News

Crowdfunding is a method of funding ventures, projects or good causes through contributions from a large number of people. Typically, contributions are solicited via the Internet using a “platform,” a third party that brings the...

Most people are looking to get ahead on the job, and attorneys and other legal professionals are no different. But there are certain behaviors that can work to the detriment of those in the legal field and delay or destroy their chances of...

Many a Millennial has likely cringed at their parent’s bumper sticker: “I’m spending my kids’ inheritance!” One in four American parents is doing exactly that, according to a new study. They plan to spend all of the...

A major strategy of global companies is to build company and shareholder value through acquisition. In fact, according to consulting firm Bain, 90 percent sustained value creators (SVCs) – companies that grow at least 5.5 percent annually...

Parties embarking on merger or acquisition negotiations necessarily must share confidential information so they can accurately evaluate the prospects for a deal. Confidentiality agreements – also called confidential disclosure agreements or...

Dividend reinvestment plans offer advantages to investors, but the disadvantages should be considered. Commonly called DRIPs, these plans allow shareholders to buy stock directly from a company or from the company’s transfer agent. The...

More attorneys are working remotely than ever before, to the point that some firms no longer have a brick-and-mortar office. With the increased availability of mobile devices and cloud computing that allows them to work anywhere, anytime, many...

Would you be surprised to learn that most business owners don’t know the value of their own businesses? More than half of business owners have never had their company valued and don’t anticipate doing so, research shows, and many...

Attorneys who use forensic accountants are familiar with the analysis and testimony an expert can provide in matrimonial cases, commercial disputes, lost profits claims, criminal and civil cases, and many other types of litigation. Typically,...

In a perfect world, a business valuation would be a totally objective assessment of a company’s worth. But many factors can influence the outcome, including parties involved and the purpose of the valuation. That type of bias might be...

Salaries have not returned to pre-recession levels, according to a new Robert Half Legal survey on hiring, but many firms are willing to increase salaries to attract the right legal talent. Better benefits, flexible scheduling, telecommuting and...

In a matrimonial proceeding, a forensic accountant is an invaluable member of a valuation team working to determine a fair and equitable settlement, particularly if a business is involved. A forensic accountant can help negotiate or litigate a...

Discussing estate planning concerns with an aging parent or relative and putting affairs in order can ease the process when incapacity or death becomes a reality. A document that should be in place is a healthcare directive that provides...

No business is perfect. Some liabilities or poorly performing assets are obvious and stated – debts and payables, uncollectable accounts receivable, obsolete equipment and warranty agreements. How the sale is structured will determine the...

You’ve made the decision to sell. How can you get the most for your business? It probably won’t be by putting it on the market as is, unless you’re one of the fortunate few who sell at the lifecycle peak. Too many owners wait...

The collection includes artwork by many famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Jackson Pollock and Henry Moore, to name a few. The question was how much a partial interest in the art collection of Houston millionaire James A....

There are two kinds of probate at death: intestate and testate. An intestate probate proceeding means that the decedent had no legal last will and testament at the time of death. The attorney for the estate must file legal documents with the...

When it comes to relevant evidence in an income tax evasion case, is there a statute of limitations? Chet Lee West found out the hard way that there isn’t. You cannot suppress evidence, claiming it was barred under the six-year statute of...

Appraising a business can be approached from a number of different directions, including book value of assets, capitalized income and discounted future earnings. One practical step to take, especially when selling a small business, is to look at...

There are many reasons why estate planning is important. No one likes to confront their own mortality, and deciding what will be done with your assets upon your death isn’t the most pleasant of subjects. That may be the reason that as many...