A new program from the non-profit Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality (IFMCV), will provide a statewide mechanism for Iowa’s microentrepreneurs to connect with community development agencies for assistance. Among the groups spearheading the effort are the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation and the Community Vitality Center (CVC), a policy analysis center based at
Pizza Hut: A Tough Employment Situation Any Way You Slice It
The Des Moines Register had an article about how support has poured in for a Pizza Hut Delivery driver that was suspended from work after he shot an alleged armed robber. The employee had a valid handgun permit but a Pizza Hut human resources representative indicated that employees are not allowed to carry guns "because we (Pizza
BlawgIT has Moved to Its Own URL
Iowa’s first legal blog has moved to its own url at www.blawgit.com and new posts will no longer be available at its former blogger site. Iowa patent attorney Brett Trout has achieved remarkable success with his blog. It is an award winning blog that provides tremendous information on patent, trademark and Internet law.
Brett is also
Iowa Secretary of State Corporate Biennial Reports Due Today
It’s no April Fool’s joke, the Iowa Secretary of State corporate biennial reports are due today, April 1, 2008. If you have not filed your report be sure to do so today. In Iowa, limited liability companies are also required to file the report. If you file online the cost is $30.00 for the filing
What You Need to Know About Retaliation Claims
Pennsylvania employment lawyer Michael Moore has an excellent post on Five Things Every HR Generalist Should Know about Retaliation Claims. Michael notes that the number of retaliation claims rose 18% in 2007 to a record high, doubling since 1992. His post covers the following areas:
- What is unlawful retaliation?
- What is "Adverse Action" by
Today’s Lawyers Must Be Mindful of Social Media and Pretrial Publicity
Des Moines attorney Charles Kenville has a great post on the need for lawyers to be mindful of the new media exposure in their cases. Chuck has a criminal law bent to his post but his reminder is just as true for civil cases.
I know from experience that savvy businesses are acutely aware
Should Employers Allow Employees to Start Businesses?
I read a Des Moines Register article this past week on a young man who is starting a business while employed by another company. According to the SBA deputy director in Iowa this happens frequently. I must say that I greatly admire anyone who has the courage and desire to start their own business. But
Great Business Resources
Ohio business lawyer Terri Rasmussen has an excellent overview of the resources available on the SBA Website. (With a hat tip to Joel Libava on the Small Business Trends Blog for the original post). Terri also refers to a helpful post from Anita Campbell on the Ten Ways Business.gov Helps Your Business.
While I
A Must Read: Cautionary Tale About Partnership
A cautionary tale about partnership from Richard Fox on the Kauffman eVenturing site is an absolute must read. Fox shares how he thought his legal background would protect him well as he created shareholder agreements, buy/sell agreements, voting trusts, special bylaws and articles of incorporation when he entered into a business partnership. But even he was surprised
Rush Nigut Joins Brick Gentry, P.C. Law Firm
Today is my last day with the Sullivan & Ward law firm. This coming Monday I am taking a hop, skip and a jump over to the law firm of Brick Gentry, P.C. in West Des Moines, Iowa. This is actually almost literally true as the Brick Gentry law firm is located across the parking lot just to the west