In the business world, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in shaping the growth and success of companies. However, navigating the complexities of M&A transactions requires expertise and guidance from seasoned professionals. Our Massachusetts business law attorneys are dedicated to providing insightful assistance in M&A activities. As a small business owner or as […]
Business Law
Fiduciary Fraud 101
Fiduciary Fraud: An Abuse of Trust Our legal system appoints fiduciaries to ensure the interests of those who cannot act on their own behalf are represented. When this trust is violated, the consequences can have tremendous financial and legal implications. In this article, we will review what a fiduciary is, how a fiduciary can commit […]
The Risks and Rewards of Sole Proprietorship: Why You Need a Trusted Lawyer Even If You Do Not Incorporate
The Golden Age of DIY We live in a golden age of DIY. Thousands of video tutorials can teach you any skill. If you are looking to learn in a more structured way, you can select an online degree from a dizzying array of choices. The dream of being your own boss has, for so […]
Options for Incorporating Your Massachusetts Small Business
You know your business better than anyone else: whether that be dog-walking, catering, or custom-made crocheted goods. But when it comes to giving your business the best legal footing, you may feel a little lost. In this article, we will review a few business structures available to Massachusetts entrepreneurs and small business owners. Each has […]
Doing Business in the New Normal: What Business Owners Need to Know About Asking for Employees’ and Customers’ Vaccination Status
In the Balance Between Safety and Privacy, Federal and State Laws Favor Safety As the world enters a “new normal”—a society which is not quite post-pandemic, but which seems to be through the worst of COVID-19—business owners face the new challenge of protecting employees and customers now that vaccines are widely available, and masks are […]
When Does a Text Message Become a Contract?
Group Chats, Emoticons, and Breach of Contract: When Does a Text Message Become a Contract? New Technologies, Established Obligations New media and technology have transformed the way we do business as compared not only to twenty years ago, but even as compared to ten or five years ago. Emails, social media posts, and even text […]
Verbal Contracts: Are They Enforceable in Massachusetts?
Is Your Word Your Bond? Our parents taught us to be people of our word—to mean what we say and say what we mean. For most situations in life, it is enough to give your word to enter into an agreement—from who will take out the trash this week to where to meet for dinner. […]
Sole Proprietorship: The Good, the Bad, and the Legal Reality
What Dreams Are Made of? Being your own boss is a dream for many. It is also a pleasant daydream to many more stuck in stifling offices or unfulfilling careers. In addition to freedom from an unsympathetic supervisor’s requirements, owning a business appeals to so many because of the opportunity for greater creative expression in […]
Which Incorporation Is Best For You: Comparing LLPs and LLCs
If you are a small business owner, or considering starting your own business, it has always been important to know your options for incorporation. The uncertainty and financial stresses of COVID-19 and the subsequent recession make decisions about incorporation even more important. In this article, we will review two common types of incorporation for small […]
What are my Massachusetts business income tax obligations?
How a business is taxed depends in part on the business’s legal form. The five most common types of Massachusetts businesses include corporations, S corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Most states subject corporations to a corporate income tax. In contrast, pass-through entities such as S corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietorships […]