He had that look. That look that he was busy, rich and important. I could tell from the moment I walked into the plane that he thought he should be flying alone and certainly not in coach. He glared as each passenger walked down the aisle. We mere mortals were apparently holding him up from something important. I was inclined to give the man the benefit of the doubt. After all, I’ve had bad days and bad flights. As I tried to stuff my briefcase into the overhead compartment, I tossed some light joke across the aisle to break the tension. While one gentleman got up to help me, the oh-so-important... (Read More ...)
The terms of the lease will bind the parties for a considerable period of time and it is important, therefore, to carefully draft the lease up front. Also, often times, when the lease term is coming to an end and the parties want to negotiate an extension of the lease term, landlords are tempted to just amend the lease time and time again to extend the term. Certainly that is the quickest method to keep the lease going, but after a series of amendments, the underlying (original lease) may be 10 years or older. It may well be time to engage counsel, reevaluate the lease, and be sure it meets current-day... (Read More ...)
When purchasing your first home, you viewed the home, submitted a contract, obtained financing, and attended closing. Four steps and you completed the most significant single acquisition of your life. Would you follow those same steps to acquire another home? With the second-and third-time buyer market consisting of $500,000-$700,000 (and greater) homes, I hope your answer is “No.” Like it or not, with such value, you are now in the “business” of real estate, and residential transactions should be completed with the same thoroughness as the acquisition of commercial property. Residential... (Read More ...)
Business owners find themselves pondering a sale of their business for many reasons. Sometimes, it is because they really had not considered or developed a secession plan and, as they near retirement, a sale of the business can be a good and profitable option. In other cases, a secession plan has been developed, but just doesn’t work out. For instance, the owner’s children or other principals of the business decide they wish to pursue a different career. Sales of businesses are also contemplated as a result of bids for the business from a competitor or larger company. You may ask, why... (Read More ...)
From Shakespeare to Jay Leno, lawyers are the subject jokes. According to the jokes, lawyers are unprincipled, lawyers over bill and lawyers too often tell clients what the client already knew. The truth is that some lawyers fall within this stereotypical characterization. Run away from these attorneys as fast as you can! There is another group of attorneys, however, who you need. These lawyers are advocates for you when you are in trouble, counselors for you when you have difficult decisions to make and experts who know the intricacies of the law. These lawyers are ones you should seek out and hire... (Read More ...)
