPDATE** We want to bring your attention to a significant update regarding the FTC’s proposed Non-Compete Rule. On August 20th, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the FTC from enforcing its Non-Compete Rule, which was set to take effect on September 4th. What This Means for Employers: You are no longer required to comply with the proposed rule. There’s no need to send the notices to employees that

On Friday, March 1, 2024, a United States District Court in Alabama ruled that the Federal Corporate Transparency Act, which requires businesses throughout the United States to file reports with the U.S. Department of the Treasury that identify their beneficial owners, is unconstitutional. This case can be found under the name  National Small Business Association v. Yellen , Case No. 5:22-cv-01448-LCB. This decision, if upheld, will have a far-reaching impact on the reporting

The Corporate Transparency Act, which became effective January 1, 2024, aims to enhance transparency in corporate structures by requiring certain companies, including LLCs, to disclose the person or persons who exercise ownership or substantial control of the entity , known as Beneficial Ownership Information.   This legislation was enacted with the goal of preventing money laundering, fraud, and other illicit activities, as it enables law enforcement agencies to access acc

By now, you learned about agritourism, and the basic concepts to qualify ( Part 1 ), we discussed several examples and how agritourism can benefit your business ( Part 2 ), and I explored eight unique ways that agritourism protects you from particular legal concerns ( Part 3 ). You did your research, you made your plans, and you are ready to get started on your new idea – now what? Step One: Forming Your Idea Maybe converting your farm to an agritourism business has been on y

Over the last two articles, I have discussed what agritourism is , what some of the rules surrounding it are, and how it can benefit you . In this article, I will explore the legal and tax protections that agritourism offers. Keeping and Expanding Your Tax Benefits Ben Franklin once said that death and taxes are the only two unavoidable aspects of life, and he was not wrong. While agritourism will not prevent your farm from having to pay taxes, it allows your business to qual

As discussed in  Part One , agritourism is a rapidly spreading form of agricultural entrepreneurship, allowing farmers and ranchers to expand their income while creating opportunities for the public to learn and gain first-hand experience. While you may have a picture of what you expect from agritourism , probably a Christmas tree farm or a pick-your-own orchard, there are hundreds of possible paths for your specific business and many ways to benefit you; this article will di

Driving through the hills of Licking County, you will encounter numerous agritourism businesses. From an Orchard in Utica to a Tree Farm in Alexandria to a Fruit Farm in Pataskala, your neighbors have discovered the advantage of catering to tourists from Columbus and transforming their property into pick-your-own orchards, corn mazes, and wedding venues. What is Agritourism? Agritourism is a rapidly spreading form of agricultural business ownership. Instead of using your fa

In honor of National Small Business Week, our Marketing Manager asked if I could write an article about helping a new business start. With so many business basics available in articles, Google, or the latest version of Chat GPT, I wanted to write about more than just a step-by-step legal guide to starting a business. With that idea in mind, I am providing a few of the primary aspects of starting a business while also reviewing some of the skills I believe are important for en