BizLaw 101 Blog

In 2024, Companies Have to Share More Information with the Government

Posted February 9, 2024 by Donald J. Carswell, Jr. (“DJ”) in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

With the rise in financial crimes and money laundering and the increasingly problematic use of “shell companies” to commit these crimes and wrongdoings, the Government decided to take action.  In 2021, Congress passed legislation which included the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which requires certain business entities to file a Beneficial Owner Information Report (“BOI Report(s)”)

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Navigating Antitrust Laws: How Small Businesses Set Their Prices May Seem Harmless But Can Be Dangerous

Posted January 4, 2024 by Jamie Kent Hamelburg in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

To small business owners, antitrust laws may feel irrelevant and as though they only apply to industry giants. While headlines often highlight cases involving corporate juggernauts such as Amazon in its 2021 and 2022 price-fixing lawsuits or Google and Facebook, antitrust laws apply to businesses of any size. A Southeastern antitrust case from the early 1980s, for example, involved numerous small road construction contractors but is one of the most significant U.S. antitrust cases to date. This case is a stark reminder that antitrust laws have wide application. They apply to small enterprises, like corner coffee shops and neighborhood bookstores.  

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Why Do So Many People Get HIPAA Wrong? 

Posted August 16, 2021 by Jamie Kent Hamelburg and Julia Cronin in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

HIPAA is not a difficult law to understand but it is one of the most misunderstood laws, often resulting in unfortunate consequences. If you’ve ever wondered whether someone is misusing HIPAA and incorrectly preventing the disclosure of health information, you may be correct. 

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Can Employers Require Workers to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 As Workplaces Reopen?

Posted June 28, 2021 by Jamie Kent Hamelburg in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

As businesses reopen and employees return to the jobsite, a pressing question for employers is whether they can legally require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A recent court case in Texas answers this question as “yes," which indicates a court in Maryland, DC, and Virginia likewise would allow COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

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COVID-19's Impact On Landlords and Tenants Still Unfolding

Posted September 26, 2020 by Jamie Hamelburg, Janell Wheeler, and other members of the team at Press, Dozier & Hamelburg in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

COVID-19 has significantly impacted both landlords and tenants alike, and the full effects are still not yet known. Our blog contains important information about the effect of the pandemic on commercial leases, reviews remedies that both landlords and tenants might have, and suggests strategies in response to the pandemic.

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Steps for Virginia Small Businesses to Take During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted April 10, 2020 by in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

We hope that you are well. We know this is a challenging time for all of you—personally as well as professionally. To help you navigate the unique issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve identified three action items all small business owners should be taking. We hope you will find them useful in this complex and rapidly changing environment.  Like many of you, our attorneys and staff are now working remotely. If you need any follow-up assistance on these or any other matters, we’re just a phone call or email away. Our contact information is at the end of this communication.

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Steps for Maryland Small Businesses to Take During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted March 30, 2020 by Kathleen B. Asdorian, Jamie Kent Hamelburg, Janell F. Wheeler in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog

We hope that you are well.  We know this is a challenging time for all of you—personally as well as professionally. To help you navigate the unique issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve identified three action items all small business owners should be taking. We hope you will find them useful in this complex and rapidly changing environment.  Like many of you, our attorneys and staff are now working remotely. If you need any follow-up assistance on these or any other matters, we’re just a phone call or email away.

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Thinking of Investing in Real Estate?

Posted August 6, 2019 by in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog, Business Publications, Real Estate Publications

If you are a small business owner, at one time or another you have probably considered buying an improved property to house your business. The idea of no longer having a landlord to deal with or imagining a grand investment may make it seem enticing, but there are important legal considerations a small business owner should evaluate before purchasing property.

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Make Sure You Know Which Licenses Apply to Your Business

Posted October 12, 2018 by Jamie Kent Hamelburg in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog, Business Publications

Starting a new business requires not just a great idea; it also involves an understanding of the maze of licenses required before a business can open its doors. With some careful attention to licensing requirements, business owners can operate successfully and profitably without running afoul of licensing requirements.

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Time’s Up! Tips on How to Avoid Sexual Harassment Liability in the Workplace

Posted February 6, 2018 by Jamie Hamelburg in Articles & Publications, BizLaw 101 Blog, Business Publications

It seems that every week there are new and salacious reports of sexual misconduct, which have sparked the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. A common thread in the news reports has been that the misconduct occurred in the workplace, with higher-ups demanding sexual favors of employees and creating a hostile work environment. 
Sexual harassment not only subjects the wrongdoer to potential criminal or civil liability, it also poses risks for employers who may have looked the other way and tolerated unlawful behavior. NBC is a good case in point; it has come under fire for its handling of the multiple sexual harassment claims brought against news anchor Matt Lauer.
Companies can, and should, take steps to prevent their workplaces from becoming the type of environment where sexual harassment festers.

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