Congratulations to Des Moines attorney Steven Zumbach for his induction into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. In reviewing the list of inductees it looks like he is only the second practicing attorney inducted since 1975. Zumbach is a partner in the Belin Lamson McCormick Zumbach Flynn law firm, a past chairman of the Greater
October 2006
Growing Trend: Franchisors Seeking Non-Competes Against Spouses
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Franchise Law
A blog post by the New Jersey Law Blog discusses the recent trend of franchisors’ attempts to expand the number of persons that will be covered under the non-competition clause in a franchise agreement. Litigator John MacDonald believes that franchisors must have reasonably limited expectations when seeking to enforce non-competition agreements against franchisee spouses…
Small Business Corporate Governance
By Rush Nigut on
I recently read an excellent reminder on corporate governance issues written by business and real estate lawyer Traci D. Ellis.
Ellis wrote that good corporate governance is essential to running and growing a business. Here are some of her examples of good corporate governance:
- Hold regular board of director and shareholder meetings in
…
Where Should You Incorporate Your Iowa Small Business?
By Rush Nigut on
Where should I incorporate my small business? I hear this question a lot from would be entrepreneurs in Iowa. The question used to surprise me but after seeing the numerous advertisements for Delaware and Nevada corporations on the Internet I suppose it is a legitimate question.
Delaware has reputation and history on its side. Delaware’s…
Bloggers Beware!
By Rush Nigut on
Iowa patent and technology lawyer Brett Trout recently posted about a couple of cases where bloggers were hit with big verdicts. One of the verdicts included $11.3 million awarded to a Florida woman after being called a "crook", "con artist" and a "fraud" in an online post.
This just points out that businesses must look…
Start-Up Business Resource: Entrepreneurs’ Viewpoint Blog
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Business Law, Starting a Business
We have started a new tradition. Every Saturday I will point out a great Web resource for business start-ups. Today is one of my favorites.
The Entrepreneurs’ Viewpoint Blog along with the Kauffman eVenturing Web site is one of the best comprehensive resources for businesses on the Web. The site contains orginal articles written by…
Surveys on Iowa’s Legal Climate
By Rush Nigut on
The Iowa Association of Business and Industry has published a survey indicating Iowa’s legal climate is hurting job growth. The survey also states that many Iowa business leaders are dissatisfied with Iowa’s legal climate and believe it is costing the state jobs because of competition from other states.
The survey seems to contradict the U.S.
Iowa Consumer Case Against Microsoft Heats Up
By Rush Nigut on
The six-year old Iowa private antitrust class-action against Microsoft is finally heating up. The case is set for trial November 13, 2006 but yesterday a hearing was held on Microsoft’s allegations that Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Roxanne Barton Conlin, engaged in misconduct when she persuaded a Hewlett-Packard technician to give her internal documents from another case. …
Age Discrimination and Employment Applications
By Rush Nigut on
Posted in Employment Law
Is it acceptable to request the birth date of an applicant on the job application?
It is generally NOT advisable to request an applicant’s date of birth on an employment application (except to ask whether an applicant is over the age of 18). The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of…
Des Moines Lawyers Rush Nigut and Brett Trout Receiving National Attention
By Rush Nigut on
Lawpportunities, a joint venture between Des Moines lawyers Rush Nigut and Brett Trout, is receiving national attention for its legal blogging seminar coming up this November 10th in Johnston, Iowa. According to LexBlog’s Kevin O’Keefe, Lawpportunities is hosting the country’s first full-day CLE devoted to blogging. LexBlog is one of the country’s…