Law School for Business People

Keynote Speaker –Ryan Evans

Ryan Evans is the vice president of business and community relations for the Salt Lake Chamber, where he has been employed since 2003. Evans is responsible for the Chamber's relationships with its highest-level members, community development initiatives, and building collaborative relationships with other chambers and business associations throughout the state.

The accolades continue to roll in for Utah: We’re the best state for business and careers, the best managed state and we even have the nation’s swiftest commute. These things don’t just happen; they are the product of an engaged business community working closely with elected officials and other community organizations to make what Newsweek called “The Economic Zion.”

This presentation will provide insight on projects and policies over the last several years that have separated our state from the rest of the nation and walk through several current issues to watch in regard to small business.

Session One

Liability Law – Brad Tilt
Contract Landmines: avoiding the pitfalls.
Risk Management: a primer on tort liability.

An overview of the things that business people must know when entering into a contract. Various scenarios of business tort liability, legal elements of claims and discussion of practical strategies to limit liability.

Session Two

Employment Law – Joan Andrews
Hiring and firing considerations, employer liability, non-competition, non-solicitation and protection of trade secrets.

This session will cover the nuts and bolts of employment law for the small business owner including use of employees vs. independent contractors, basics of wage and hour law, and workers’ compensation law. Discussion of “at will” employment and exceptions, including review of anti-discrimination and leave laws such as ADA, ADEA, Title VII, USERRA and FMLA that can lead to employer liability. Discussion of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, and other means of protecting good will and/or trade secrets.

Session Three

Capital Acquisition – Jonathan Stagg
How to bring investors into your business – legally. Show me the money.

This session will discuss the practical and legal aspects of taking money from investors as a method of financing your business. This workshop takes you through the steps of making sure you are paid for goods or services, from initial contact with the customer through filing a lawsuit, judgment, execution and levy. How to sell stock ownership in your company to investors to raise money to finance your company’s growth.

Session Four

Litigation – Scott R. Sabey
How to win your small business claims lawsuit. Collecting receivables and alternative dispute resolution

The presentation will focus on how to avoid getting involved in litigation in the first place, when you should file a small claims lawsuit, how to file one, when to decide whether you need an attorney, what the pretrial conference involves, how to conduct the trial and how to collect on your judgment. This covers an overview of the important concepts and real world use of ADR including how it can be beneficial for small business conflict resolution.

Session Five

Going Into Business with Family and Friends – Victor Pollak
What you should know before working with close family or friends.

Things to consider if the need arises to involve friends and family on boards, as officers, employees or investors in closely held businesses. Possible solutions to the associated challenges will be explored.

Session Six

Basic Patent and Trademark Law for the Businessman – Scott Thorpe
Differentiate yourself in the marketplace and create barriers to entry for competitors.

This session features tips about patent and trademark law for new entrepreneurs and will give an overview of the essential elements of Intellectual Property Law for small businesses. Topics covered include: General IP Overview, Trademarks, Copyrights and Q & A.

Session Seven

Business Entity Law – Jess A. Cheney
Taxation perspectives of C-Corps, LLC's and Sole Proprietorships. What legal form is best for you.

An overview of the taxation implications of various legal forms to help entrepreneurs know they have chosen the legal form that minimizes their tax obligation. This is a discussion of the four popular legal forms for business, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation and Limited Liability Company. This includes an analysis of the appropriateness of each for various business types.

Session Eight

Asset Protection and Estate Planning – Jennifer E. Decker
Protect your personal assets isn't just a good idea – it is critical for the small business owner.

This session will focus on some basic asset protection and estate planning strategies to protect and preserve your wealth, including the proper use of insurance, real property deeding techniques, joint account liability, homestead and retirement asset exceptions, powers of attorney, wills and trusts, and other techniques. With the recent economic slowdown, many business owners found themselves unprotected, which put their businesses and personal assets at great risk and exposure. Come learn some techniques to protect your wealth before you earn it and to ensure it is preserved for you, your heirs and your beneficiaries for the long haul.