Business & Commercial

Starting a business on your own might not be something that you want to consider. A business partnership can give the owners shared resources and combined skills. This can help the business to thrive.  Some partnerships look amazing on the surface, but it’s critical...

Under a franchise agreement, a franchisee is allowed to operate a business using much of the intellectual property held by the franchisor. There can be significant benefits to doing this, such as the name recognition provided by using an established product or brand...

Running a business in Baltimore requires a sharp eye for detail. While you likely focus on pricing and deadlines, the fine print often contains "sleeper" clauses that dictate your company's future during a dispute. In Maryland, courts generally follow the objective...

Losing an employee to a competitor is a challenge that many businesses face. When several members of your senior team leave for the same competitor, it may point to a targeted effort rather than routine turnover. If you suspect that your employees are being poached,...

Running a business in Maryland comes with its fair share of challenges. When a legal dispute emerges, whether with a partner, vendor or competitor, it can quickly become more than just a nuisance. Understanding how these conflicts can limit your company's long-term...

Maryland is what is called an employment “at-will” state. As such, the idea of an employment contract may strike some people as a bit counter-intuitive. Depending on how they are drafted, a contract may limit a Maryland business’s legal right to terminate an employee...

In many instances, you’ll want to ensure you have a strong record that justifies an ultimate adverse employment action taken against a worker. Of course, there will always be instances where egregious action requires a swift response on your part, but if an employee...

Nuclear verdicts are jury decisions that award a civil plaintiff at least $10 million. Formerly rare enough to attract significant attention, and skepticism, nuclear verdicts are becoming more common and more significant. As a result, some have more recently used the...

So, you’re ready to embark on an entrepreneurial endeavor. As you do so, there’s a lot to think about, including the name of your business, where you’ll set up shop, who you’ll hire to help handle daily operations and what your marketing plan will look like. But...

Traditionally, contracts were signed with wet ink and in person. However, in our modern electronic age, many deals close with a click or a tap. And, for some, they wonder whether  those e-signatures carry the same legal weight as a wet-ink signature. Can e-signatures...