A trademark is a symbol, word, phrase, logo, or design that identifies and distinguishes a business’s products or services from those of others. Obtaining a trademark can help protect your brand and prevent others from using similar marks that could confuse or deceive your customers. There are several types of trademarks available, each with its...

Buying, selling, financing, and developing commercial property can be daunting if not properly managed. There are numerous steps that must be completed before any transaction is finalized. Additionally, there are dozens of laws and regulations that must be followed for the process to be valid. A commercial real estate attorney can guide you through these...

Minority entrepreneurs are instrumental in driving economic growth and community development. By creating jobs and providing goods and services that meet the unique needs of their communities, these businesses contribute to the overall prosperity of Wisconsin. They play a pivotal role in fostering diversity, innovation, and inclusivity within the state’s business landscape. While minority-owned businesses make...

Intellectual property (IP) refers to intangible creations of the human mind that have commercial value. It encompasses various forms of creative works, including inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs. Four primary types of IP rights exist: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Intellectual property rights play a crucial role in fostering...

A NIL contract, also known as a Name, Image, and Likeness contract, is an agreement between a student-athlete and a third party that allows the athlete to profit from their name, image, and likeness. These contracts have become a hot topic in college sports due to recent changes in NCAA regulations. Before the NIL rules...

A corporate bylaw is the set of rules that govern the internal operations of a corporation.  Every corporation should have an Articles of Incorporation, sometimes called a certificate of incorporation in other states, and bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation is filed with the state’s secretary of state or other official body responsible for registering corporations,...

As businesses continue to innovate, they have used technology to make it easier than ever for customers to sign up for services or purchase goods through the internet.  Many business and consumer contracts are executed online, via e-signature or, in many cases, through the click of a button. Though these express contracts are often challenged...

Tort law covers a range of misconduct such as personal injuries, negligence, and malpractice. They are put in place to relieve injured parties from harm caused by other individuals or businesses. A business tort is a wrongful act committed against a business entity, either intentionally or due to negligence/recklessness, that causes a loss to a...

While the “owners” of a publicly traded company have the benefit of selling their shares at any time and for any reason, minority shareholders of closely held companies generally do not have the same flexibility. In closely-held ventures, there is no shortage of potential issues that could arise between minority and majority shareholders. From issues...