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 »
March 2021 Update: Governor Abbott Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions
On March 2, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34 that lifted the mask and occupancy limit mandates in Texas on the state level, effective March 10, 2021, and only gives counties the authority to re-impose the restrictions under certain circumstances, including hospitalization rates, and with some limits. How This Impacts You If you’re a business… Read More »
Merger and Integration Clauses
Commercial contracts are central to the day-to-day operations of your business. Merger and integration clauses document that your written contract alone governs the relationship between you and the other party and that there are no oral or written agreements outside of the contract. These clauses are enforceable and can protect your interests. How M&I Clauses… Read More »
How to Build Your IP Protection Strategy
Your inventions and market innovations; your brand and the goodwill associated with it; the secrets that give you a competitive edge; and your creative and professional employees are all critical intellectual property assets. When protecting these assets, it is vital to take a comprehensive and proactive approach to the identification, acquisition, protection, management, and commercialization… Read More »
The Basics of Business Liability Insurance
Business liability insurance may be one of the most important investments you make when starting and running a business as a way to protect your company and its assets against a potential lawsuit. Most insurance companies that provide liability insurance will hire a lawyer to defend you and also have money to pay to settle… Read More »
What Can I Expect When Selling a Business?
The prospect of selling a business can be both exciting and daunting. This general overview walks you through the typical purchase process for small and mid-market sellers. Letter of Intent (LOI) After initial conversations on the prospect of engaging in a sale, the prospective buyer will send the seller a Letter of Intent (LOI) to… Read More »
