When you buy a business you should consider setting up a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to buy the business. You should avoid signing any contracts, loan agreements and leases in your personal name. In certain cases you may be required to personally guarantee the loan or other debts but it is still recommended
June 2006
30 TouchPlay Businesses Sue State of Iowa
By Rush Nigut on
Thirty TouchPlay businesses have sued the State of Iowa claiming the state breached its contract with the businesses when the legislature banned the TouchPlay lottery machines earlier this year. The lawsuit does not request specified damages but the businesses will be seeking millions. Earlier this year five businesses unsuccessfully fought for an injunction to stop…
Buying an Iowa Business: Due Diligence Checklist
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Business Law, Starting a Business
If you are interested in buying an existing Iowa business you should take a look at this due diligence checklist provided by Kauffman eVenturing and developed by finance expert Corey Schwartz. Using a due diligence checklist can help you compile the necessary information to investigate a business and negotiate effectively.
For more information regarding the…
Iowa Secretary of State to Host Notary Conference
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Events
The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office is hosting the 1st Annual Iowa Notary Conference on Friday, September 15, 2006 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. This one day conference will cover several topics of importance to Iowa Notaries including:
* Immigration Law
* Health Documents
* Notary Signing Agents
* Electronic Notarization
*…
Sullivan & Ward Practice Highlight: Rural Electric Cooperative & Public Utility Law
For over fifty years, the Sullivan & Ward law firm has represented rural electric cooperatives and generating electric cooperatives in the state of Iowa, as well as several electric cooperatives from across the country. Our attorneys, including John Ward and Michael Joynt, have gained national recognition for their expertise in the area of rural…
Employers Use Google to Find Scoop on Employees and Applicants
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Current Affairs, Employment Law
Seattle, Washington lawyer D. Jill Pugh recently wrote an interesting blog post regarding the fact employers are increasingly using Google to find out information about employees and applicants. Employers are able to find out all kinds of information on the Internet including the sorts of information that are illegal to ask in an interview. (Such…
Iowa Secretary of State Biennial Report Revocation Deadline
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Business Law, Events
Iowa Secretary of State Biennial Report Revocation Deadline
If you have not filed your biennial report with the Iowa Secretary of State the revocation deadline is fast approaching. If you fail to comply with filing the report your Certificate of Authority to operate your business in Iowa will be revoked on August 7, 2006. This…
Your (Law Firm) Management Sucks
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Books
Your (Law Firm) Management Sucks
I recently read Your Management Sucks by business consultant Mark Stevens. It’s a great book that I highly recommend. (It is the sequel to Your Marketing Sucks which I also recommend). In his latest book Stevens advises that you should declare war on your business management philosophy. Here is his…
Rush on Business Included in the Taxonomy of Legal Blogs
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Events
Rush on Business Included in the Taxonomy of Legal Blogs
Rush on Business was recently included in the Taxonomy of Legal Blogs. This worthwhile and ambitious project is the creation of Ian Best who is a recent graduate from the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University. Ian’s work was recently mentioned in…
SIX QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE FIRING EMPLOYEE
By Rush Nigut on
Six Questions to Consider Before Firing an Employee
You should consider the following in deciding whether to fire an employee:
1) Do you have documentation of the employee’s poor performance and/or poor behavior? What is in the employee’s personnel file? You should also conduct a thorough investigation of the events in question including the employee’s…