Contracts are necessary in all different types of scenarios, from buying and selling goods to real estate transactions. When you enter into a contract, you expect the other party to perform their obligations under the agreement. However, breaches of contract still occur all the time in Florida. Thankfully, the law recognizes that contracts serve an important societal function and...
Florida is home to white sand beaches, beautiful coastlines, and some of the biggest companies in the world. As of the most recent tally, Florida is also home to approximately 22 million people or 7% of the U.S. population. But despite the beautiful landscape and robust population, Florida struggles with significant cybercrime. According to the FBI, there were more...
In nature, a group of stingrays is called a fever. However, it is unclear whether scientists have yet assigned a name for the group of lawsuits coming fast and furious at Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg, who was sued for the third time in less than three years by a group of minority owners. The most recent...
Rap icon and entrepreneur Jay-Z finally settled a dispute between his company, SCLiquor, LLC, and Empire Investments, Inc. (a subsidiary of Bacardi, Inc). The business ownership dispute began when Jay-Z proposed an agreement for Bacardi to buy out his interest. The controversy centered around Jay-Z’s valuation of the company and Empire’s refusal to turn over vital financial records. Jay-Z...
The recently resolved business ownership dispute between Shari Glazer and Aptos Labs brings home an essential but often overlooked piece of legal advice: putting everything in writing. There’s an adage among lawyers that if it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen. Unfortunately, Shari Glazer learned that lesson the hard way during her legal battle with Aptos Lab (Matonee, Inc.)...
As a Florida entrepreneur, you probably know that your intellectual property is one of your business’s most valuable assets. The best thing you can do is to protect your trademarks as soon as possible. But once you have been granted trademark rights, those marks need to be maintained to avoid trademark abandonment or loss of trademark rights. In Florida...
Florida employment agreements should include essential terms such as the compensation rate, benefits, contract termination options for both parties, the scope of work, and other details. Writing an effective Florida employment agreement is critical to helping limit your business’s liability and creating a productive workforce. After all, the employment agreement forms the foundation of your company’s relationship with its...
A dispute over ownership of a private business can arise in various contexts. Owner disputes are common in small businesses where owners may find themselves at odds over management styles, equity percentages, or the company’s future. Because business owners can have a lot of their personal capital tied up in a company, a dispute over ownership of a private...
In business, disputes can arise anytime—over virtually any issue. There are many choices available to business owners regarding how to handle a dispute, especially when deciding what kind of ongoing relationship you as a business owner want to have with the other party once the conflict is resolved. Understandably, companies and individuals alike are often confused about which dispute...
Franchising can be a quick, easy way to establish yourself in business. As a franchisee, you get instant brand recognition. For a franchisor, you receive payment on the use of your business name and, potentially, royalties on your franchisee’s profits. It seems like a win-win—unless the deal is a loser. Sometimes, the franchise agreement simply is not a match,...