Business
In today's corporate environment, business, financial and legal issues are intertwined in a more complex fashion that ever before. Any business, no matter how small or large, will encounter a vast array of conditions throughout its life cycle that require the steady, seasoned hand that a law firm well-versed in the intricacies of business law can provide. As general or special legal counselors to both public and privately held corporations, partnerships, LLCs, cooperatives and joint ventures, our attorneys stand ready to move your company from formation to expansion and beyond. We handle routine matters so you can concentrate on managing your business and we are there to guide you through the complex and multi-faceted deals that allow your business to achieve its potential.
Articles on Business
- Service Performing Partners of an LLP Are Not Exempt From Self-Employment Taxes
- by Steven A. Migala
In the ongoing debate over whether self-employment taxes apply to distributions from limited liability entities such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies, the United States Tax Court reviewed the issue earlier this year in Renkemeyer v. Commissioner, 136 T.C. No. 7 (2011). In that... read more
- Labor Certifications for Foreign Registered Nurses
- by Amil Alkass
Due the shortage of nurses in the United States, nurses seeking immigrant visas (“green cards”) operate under an easier system and get their green cards much faster than many other professions seeking employment in the United States. Registered Nurses (RNs) are treated in a very special... read more
- Email Spammers Beware, Mistakes can be Costly
- by Kerry M. Lavelle
Commercial email is regulated by federal law, specifically the CAN-SPAM Act, and violations of the Act can be incredibly costly- up to $16,000 for each individual email that violates the Act. What Type of Emails the Act Covers The CAN-SPAM Act only applies... read more
- Practical New Year’s Actions You Can Take To Ensure a Smooth 2011
- by Lance Ziebell
Every year around this time, people, including myself, make their “New Years Resolutions.” These resolutions, if most people are anything like me, last about a month, maybe two months. There are, however, a few “resolutions” most people should undertake at the beginning of the year... read more
- FedEx Drivers Largely Held to be Independent Contractors
- by Timothy M. Hughes
In a recent multidistrict litigation case in which delivery drivers from 26 states sought determinations that they were employees of FedEx for purposes including reimbursement of business expenses and entitlement to overtime pay, a district court held that the majority of the drivers were independent... read more
- Be Careful What You Write
- by James D. Voigt
It’s easy to write something in an email that you later regret. Email has become an electronic method of chatting around the water cooler. The only difference is that around this water cooler, someone is writing down every word you’re saying. In addition, the casually written email... read more
- Facebook: Friend or Foe?
- by Lance Ziebell
One of the most popular social networking sites currently running is Facebook. If most of us are not members there, we most likely know someone that is a member. Review any of your friends’ home pages, and you might be surprised at what you can find out about them and what pictures they have... read more
- Hording Cash Might Not Be the Solution Right Now: Sunset Provisions Make Corporate Distributions Before 2011 Worth Considering
- by James D. Voigt
You’ve heard it in the news. Not every company out there is struggling, and some are still doing quite well. But hiring is not coming around because many companies are hording cash in an effort to hedge against a still-uncertain future. Fiscal conservatism and old-fashioned savings are never... read more
- Are Your Workers Properly Classified?
- by Lance Ziebell
As the economy continues to slump, many companies have, and continue to, seek ways to reduce overall labor costs. One method of doing this is by employing independent contractors instead of having employees. As opposed to a regular employee, employers are not responsible for paying employment taxes... read more
- Relief from Liability for Misclassification of Employees
- by Josh Nesser
Recently, in response the soaring United States deficit, the IRS has intensified its efforts to close the “tax gap” – the difference between the amount of taxes that would be collected if all taxpayers completely complied with tax laws and what the IRS actually collects. One way the IRS seeks... read more
- Do Salaried Employees Need to Be Paid Overtime?
- by Lance Ziebell
A common misconception among employers is that they do not have to pay salaried employees overtime compensation. This is not entirely accurate. Unless a salaried employee falls under one of Illinois’ delineated exemptions, salaried employees are required to receive overtime. The Illinois... read more
- Why Every Employer Should Adopt a Social Media Networking Policy
- by Kerry M. Lavelle
While it is not groundbreaking news, is it safe to say that the Internet has changed the way we operate our business and personal lives over the last fifteen years? That question has a pretty obvious answer; the more current version of the same inquiry is whether or not social media sites such as Facebook,... read more
- Transferee Liability Pursuant to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act
- by Josh Nesser
When the sale of a business is structured as an asset sale, one of the most important considerations to the purchaser is whether it will assume any of the seller’s liabilities outstanding at the time of sale. Specifically, the purchaser will want to ensure that all of the seller’s tax liabilities... read more
- Do You Have a Social Media / Networking Policy?
- by Cameron R. Monti
With the popularity of Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, and other social media and networking outlets on the Internet, employers are now faced with technology-based legal and employment issues. For example, in May of 2010, the employment of a North Carolina waitress was terminated... read more
- Preparing for the Illinois Department of Labor Audit
- by Lance Ziebell
The Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) concerns itself with, among other things, making sure that employers are paying their employees the proper minimum wage as well as ensuring that employers are paying overtime to those employees whom are entitled to overtime compensation. The primary... read more
- Outsourced but Not Forgotten: Employers Still on the Hook if Problems Come Up
- by James D. Voigt
Employers can streamline their business operations and easily meet filing deadlines and deposit requirements by outsourcing payroll and related tax duties to payroll service providers. However, employers that outsource some or all of their payroll responsibilities still remain liable for all taxes,... read more
- Ensuring The Collection Of Your Account Receivables
- by Lance C. Ziebell
In these trying economic times, ensuring the timely receipt of your account receivables is even more critical to keeping your business's cash flow steady. Although some clients you are familiar with may be late in making their payments due to their own economic difficulties, there may be some... read more