Blog for Florida Small Business
Our monthly blog provides useful information for the small business owner aimed at helping you build and protect your business.
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Negotiations: The Lifeblood of Business
Vendor RelationshipsMost people avoid negotiations. It’s understandable considering that many times negotiations are centered around a conflict. But that’s not always the case and avoiding…
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Who Needs Insurance and What’s the Big Deal?
Entity StructureAs an attorney for service providers, I often get asked about insurance coverage. “Is insurance really required?” “Why do I need it?”, or…
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Regulatory Compliance: Breaking It Down to Understand
Regulatory ComplianceRegulatory Compliance. Those words strike fear in every small business owner. Why? Because it’s so hard to know all the rules and…
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Case Studies on Legal Audits
Entity Structure, Regulatory ComplianceWhat do you worry about? Many worries can be put to rest if you know your business works on top of a…
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What are LLC’s? They’re not as simple as some may think!
Entity Structureou may have heard that LLC’s are the best entity structure for small businesses. Perhaps you’ve received advice to form an LLC…
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Legal World vs. Tax World: Do You Know the Difference?
MindsetWe all know that lawyers live in “Legal World” and accountants live in “Tax World” – but for business lawyers, we keep…
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Disorganization Causes Legal Problems
MindsetIt’s exhausting sometimes, I know. Being a small business owner is not for the weak-of-heart. There are a million things to do…
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The Annoyance of Employment Posters – Why does this have to be so difficult?
Worker RelationshipsAs an employer, I’m sure you are aware of the ever-growing rules related to employees. One of the most recent here in…
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Ownership Changes Part 3: Promoting an Employee
Owner RelationshipsThis is the third post in a series about the legal and technical ways that a new owner is added to a…
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Ownership Changes Part 2: Adding an Owner
Owner RelationshipsThis post is the second in a series addressing the legal and technical ways that a new owner is added to a…
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What’s more complicated than selling or buying a house? Selling or buying a BUSINESS!
Buying or Selling a BusinessWhen it comes time to sell your business, or if you’re buying a business, the process can seem very intimidating. It’s helpful…
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New Requirement for Businesses: There’s an update to Florida law for “new hire” reporting – and it now applies to independent contractors.
Regulatory ComplianceSection 409.2576, Florida Statutes – State Directory of New Hires Goes Into Effect on October 1, 2021 What does the payment of…
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Do you work from home? Do you have employees who work from home?
Regulatory ComplianceThere’s a new Florida law for “home-based” businesses. Section 559.955, Florida Statutes Effective July 1, 2021 As small business owners, it can feel…
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Breakups are Hard – Case Studies on Business Divorces
Owner RelationshipsBreakups are hard. Even ones that are smooth, well planned and everyone behaves, business partner breakups are emotionally draining. For those that…
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Do You Own It? Be sure you own it before you use it or sell it.
Intellectual Property100% of small businesses create some type of intellectual property. What does your business create? Do you know who owns those creations? …
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Half-Formed Companies – The Pitfalls of Not Setting It Up Right
StartupsDo you have a half-formed business entity? Far too many small business owners are in this position and here are the reasons…
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How Do You Love a Business You’re Just Starting?
StartupsYou may be starting a new business – or maybe you’re starting another business – and you’re feeling the overwhelm that is…
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What is a trademark? What are the benefits of having a registered trademark?
Intellectual PropertyTrademarks are designed to protect consumers from being taken advantage of or misled into thinking they are buying products and services from…
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Do you have a “front side” and a “back side”? Of your Client Service Agreement, I mean!
Client RelationshipsThere are (or should be) two sides to your “service agreement” – the contract you give your clients to sign when they…
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How Should Small Businesses Handle Work-From-Home Employees?
Worker RelationshipsWhether your business already has employees, or you are just starting to hire employees, many small business owners are concerned about having…
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I Have Insurance, Why Do I Need a Service Contract Too?
Client RelationshipsAs an attorney for service providers, most of whom are professionals, I often get asked about insurance coverage. I hear this one…
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How Do You Take Risks in Your Business?
MindsetAs a business attorney, I’ve had the honor of being on the “inside” of so many businesses over the years. I get…
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Starting a New Business the “Right” Way
Startups“Begin with the end in mind.” That’s a quote form Stephen Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People….
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What Do You Get When a Government Contractor Wants to Sell a Business?
Buying or Selling a BusinessWe recently finished an interesting project for a client who is a government contractor. For confidentiality purposes, we aren’t going to disclose…
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How Do I Scale My Service Business?
MindsetHow do I scale my service business? Eventually most service business owners ask themselves if they might be able to make more…
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Collaboration not Competition
MindsetWARNING! I’m on my soapbox! I run across people all the time that act as if the marketplace is a warzone, look…
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Online Legal Forms vs. Business Attorney Advice
MindsetOccasionally we meet with a business owner who brings us a contract they downloaded online. They ask us, “is this ok to…
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What You Need to Know About Leasing Office Space
Vendor RelationshipsIn recent news: Jacksonville’s struggle with the Landing spotlights the plight of local businesses and the importance of having a good lease….
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Why Can’t I Fire My Vendor?
Vendor RelationshipsThis can be a daunting task. Especially for service professionals who have a lot of education under their belts, it may seem…
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Confessions of a Serial Planner
MindsetIn January, many of us get out our pencils and start thinking. We begin sketching out a plan for the new year…
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Building Better Business Relationships
MindsetAs service businesses, we rely heavily on relationships. There are relationships on the “front” side with our clients and customers, but there…
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What Contracts Really Are = RELATIONSHIPS!
MindsetContracts are a part of every business, but they are especially important for service-based businesses. Most people dread contracts and think of…
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Employee Issues: 3 Items on My Must Focus List
Worker RelationshipsAs we’re growing our team here at The Legal Department, it reminds me how important it is to keep up with certain…
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End of Year Checklist for Service Businesses
Entity StructureHere we are at the end of the year, winding down and getting ready to enjoy the holidays. As business owners, this…
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Do You Really Need a Written Contract with Your Client?
Client Relationships5 Reasons Why the Answer is YES Most of our clients are businesses that offer specialized services, so we help them focus…
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Think Copyrights Only Apply to Artists and Authors? Think Again.
Intellectual PropertyDo you own the copyright to your website? How about your logo? Do your employees write articles or blog posts for you?…
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Crossing Borders in the Dis-United States
Regulatory ComplianceIt’s daunting to think that there are 50 sets of rules to follow in business. Each state in our country has its…
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Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?
MindsetOur office weathered a hurricane last year with absolutely no damage, but a recent severe rainstorm caused a flood and threatened to…
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Where Are the Keys?
Buying or Selling a BusinessYou’ve just bought a business. Your business broker has handled the negotiations of the essential deal terms and has probably also helped…
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Estate Planning vs. Succession Planning
Owner RelationshipsWe recently had a death in our family, and as a business owner, it has made me stop and think. Being an…
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Do You Mingle or Co-Mingle?
Entity StructureNo, it doesn’t “all come from the same place anyway”! The biggest legal implication when it comes to managing business finances is…
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The Case of Disappearing Shields
Entity StructureA quick check on Sunbiz.org will show you that small business owners are allowing their limited liability shields to disappear. Are you…
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The Break-Up: How to Keep it Simple
Owner RelationshipsWhat happens if your business partner comes to you and says he wants out of the business? What if he demands that…
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5 Steps to Buying a Small Business
Buying or Selling a BusinessBuying a business is both exciting and scary. It’s exciting because of all of the potential that you see and you’ve probably…
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I Learned My Lesson: Not Every Hat Looks Good On Me
MindsetHere’s the thing about business owners (myself included): we just need to get things done. We will dig in, figure things out…
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Do Co-Founders Need an Engagement Ring?
StartupsI was recently asked about a founder’s agreement for a new business before they incorporated so I thought this would be a…
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Are You Keeping Your Business Legally Healthy?
Entity StructureIt’s the start of a fresh, brand new year! This is the time to do a general assessment of your business progress…
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Understanding the Costs of Commercial Leases
Vendor RelationshipsWhen a small business owner is considering renting a commercial property (whether it’s an office, retail space or a warehouse), it’s important…
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The Importance of Being Written: The Operating Agreement
Owner RelationshipsOne thing I’ve drafted consistently throughout my years in practice has been Operating Agreements. I love them. They are so important to…
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5 Common Mistakes with Commercial Leases
Vendor RelationshipsAlmost all brick and mortar business owners have had to wrestle with a commercial lease. They are long and confusing and full…
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Does your Business use Independent Contractors?
Worker RelationshipsIf your business hires independent contractors, you should be aware of recent actions taken by the federal government and state governments. The…
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Ownership Changes Part 4: Key Terms
Owner RelationshipsIn the final post in this series, we’re going to discuss some key terms in an ownership agreement – called an “Operating…
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Ownership Changes Part 1: Taking On an Investor
Owner RelationshipsWith One Spark 2015 just around the corner, it’s a good time to think about what it means to add an owner…
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PROTECT THE DATA! More Regulations on Businesses
Regulatory ComplianceThe Florida legislature has decided to take a more aggressive approach to identity theft. A new law that went into effect on…
When my siblings and I were looking to start our own small business, we knew enough to know we needed professional help. The Legal Department ending... up being everything we didn’t know we needed. With their help being a flat fee, we were able to take our time and ask all the questions we wanted to ask, no matter how insignificant it may have been. And we had many. The team patiently answered our questions and tailored a business partnership that perfectly met our needs. I can’t thank them enough for all of their help. Everything was so easy from start to finish. I highly recommend them.read more
David Evangelista
The Legal Department is the friendliest law firm I have ever encountered. Anytime I have a project that I need Laurie and her team’s help on, the... process is always easy and straightforward. The flat fee structure allows me to know what I am getting for my investment up front, and I feel that the value is fair each and every time we work together. I trust the experience and knowledge of Laurie's firm. Everything is always explained so well and made clear and easy to understand. Being able to reach out over time and not feel intimidated to ask questions is so helpful as a business owner. Communication with the firm is always timely and thorough. I really enjoy working with The Legal Department – so much that I often recommend them to my own clients!read more
Diane Faulkner
Working with Laurie and her team at The Legal Department was smooth sailing from beginning to end. Once they had my information, they took the ball... and ran with it. I felt confident during the entire process that my interests were being protected and that the job was being done right. I love the up front flat fee structure because it left no surprises. As a small business owner, I was able to budget for what I was going to spend and had no anxiety about costs because they were shared with me at the very beginning before I signed on as a client. That transparency was so refreshing! The whole team has been so personable, I feel like I got more than my money's worth with the relationships I have built by working with them. I feel comfortable asking questions and I have learned so much as a business owner through being a client here. The team truly goes the extra mile for their clients and they've even connected me with other key business advisors I needed. I would 100% recommend The Legal Department to others. Laurie and her team has set the standard for how I want my business relationships to be from here on out. The Legal Department is top notch and I love the way they do business!read more
Ebonie Cosbert
Working the Laurie Lee and her team at The Legal Department eased a lot of my anxieties. The process was smooth and went quickly, they were able to... help me in a timely manner and made sure I understood the moving pieces along the way. The flat fee’s felt fair for what I received and I did appreciate knowing the pricing up front, it made the experience more comfortable and the positive experience with the team spoke to the value as well. Laurie was very knowledgeable in the details of my matter and took the time to explain things to me in a way that I could understand. The legal side of business can be very confusing if you don’t have the law background, so I really appreciated the willingness to answer questions. The team’s responsiveness and customer service were top notch. I would absolutely recommend The Legal Department to other small business owners.read more
Christie M
Laurie and Jena handled our business sale with professionalism. We were put at ease with the process. Top notch detail oriented customer service. ... Our first stop if we ever need anything again!read more
Jennifer Lee
I worked with Laurie and The Legal Department this past Fall. This group helped me sell my business in a speedy, efficient and professional way. I... felt I was cared for through the whole process. Reach out to them to discuss your situation, you will be very glad you did.read more
Val Matta
Laurie is a wonderful and knowledgeable Attorney who we highly recommend
Frank Tonuzi
I highly recommend Laurie Lee and The Legal Department. Laurie assisted with me with some aspects of starting a new business venture. She and her... team were very attentive and took the time to listen to my business goals and worked with me to develop a plan to achieve what I needed. Laurie and her team responded quickly to any questions I had and I could not be happier with the end result. I look forward to working with Laurie and The Legal Department in the future.read more
Antonia Uruski
It was beyond impressive the work The Legal Department conducted on my behalf. I would definitely recommend them to a friend or colleague in need of... an expert in their field.read more
Michael Harshman
I’ve been working with Laurie and her team for several years, and have had nothing but good experiences by using The Legal Department. Laurie is... the best in the business; hands down! She’s very passionate about what she does, she’s reasonable; she listens and truly cares about her clients. Laurie is very professional and knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.read more
First And Twelfth
I would highly recommend Laurie Lee and The Legal Department! The past few years Laurie has handled several legal transactions for me. Just recently... she professionally represented me in the sell of my business. She is incredibly knowledgeable, timely, and professional. The fees were upfront and clear with all expectations defined. Laurie also helps clients understand the legal language and educates so clients feel knowledgeable during the entire process.read more
Michelle Siner
Working with Laurie and her team at The Legal Department has been a truly effortless process. Simply being able to rely on them as the experts in... their field proved to be a very real advantage. It allowed me to continue moving forward with the business of doing what I do best knowing that each step of the process was completed accurately and correctly.The flat fee structure is certainly the preferred way of doing business. It allows the opportunity to define, plan and budget for the project and to stay in balance. Everything needed was included and, in turn, very well presented. The insight, the wisdom and the services provided are indeed an exceptional value. The team was always responsive and available to answer questions along the way.The professional connection Laurie and her team at The Legal Department have with their clients is top notch. The visual and legal presentation of the documents received was exceptional. I deeply appreciate the connection and the resource of Laurie and her team at the Legal DepartmentSimply stated, and well regarded, The Legal Department is the only firm I recommend for other small business owners.read more
OM Studios
Working with Laurie Lee and The Legal Department has been a pleasure! As a new business, we originally thought we could handle our projects on our... own but after consulting with the SBDC in Jacksonville we realized it was something we would need professional guidance for and were referred to Laurie and her team. What we especially appreciated was the flat fee model for pricing – knowing up front what our fees were going to be and being able to calculate them into our expenses was so helpful. We were quoted hourly fees from some other firms but we had no idea what the end number would be. The agreements that were drafted by Laurie were all professional and comprehensive for our needs. We found that she was patient with us as we learned the legal ropes and replied quickly to our questions or requests. We would absolutely recommend The Legal Department to other small businesses in Florida and we hope to work with them again ourselves on future legal needs!read more
Accounts MyPro
Using Laurie and her team to open my first business was a great decision! Throughout the process I always felt like I was important, my questions... were answered promptly, and the team was communicative and attentive to my needs. Everything felt streamlined and even when there was down time in between calls or meetings, it always felt like they were working on my project and keeping me up to date with the progress. I appreciated the transparency of the flat fee structure; this really took the stress off communicating with one another and left no surprises when it came to the financial commitment. I would definitely recommend The Legal Department to other small businesses! Laurie was knowledgeable and professional, but most of all she was genuine and caring. Great job all around!read more
Rolf Vonderheide
Wow! I can't say enough about the Laurie and The Legal Department. I used them to finalize contract negotiations when I sold my business. Every... step of the way I felt protected.Laurie was fair and reasonable; accommodating most of the time, but a pit-bull when needed! If you are selling a business, you can't do any better than this great team!read more
Gary D.
Nice and knowledgeable!
Tonisha Landry
I have worked with a handful of attorneys in the past few years. Laurie is fantastic! Very thorough and hands down runs she the most organized law... firm I have seen.read more
Rizzy Mallari
Laurie, was very professional and knowledgable. She has everything you need laid out in small digestible pieces. She made sense of the legal... situation for me.read more
Walk-in Wedding Chapel
Laurie was a great help and I look forward to working with her in the future.
Blair Gordon
Laurie and team helped us with our business, Flour + Fig Bakehouse, as we were preparing to grow and open a retail location. Very professional,... thorough, a pleasure to work with.read more
Kurt D'Aurizio
Great advice and knowledge of business law. They helped us setup our company and were always ready to answer any questions that came up along the... way.read more
Bo Kikendall
We are very fortunate to have her as our attorney. She had counseled us on important corporate initiatives and had provided thorough guidance on all... aspects of company formation, partnership agreements and other areas. Look forward to continuing our positive experience.read more
Triedata Inc
Great firm! We have utilized Laurie and her team several times over the last two years, always attentive and goes the extra mile to ensure a clear... understanding of our objectives.read more
Jim Satterwhite
I have worked with Laurie for a number of years and I must say that she understands law from a business persons perspective. Every time I have an... issue to discuss with her she not only discusses the legal aspects of the issue but she discusses the business ramifications. That is a rare quality in a legal firm. Understanding how a decision will affect our business helps us make the right decision for our firm. Thanks Laurie for all you do!read more
John Harman
Laurie helped us during the initial steps of setting up our corporation and with our lease review process. It is good to have someone to turn to... that knows all the bases you need to cover. She is always attentive and available and demonstrates true regards toward your business.read more
SightHealth Primary Eyecare
We have worked with Laurie on HR related forms and other matters and she has been wonderful. It has been extremely nice to know prices before... starting a project; it’s nice to ask a question without worrying about how much I’m about to add to my bill. Have recommended her firm to others and will continue to do so.read more
John E
My experience with Laurie Lee was nothing short of awesome. She has assisted me with multiple business matters. She is knowledgeable and easily... accessible, both of which are important to me. I have already recommended her to others.read more
Cindy Lasky
Laurie and her team have been a great and trusted resource for our company. They offer the ideal services and rates for small businesses and really... care about their clients. Hire them without hesitation!read more
Joe Sampson
Laurie is a wonderful attorney who knowledgeable in business law.
Debra Hill
