Category Archives: Business Law
What Is an S Corporation and Why Would You Want One?
S corporation is a bit of a misnomer — it is not actually a distinct type of business entity. Rather, it is a tax option available under the Internal Revenue Code for certain domestic business corporations validly organized under state law. Typically, it is an option for relatively small domestic corporations. What’s more, the… Read More »
U.S. Supreme Court Rules that Severance Payments are Considered Wages
Quality Stores was in financial trouble in 2001 when it began offering its employees severance packages. The question presented in United States v. Quality Stores, Inc. was whether severance payments from employers to employees constitute “wages” under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). FICA is a mandatory federal payroll tax imposed on employers and… Read More »
When Business Partners Go Their Separate Ways
Some business partnerships — like marriages — do not last forever. How you manage the split can mean the difference between exiting as friends or losing money, clients, resources and assets. Protect your interests and investment to come out as whole as possible at the end of the process. Severing a business partnership Business… Read More »
Recent U.S. Supreme Court Arbitration Law Decisions
Two recent Supreme Court decisions, Oxford Health Plans, LLC v. Sutter and American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant, have clarified issues regarding class arbitration. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled in Stolt-Nielsen S.A. v. AnimalFeeds International Corp. that the Federal Arbitration Act bars class arbitration unless the parties affirmatively agree to it. This… Read More »
Obtaining a Mechanics’ Lien in Maryland
In most states, a person who has improved real property can obtain a mechanics’ lien from the court on the improved property if he or she is not paid. Courts tend to construe mechanics’ liens broadly to provide subcontractors with a remedy when they have already delivered materials or supplied the labor. In Maryland,… Read More »
Protecting Your Business’s Trade Secrets
Trade secrets can be crucial assets to your company. When a trade secret has been misappropriated, a business can seek an injunction and monetary damages. Under Maryland Commercial Law, a trade secret is defined as information such as a formula, pattern, program, device, technique or process that “derives independent economic value, actual or potential,… Read More »
Hallmarks of a Good Contract
What constitutes a good deal is specific to your industry and the market conditions at the time. What constitutes a good contract, however, is universal. A good contract must balance clarity and flexibility — providing unambiguous solutions for common issues that arise and workable guidelines for contending with unanticipated problems. Boilerplate contracts simply do… Read More »
Reasonable Accommodation Basics for the Disabled
Reasonable accommodation is one of the most complicated concepts businesses must contend with under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Unfortunately, this complexity means that even well-meaning employers can find themselves facing substantial civil liability for misunderstanding the full scope and effect of this important provision. But the concept of reasonable accommodation also has limits… Read More »
Tax Treatment of Foreign Workers
While resident aliens working in the United States have tax obligations similar to those of citizens, employers and employees alike are often confused about their duties regarding non-resident temporary workers. But temporary workers do indeed have tax obligations in the United States — many of which are substantially more complicated than those of residents…. Read More »
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Your Business
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) makes it unlawful for companies and their representatives to make payments to foreign officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business — even when such payments (bribes) typify business practice in that country. Historically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has prosecuted both the individual businessmen and the companies… Read More »
