Category: Entrepreneurs

Business, Compliance, Contracts, Entrepreneurs, New York

Ping® By AdlerLaw – NYC Written Contracts & Freelance Workers

Ping® by Adlerlaw Reminder: NYC Requires Written Contracts For Freelance Workers

New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act defines freelance workers as any individual hired or retained as an independent contractor by a hiring party to provide services for compensation. Commonly referred to as gigs, tasks, projects, side or contingent work, working on contract or spec, freelancing, contracting, subcontracting, consulting, moonlighting, entrepreneurship, alternative arrangements, self-employment, etc., you can contact DCWP if you have questions about classification as a freelance worker, independent contractor, or employee.

If you employ independent contractors in New York City (NYC), you may need to have written contracts with your workers. Since May 15, 2017, NYC’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act (the “Act” or “FIFA”) established and enhanced protections for freelance workers, a/k/a “independent contractors.” The Act provides the right to a written contract between the hiring party and the contractor, the right to be paid timely and in full, and the right to be free of retaliation. The key terms that must be included in the written contract are (1) the work to be performed, (2) the pay for the work, and (3) the date payment will be made. The contractor and the hiring party must keep a copy of the written contract.

To read the full Article, go to adler-law.com or click here.

Business, Contracts, Corporate Law, Entrepreneurs, Mergers & Acquisitions, Venture Capital

Ping® by Adlerlaw – Structuring and Planning M&A Transactions

Ping® by Adlerlaw – Structuring and Planning M&A Transactions

I was honored to participate in a recent webinar about Merger & Acquisition Transactions as part of the Financial Poise  M&A BOOT CAMP 2023. Our program, the kick-off episode in the series,  “Structuring and Planning the M&A Transaction,” covered a broad range of topics related to preparing for, structuring, and executing M&A transactions.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you may have questions, such as “What are the primary types of M&A transactions?” The panel discussed some of the key similarities and how they are structurally different. For example, I discussed the reasons why a buyer might want to structure a deal as an Asset Deal. Other panelists discussed the reason for choosing a merger (combining two companies); stock sales and purchases such as buying a company through a purchase of stock of the selling company from its shareholders. The panel also discussed financing options like  ESOPS and use of debt.

You can learn more here.

Business, Contracts, Design, Entrepreneurs, Law, Legislation, llinois, New York

Ping® by AdlerLaw July 2022 – Recent State Laws in Illinois & New York Affect Contractors, Interior Designers

This month’s issue of Ping® highlights recent changes in State laws in Illinois and New York. Effective January 1, 2023, Illinois joins at least 18 other states to have a Title Act authorizing Registered Interior Designers to seal any bound set or loose sheets of technical submissions. This change can only benefit everyone in the industry including, designers, tradespersons, and most importantly, consumers. Also noteworthy is New York’s legislative approval of NY State Senate Bill S8369B relating to protections for freelance workers. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act (the “Act”) if signed, would amend the New York Labor Law to establish rights for covered freelance workers such as the rights to receive a written contract, receive timely and full payment, and freedom from retaliation. 

Illinois: Legislation relating to Registration & the Scope of Practice of Interior Designers

Effective January 1, 2023, Illinois joins at least 18 other states to have a Title Act authorizing Registered Interior Designers to seal any bound set or loose sheets of technical submissions. This change can only benefit everyone in the industry, designers, tradespersons and most importantly, consumers as it will expedite some customary but often needlessly duplicated tasks.

The Title Act puts no stumbling blocks before those who wish be interior designers. These statutory provisions and rules do not regulate the practice of interior design – anyone can offer to provide and provide interior design services in Illinois. The Illinois act only regulates the use of a specific title – “Illinois Registered Interior Designer.”

Illinois is one of 19 states, including neighboring Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, that have voluntary title registration for interior designers with no permitting authority. In addition, 21 other states, including Michigan, have no title laws or permitting authority for interior designers at all. Proponents of regulating interior design submit that interior designer registration requires industry recognized credentialing and rigorous testing.

If you have questions about the Act’s application to your business, or about the pros/cons of becoming a Registered Interior Designer, or if you need assistance navigating the credentialing process, please feel to contact me for more information. (866)734-2568 and David [at] adler-law.com.

New York: State Legislature Approves Statutory Protections For Independent Contractors

New York’s legislative approval of NY State Senate Bill S8369B relating to protections for freelance workers. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act, if signed, would amend the New York Labor Law to establish rights for covered freelance workers such as the rights to receive a written contract, receive timely and full payment, and freedom from retaliation. 

The Act establishes protections for certain freelance workers providing services for entities located in the City. The New York State Legislature had earlier this month approved a bill providing similar protections to freelance workers throughout the state. If signed by the Governor, the Act will take effect 180 days after signing and apply to contracts entered into with certain independent contractors on or after that effective date. The Act mirrors the City-specific text in almost all respects and amends the New York Labor Law to establish protections for covered freelance workers, including establishing rights for covered freelance workers such as the rights to receive a written contract, receive timely and full payment, and freedom from retaliation.

Independent Contractors

If you or your business is contracted to perform specific work for an “employer,” according to your own process, using your own resources, and outside the daily control of the employer, you are an independent contractor. Independent contractors are not considered employees. This creates risk and benefits for both parties. Considered self-employed, independent contractors do not receive most of the rights and benefits that employees receive from employers or by virtue of federal and state employment laws, particularly the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, independent contractors are responsible for paying all applicable federal, state and local taxes from the income you receive. However, civil rights law does apply to independent contractors in their relationship to employers. Independent contractors go by many names, including, freelancer, contractor, or consultant.

However, unlike an employee, the terms of the relationship between an independent contractor and the employer are subject to negotiation and may not always be presumed or mutually understood. For example, the terms of your work assignment, and who owns the finished (or in process) work product. For example, if you are a photographer working as an independent contractor, you retain the copyright to your photos even after delivering it to the employer, unless you have a written agreement explicitly stating the services are “work-made-for-hire,” specially commissioned, or otherwise assigned away. As an independent contractor, you will be paid according to the terms of your agreement, not according to the employer’s customary payroll. One of the biggest challenges for independent contractors is getting paid, but these risks can be addressed by properly considering  this issue prior to commencing work.

Focus | Vision | Perspective | Passion

Executives and creative professionals face an often confusing and dynamic set of challenges trying to ensure that their business remains legally compliant. Yet few can afford the highly-qualified and versatile legal staff needed to deal with today’s complex and inconstant legal and regulatory environment.

Adler Law Group is a boutique Entertainment, Intellectual Property & Media law firm created with a specific mission in mind: to provide businesses with a competitive advantage by enabling them to leverage their intangible assets and creative content in a way that drives innovation and increases the overall value of the business. Although we are a highly-specialized law firm, we counsel on a broad range of interconnected issues by leveraging synergies created where Intellectual Property Law, Contract Law and Corporate Law overlap.We approach our relationship with each client as a true partnership and we view our firm as an extension of their capabilities. Our primary value is our specialization on relevant and complex issues that maintain the leading edge for our clients. We invite you to learn more about the services we offer and how we differ.

Business, Contracts, Corporate Law, Design, Entrepreneurs, Fashion Design, interior design

Ping® Webinar: 5 Things Every Design Contract Needs

I want to give a big thanks to Houzz PRO for hosting this webinar.

This program covered: 

–The five key problem areas in design contracts 

–What the key terms of a contract should be, why they are there and when they should be changed 

–Rights & Remedies: what a designer can do if a client is not living up to his/her side of the deal.

Read More Here.

Business, Contracts, Corporate Law, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, Law, Legislation, Noncompete

Ping® October 2021 Changes Coming to Non-Compete Agreements in Illinois

EMPLOYMENT (820 ILCS 90/) Illinois Freedom to Work Act.

Illinois passed a law that amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Expands the scope of the Act to apply to all employees (rather than only low-wage employees). Prohibits all covenants not to compete.

Scope

The law goes into effect January 1, 2022 and amends the Freedom to Work Act (the Act), which restricts the use of non-compete agreements for low wage workers. For the first time, Illinois will have statutory requirements for mandatory review periods, definitions of adequate consideration and legitimate business interests, as well as specific salary minimums for employees subject to restrictive covenants. 

Application

The law will apply to non-compete and non-solicit covenants. The law does not apply to contracts covering confidential and proprietary information, protection of trade secrets, or inventions assignment agreements. The law also does not address covenants for independent contractors, and expressly carves out restrictions on a person purchasing or selling the goodwill  or an ownership interest in a business.

Mandatory Review

The law requires that an employer advise the employee in writing to consult with an attorney prior to entering into the covenant and provide the employee with at least 14 calendar days to review the agreement. 

Consideration

Contract lawyers know that to be enforceable a promise must be supported by consideration. Due to the unique nature of restrictive covenants, there is heightened scrutiny of what will constitute sufficient consideration for a restrictive covenant under the Illinois law. The leading Illinois case, 

Fifield v. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 993 NE 2d 938 (Ill.App.1st 2013), an Illinois court decided that mere employment or continued employment for at-will employees, is not adequate consideration to support a restrictive covenant unless the employee remains employed with the employer for at least two years after signing the agreement. 

Illinois law will now expressly defines “adequate consideration” as either (1) the employee working for the employer for at least two years after signing the non-compete or non-solicitation covenant or (2) other sufficient consideration, such as “a period of employment plus additional professional or financial benefits or merely professional or financial benefits adequate by themselves.”

The law leaves open the definition of “additional professional or financial benefits.” Courts have found signing bonuses, equity grants, and other types of consideration sufficient under current case law. 

Going Forward

While there is time to plan for the effect of the new law, it’s not too soon to begin reviewing current existing “form” contracts and consider changes. One-size-fits-all contracts always need fine-tuning. Change sin the business operating environment require a closer look at non-compete and non-solicitation covenants. 

Business, Chicago, Contracts, Corporate Law, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, interior design, Law, Small Business, Start-ups, Strategy

Ping® – Arts, Entertainment, Media & Advertising Law News – “Five Rs” To Remember

“Five Rs” To Remember When Letting Employees Go

It is inevitable in almost every business. You will need to let an employee go. Whether it’s a seasoned designer coming with plug-and-play experience or a fresh face just out of design school, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Recently, several of my designer clients have had to fire an employee due to the employee’s misconduct. This could be anything from soliciting and directing company clients and prospects, to doing personal consulting work on the company’s dime, to taking property and information. Regardless of the reason, here are five “R”s to keep in mind.

1. Review the contract.

2. Reconcile and pay.

3. Request return of property.

4. Reiterate respectfulness. 

5. Reserve rights.

With those ideas in mind, let’s consider each one. A little more.

1. Review the contract/offer letter. This is always the first step and will provide guidance on termination rights, procedures and remedies, if any.

2. Reconcile and pay what’s owed. See number 1. Ensure that except for payment of contractual and statutory amounts, no other salary, commissions, overtime, bonuses, vacation pay, sick pay, severance pay, additional severance pay or other payments or benefits whatsoever will be paid.

3. Request return of property and information, in whatever form. Request all property any and all property or documents the employee created or received in the course of employment, including, but not limited to e-mails, passwords, documents and other electronic information, hardware such as laptop computers and cellular telephones, calculators, smartphones and other electronic equipment (mobile phone, tablet, etc.), software, keys, company credit cards, calling cards, parking transponder, information technology equipment, client lists, files and other confidential and proprietary documents, in any media or format, including electronic files.

4. Reiterate a professional’s obligation to remain respectful. Specific admonition of non-disparagement such as “refrain from saying, making, writing or causing to be made or written, disparaging or harmful comments about us, our employees and/or our clients.”

5. Reserve rights. Close your termination notice by expressly reserving legal and equitable rights and remedies.

Please note that this is not legal advice and you should consult your own lawyer regarding your rights and obligations in the context of terminating your employee’s employment.

Business, Compliance, Computing, Content Development, Contracts, Copyright, Creative Content, cyber risk, Ecommerce, Entertainment, Entrepreneurs, Infringement, Litigation, Ownership

Declaratory Judgment Action for Copyright Infringement

At a time when #media creation & consumption is traveling across a growing number of devices, at increasing speeds, and without care for for borders whether physical, digital, or geographic, licensing, distribution and use of digital content can cause problems.

The case of Fastcase, Inc. v. Lawriter, LLC, Case No. 17-14110 (11th Cir. Oct. 29, 2018) (Tjoflat, J), involved a dispute between two legal publication service companies over the right to re-publish the Georgia Regulations.

The Declaratory Judgment defendant and presumptive rights owner had no enforceable copyright or contract rights in the Regulations. Defendant updated the terms so that unauthorized re-publication of the Regulations would result in liquidated damages of $20,000 per instance, which was relevant to the jurisdictional issues of whether § 411(a) is a jurisdictional bar.

From The National Law Review, source for this story: “Practice Note: A demand letter alleging infringement under the Copyright Act—or even alleging state law claims that would arguably be preempted by the Copyright Act—confers jurisdiction on a federal court to hear the recipient’s declaratory judgment action.”

Business, Contracts, Corporate Law, Entrepreneurs, interior design, Restrictive Covenants, Uncategorized

Illinois law and enforceability of postemployment restrictive covenants

Every business in this, the Information Age, is highly dependent on confidential and proprietary information.  As many design and creative professionals know, a design business is often based on intimate, personal relationships with clients. As a result,  relationships are built upon a high degree of trust and the professional reputation of the designer.  In addition, the designer brings a host of regular vendors and proprietary skills, knowledge, experience, including private and confidential information about clients, used for operating the Business.  It is not surprising that businesses will seek to prevent disclosure of business, technical and financial information (including information relating to clients, employees and vendors, as well information an employee learns during her employment.

Do I need a Non-solicitation agreement for my Design Business?

Increasingly, I am being asked by clients to prevent departing employees from using proprietary and confidential information and form poaching clients and employees.  These non-disclosure or non-solicitation provisions seek to prevent an employee from encouraging or soliciting any client, employee, vendor, or contractor to leave. Unfortunately,

Restrictive Covenants Are Hard to Enforce!

Post-employment restrictive covenants are carefully scrutinized by Illinois courts because they operate as partial restrictions on trade. Fifieldv. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 993 N.E.2d 938 (citing Cambridge Engineering, Inc. v. Mercury Partners90 BI, Inc., 378 Ill.App.3d 437, 447 (2007) ). In order for a restrictive covenant to be valid and enforceable, the terms of the covenant must be reasonable. It is established in Illinois that a restrictive covenant is reasonable only if the covenant (1) is no greater than is required for the protection of a legitimate business interest of the employer, (2) does not impose undue hardship on the employee, and (3) is not injurious to the public. Reliable Fire Equipment Co. v. Arredondo, 965 N.E.2d 393 (2011). The courts consider the unique factors and circumstances of the case when determining the reasonableness of a restrictive covenant. Millard Maintenance Service Co. v. Bernero, 566 N.E.2d 379 (1990). However, before even considering whether a restrictive covenant is reasonable, the court must make two determinations: (1) whether the restrictive covenant is ancillary to a valid contract; and (2) whether the restrictive covenant is supported by adequate consideration. Fifield, 993 N.E.2d 938. Absent adequate consideration, a covenant, though otherwise reasonable, is not enforceable. Id. ¶ 14 (citing Brown & Brown, Inc. v. Mudron, 887 N.E.2d 437 (2008) ); see also Millard, 566 N.E.2d 379.

For most businesses, enforceability of such covenants turns on the concept of “consideration.” The current Illinois authority on “consideration” is Fifieldv. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 120327. In Fifield, the Illinois appellate court noted that Illinois courts have repeatedly held that there must be at least two years or more of continued employment to constitute “adequate consideration” in support of a restrictive covenant.  The court also clarified the process by adding that “Fifield [did not overrule or modify] Brown, which engaged in a fact-specific approach in determining consideration.

As a general rule, courts do not inquire into the adequacy of consideration. However, postemployment restrictive covenants are excepted from this general rule because “a promise of continued employment may be an illusory benefit where the employment is at-will.”  Most design businesses have at-will employees.

Fifield is equally important for both what it says and for what it does not. Clearly employment alone – any less than two years duration – is  NOT adequate consideration. However, the Fifieldcourt also stated that there could be other or additional factors such as an “added bonus in exchange for this restrictive covenant, more sick days, some incentives, [or] some kind of newfangled compensation,” that could be considered additional compensation that could support enforcement of the covenant.

Despite the recognition that the bar is set high for the amount of consideration necessary to enforce restrictive covenants, it makes sense to include them in your agreements with those who work for you.

In addition to the non-solicitation language, one should create a strong and broad definition of protectable proprietary and confidential information.  While it may not always be possible to stop a former employee from directly competing against you, it is possible to prevent said employee from using your own proprietary and confidential information against you.

 

Advertising, Contracts, Corporate Law, Entrepreneurs, Internet, Law, Privacy, Start-ups

Technology, Innovation and the Law

In today’s world, business is no longer about simply having an online presence. Digital business is transactional and social across platforms and networks across thew globe. The previous model of one-to-one transactional business relationships has evolved to one that is reciprocal, collaborative and highly interactive.

This new level of engagement is not without risks. As businesses expand into new online areas for marketing and commerce, businesses should be aware of a myriad of laws and risk areas implicated when one conducts business online. Business lawyers must be familiar with Technology Law.

There are a wide variety of services around the most common types of content and businesses need legal disclaimers, protection of intellectual property rights and other ways to limit liability.

Generally, the key areas and issues are:

Trade & Commerce Issues

  • Advertising & Promotions Laws (these vary by state)
  • Affiliate Marketing Agreements/Relationships
  • Federal Regulatory Guidelines
  • Industry Regulations & Guidelines
  • CAN-SPAM Act
  • Online Contracts/Terms of Use (Click-Wrap/Browse-Wrap Agreements)
  • Disclaimers
  • Limits of Liability
  • Sales & Taxation/Clarifying Nexus Confusion
  • Choice of Law/Forum
  • Insurance Law
  • Website Representations and Warranties

Intellectual Property Issues

  • Copyright & Digital Millennium Copyright Act
  • Defamation/Free Speech
  • Trademark Law
  • Unfair Internet Business Practices Such as Domain Name Hijacking & Cybersquatting
  • Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
  • Linking/Scraping/Crawling
  • Patent Law
  • Licensing
  • Trade Secrets

Privacy & Security Issues

  • Credit Cards / Transaction Processing
  • E-Payment and Credit Card Security/Privacy
  • Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
  • Data Breach Notification Laws
  • Data Privacy Laws

Human Resources & Employment Issues

  • BYOD & Computer Usage Guidelines for Employees
  • Employment and Labor Laws
  • Social Media Guidelines for Employees

We look forward to the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have regarding the range of business, technology and intellectual property services we offer. Our law office is based in Chicago, Illinois. Please feel free to call us at (866) 734-2568 should you have any questions.

Advertising, Branding, Business, Chicago, Contracts, Copyright, Creative Content, Ecommerce, Entrepreneurs, Infringement, interior design, Internet, Law, Litigation, Marketing, Ownership, Photography, Pinterest, Platforms, Restrictive Covenants, Small Business, Start-ups, Strategy, Trademarks, Twitter, Uncategorized

Advanced Issues in Contracts for Interior Designers

Every business transaction is governed by contract law, even if the parties don’t realize it. Despite the overwhelming role it plays in our lives, contract law can be incredibly difficult to understand.

Successful Interior Designers know how to manage the legal needs of the business while bringing a creative vision to life for a client or project. Confusion about rights, obligations, and remedies when things go wrong can strain and even ruin an otherwise promising professional relationship.

This program teaches new designers and entrepreneurs answers to some basic questions, such as:

  • What to do when clients / vendors / contractors don’t pay?
  • How can one use Indemnifications, Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability clauses to balance business risk when the parties may not be economically balanced?
  • What types of remedies are available and what are the limitations in scope for certain types of monetary and “equitable” remedies?

Take a deeper dive into advanced issues for interior design professionals. Learn how contracts can protect your design business and how to safeguard your rights.

Qualifies for .1 CEU credit.

This program was originally delivered on Aug. 17, 2017 at the Design Center at theMART 14th Floor Conference Center, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654