In both business and legal situations, being asked to sign a confidentiality agreement or nondisclosure agreement (NDA) is becoming increasingly common. Certain information about the company’s business, its finances and its operations needs to be legally protected to ensure the company keeps its competitive advantage. NDAs are used to protect such sensitive information. What’s an [...]
RADON MITIGATION isn’t usually top of mind when builders plan to build a house or when home sellers put out their “For Sale” sign. It’s not visible or noticeable to the average person, but it’s real and it’s ubiquitous. Iowa is prone to high levels of radon, an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that naturally occurs [...]
Construction professionals who understand basic contract terms are less at risk of agreeing to poorly written contracts. By better understanding their own contracts, Contractors can spot where negotiation is possible, make changes to clarify, or add protection. This article highlights potential negotiating points and briefly explains important contract provisions. Scope of Work/ Plans and Specs [...]
With the most recent election season behind us and cyberattack investigations underway, cyberspace creates a new frontier for applying existing privacy laws. Small businesses are increasingly targeted for cyberattacks and cybersecurity for small businesses is different than in years past when a company only had to worry about protecting desktop computers and locally stored files. [...]
Several employers prepared communication plans and made final arrangements for compensation modifications in an effort to comply with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule, which was set to go into effect on December 1, 2016. On November 22, 2016, the DOL’s new rule was preliminarily blocked on a nationwide basis by the U.S. [...]
Iowa is on the cusp between fall and winter. It is this mixed cold weather that brings new snow and ice that will soon melt, thaw, and refreeze. And, of course, with refreezing comes an increased risk of falling due to slippery surfaces. What can you do to protect your business from a personal injury [...]
Have an idea for a new business? With all the energy and optimism to drum up new customers, launch a website, and build the first prototype, it’s easy to put off getting your legal ducks in a row. These 9 easy steps will help you avoid pitfalls down the road and help you scale your [...]
With marijuana legalization spreading, employers are starting to rethink about substance abuse polices and testing. According to a survey conducted by Mashable.com, 9.7% of Americans smoke marijuana before going to work. Surprised? In Iowa, if you’re in the private sector, drug and alcohol testing is optional and an employer can even make it a condition [...]
Sullivan & Ward, P.C. Shareholder, Samantha Gronewald, has recently graduated from the West Des Moines Leadership Institute (“WDMLI”). Now in its 8th year, WDMLI has seen over 300 community leaders go through the program. The West Des Moines Chamber’s leadership program is centered on creating leaders through community training and leadership development. Class members attend [...]
In today’s challenging environment, being a director on the board for a for-profit business, a nonprofit organization, or a homeowner’s association can be difficult, even for experienced leaders. During difficult financial times, directors and officers and their actions are likely to be under increased scrutiny. Because hindsight is always 20/20, it’s important to know what [...]
