Law Blog

Trademark infringement occurs when someone uses a mark that is confusingly similar to another party’s registered or common law trademark in connection with related goods or services. The key issue is whether consumers are likely to be misled into thinking the goods or services come from the same source. What Constitutes Infringement? Not every similar mark is i...

Every professional knows the feeling. You’re staring at a complex negotiation, facing a high-stakes client meeting, or preparing for a board meeting that could make or break your company’s future. Anxiety creeps in like fog, clouding your judgment and freezing your decision-making process. But there is an antidote to professional anxiety – it’s purposeful a...

Registering and protecting a trademark involves more than just filing paperwork. Many businesses make costly errors that could lead to rejection, enforcement issues, or even the loss of rights. Here are some of the most common trademark mistakes—and how to avoid them. 1. Failing to Conduct a Proper Search One of the most frequent—and avoidable—mistakes is s...

Registering a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides significant legal benefits, including nationwide protection and the presumption of ownership. Federal registration is a smart investment for most businesses. Here is a breakdown of the key steps in the trademark registration process. 1. Preliminary Clearance Search Before filing, i...

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design—or a combination of these—that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others. Essentially, a trademark is your brand’s identity in the marketplace. It allows consumers to recognize and trust the products or services you offer. Trademarks can include business nam...

Planning for Generations As an estate planning attorney, a question I am frequently asked is, “How can we make sure the family cabin, ranch, or rental property stays in the family?” Real property carries deep sentimental and financial value—but without a solid plan, it can just as easily become a source of conflict or be lost altogether. What are the Challe...

Unscrambling the Egg: Operating Agreement Provisions for Member Withdrawal, Retirement, and Expulsion What: Learn about common circumstances of member dissociation.  Topics include:  Different ways to value companies;  Impact the valuation method will have on a Member’s withdrawal, retirement or expulsion;  Exemplar operating agreement provisions to...

We all struggle in business and life, trying to carve a path and do our best. A lot of us feel guilty about taking time for ourselves and following our interests. Spending time “just reading” articles that seemed tangentially related to your industry, or tinkering with ideas that might never amount to anything concrete can feel like a waste of time. This reveal...

I had coffee with a managing partner last week who made an observation that stuck with me. He said he could predict which attorneys in his firm would become rainmakers by watching how they treated the receptionist, the mailroom staff, and the cleaning crew. It wasn’t about their legal skills or their pedigree from prestigious law schools. It was about something f...

Constant and deliberate education remains the ultimate appreciating asset. Education is not a one-time transaction but rather a flower that requires ongoing nurturing, attention, and care to fully bloom. The more you learn, the more opportunities you will create for yourself and continue to grow. The most successful business leaders understand that knowledge acqui...