The daringly dramatic and fiercely funny series from writer and creator Jesse Armstrong, Succession, was the small-talk topic of the fall. The series follows the Roy family and their associates – a committee of quick-witted vultures – who own and operate a massive media conglomerate, Waystar Royco. The company, which always seems to be under… Read More »
Why Boldness is the Future of Business in 2022
Success in the post-pandemic marketplace is the product of bold acts from bold entrepreneurs. Economic hardship triggers our flight-or-fight response – it’s how we as humans deal with threats. But, in business, this reaction can sometimes be counterproductive, and often the best moves are counterintuitive. If you’re a small to midsize business owner, you may… Read More »
5 Tips for Implementing Secure Digital Contracts
Digital contracts are a small way businesses can achieve ample growth. They function exactly like paper contracts but exist only as files and data exchanged between relevant parties. Due to their nature, they are easy to use and make contracting a more economical process; however, integrating digital contracts into your workflow is easier said than… Read More »
How Inflation in 2021 Affects Business
It’s no secret, prices on commodities like meats, lumber, and gas are higher than ever. In 2020, the Federal Government anticipated inflation to increase by 1.8%, on track with inflation rates over the past decade. But they were way off. At a 13-year peak of 5.3%, inflation has monstrously exceeded market projections – to the… Read More »
The Basics of Non-Disclosure Agreements
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are an essential tool for business owners. NDAs are legally binding contracts that limit one or more parties from disclosing confidential information about a business. You may also hear NDAs referred to as a confidentiality clause, non-disclosure form, secrecy agreement, or proprietary information agreement. Regardless of what you call it, the essence… Read More »
Digital Deal-Making for Businesses in 2021
Technological progress is altering the way we live, think, and do business. Our physical world is increasingly intertwining with the virtual world. We are becoming not just physical but digital beings that live and work alongside artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. As such, traditional businesses must also master the oscillation between the “in real… Read More »
Case Study: The Story of a North Dallas Zoning Battle on Forest Lane
After years of blithe stagnation, a long-forgotten lot near the Dallas North Tollway finally received a bid. The lot, held by the city to build a library with bond dollars, was never developed. Instead, since 2006, the Forest Lane lot has been vacant. But that is about to change. Dallas scrapped the idea of building… Read More »
Evaluating Religious Exemption Requests from Mandatory Employee COVID Vaccine Policies
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers with more than 15 employees to reasonably accommodate an employee’s (or prospective employee’s) refusal to be vaccinated under a mandatory vaccination policy if the refusal is based on a “sincerely held religious belief.” The employer must “reasonably accommodate” the employee’s religious belief unless to… Read More »
Austin’s Brownfields: An Examination of Environmental Contamination
The demand for Austin residential and commercial real estate shows no signs of slowing. Lucrative employment options, unbridled population growth, the affordable market (when compared to the Silicon Valley or other big cities), and, of course, the natural beauty and abundant culture of the city have cemented Austin’s status as one of the hottest cities… Read More »
A Guide to Intellectual Property Law and NFTs
With entertainment shifting to content and currency shifting to crypto, the tokenization of content was an inevitable seismic rupture. Nonfungible Tokens, or NFTs, shook the crypto market by taking art and content and turning it into a one-of-a-kind digital file that is not replaceable (nonfungible). Purchasing an NFT is akin to purchasing an original painting.… Read More »
What the 87th Texas Legislature Means for Businesses
From January to the end of May, the Texas legislature met in Austin to discuss and vote on new legislation for the state, some of which may directly impact you and your business. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant changes for business in 2021-2022. Texas Tax Code 313 This law, part of the Texas… Read More »
Austin Commercial Real Estate Forecast: Red-Hot in 2021
The signs are everywhere; from the headlines to the cranes to the population increases, the commercial real estate in Austin is booming. For nonlocals, the secret is out. According to Mike McDonald, vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, “It’s the hottest market in the country right now.” Business Flocking to Austin Business has always been… Read More »
Protect Your Digital Assets with Intellectual Property Law
Many online and eCommerce businesses recognize the value of their digital assets. In fact, their digital assets may be the primary source of value for their business. Operating a business in the digital marketplace, however, poses risks to these assets: they can easily be stolen or duplicated by other entities. Fortunately, with the help of… Read More »
The State of Texas v. Griddy Holdings LLC: From Frigid Air to Hot Water
For some local businesses, the fallout from the great February freeze persists – plumbing problems, flooring to be replaced, furnaces gone kaput; but for Griddy Holdings, an electricity service provider that exclusively serves Texas, the freeze may never end. In a press release from March 16, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office… Read More »
Business Disputes May Be the Reason Your Small Business Fails. Here’s Why.
A frequent source of failure for many fledgling businesses isn’t a lack of capital. Getting proper funding to get your idea off the ground is, of course, required to start a small business in the first place. But after the machine is moving, internal and external business disputes are among the most common causes for… Read More »
