Pat Shriver and Adam Brown analyze the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which became effective on January 1, 2024. The CTA is a federal law that includes new reporting requirements applicable to almost any business registered or doing business in the United States. Pat and Adam discuss the history and purpose of the CTA, how it works, what needs to be reported, and who needs to report. They also talk about deadlines, beneficial ownership information, company applicants, exemptions, civil and criminal penalties, potential strategies for tracking and compliance, updating reports, ongoing requirements, and more.Pat confirmed that we do not need to panic, but every organization needs to be aware of the CTA and analyze whether they need to file a report. This can be a rather complicated analysis, and it is probably something most organizations should discuss with their legal advisors soon.

In this episode, Nate Snyder and Adam Brown discuss copyrights in detail. Nate explains copyright law basics, common misconceptions, copyright registration, enforcement, infringement and defenses, and the strategic and financial decisions that are often involved with copyright issues. The team also discusses licensing, artificial intelligence, copyright "trolls," and strategies if you receive a cease-and-desist letter. Copyright issues can be complicated, and it is always a good idea to consult legal counsel when they arise.

In this episode, Nate Snyder and Adam Brown are joined by Natolie Hochhausen and V. John Ella, who are attorneys in FMJ's HR & Employment Law Practice Group. The team discusses Minnesota's new statewide sick and safe time law, which takes effect on January 1, 2024. Topics include employees that are covered, exceptions (or a lack thereof) for employers, application, accrual and tracking methods, changes to policies and handbooks, interaction between this new law and current PTO and attendance policies, necessary language and handbook and policy changes to consider, administrative changes and issues, lingering questions, and more. In addition, Natolie and John briefly touch on a number of the other Minnesota HR and Employment Law changes, such as legalized cannabis and the new ban on non-compete agreements/clauses. Stay tuned to hear more about those other new laws in future episodes.There have been so many changes in HR and Employment Law in Minnesota. Please check our website for additional information, and check in with employment counsel soon to ensure that your organization is making the correct changes.

In this episode, Nate Snyder and Adam Brown are joined by FMJ Law's sports and entertainment externs, Hallie Cooper and Meredith Lavine!The team discusses externship programs and experiential learning opportunities for law students, starting a career in sports and entertainment law (and the variety of different career paths available), current events and issues the team is tracking in the arena of sports and NIL, emerging and evolving women's professional leagues, and new laws regarding sports agents that are gaining traction around the country.

In the final installment of our three-part primer series on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), Nate Snyder and Adam Brown spoke with Professor David Grenardo from the University of St. Thomas School of Law to discuss NIL and to see where Professor Grenardo believes NIL is headed in the future. Professor Grenardo is one of the leading scholars examining NIL and its surrounding issues, and he shares his thoughts and opinions regarding the next steps for NIL, including possibilities such as pay-for-play models, a free-market system, unionization, and revenue sharing. Professor Grenardo also discusses collectives, scholarships, the transfer portal, and the potential effects of a pay-for-play type of system on the structures in place in college athletics. Professor Grenardo talks about some of the policy considerations involved, both positive and negative, with NIL and its continued evolution, including the potential for exploitation of student-athletes, contract considerations and concerns, the potential impact on youth sports, opportunities for student-athletes to receive increased financial benefits, and the potential gains for sports, schools, and/or student-athletes at the margins. In addition, Professor Grenardo highlights some of the potential legislation, pending cases, and other things to watch for in the NIL arena (pun intended). Thank you to Professor Grenardo for joining us for this very interesting conversation!

Nate Snyder and Adam Brown discuss intellectual property basics this week. Essentially, Nate teaches Adam IP 101, including trademark, copyright, patent law, and even a bit about trade secrets. Nate also outlines the registration processes, gives examples from each category, and outlines some of the enforcement strategies and options. Nate and Adam also discuss potential IP implications as AI becomes more prevalent, along with the potential response to these changes (such as the new FAIR Act that has been proposed). This episode is a great introduction to intellectual property law and the considerations/decisions that should be top of mind for businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators.

Nate Snyder and Adam Brown sit down with Matt Quammen to discuss cyber security topics, issues, and tips. Matt is the President and Co-Founder of Optimize Cyber, which is working at the cutting edge of cyber security, technology, and risk management. Matt addresses the common fears and concerns that are often associated with cyber security, and he does a nice job of explaining complicated topics in an accessible way.Matt, Nate, and Adam discuss the importance of educating your team about potential threats and attacks. And, perhaps more importantly, Matt highlights the importance of supporting and encouraging increased awareness and reporting of potential threats and attacks. The group also talks about the types of attacks and strategies bad actors are using, wire fraud, cyber insurance, and the wide variety of strategies available to help protect data, finances, and more. In addition, Nate discusses some of the legal services FMJ can provide to clients in the cyber security space. The good news is that there are a number of affordable and accessible steps businesses and individuals can take today to help improve their cyber security.

Nate Snyder and Adam Brown sit down to talk about Name Image Likeness (NIL) issues in college athletics. This episode is the second part of a series on NIL, and Nate breaks down the "current events" in NIL, including a detailed discussion about collectives, the way collectives operate, the lawsuit around EA Sports bringing back its college sports games, NIL positives for students, concerns about NIL and collectives, tax questions that are emerging, and an introduction to some of the media rights issues that are on the horizon.

Attorney Josh Damberg from FMJ's Trusts & Estates Practice Group joined Adam Brown to talk about estate planning topics that new professionals and people just starting their estate planning journey should be thinking about. It is never too early to start planning! Josh outlines some of the reasons to start planning now, and he discusses the basics such as wills, trusts, health care directives, and power of attorney. Josh explains to Adam what happens if there is no estate plan in place, and Josh dispels some of the myths about probate. Josh also talks about estate planning topics involving children and guardianship, beneficiary designation, buying property, digital assets and accounts, student loans, and even estate planning for your pets! Note: the producers are fairly positive that should something happen to Adam, Josh accepted custody of Adam's dog, Madison.

Rob Fafinski and Adam Brown discuss Price Escalation Clauses in contract drafting.Rob outlines the types of Price Escalation Clauses available, the reasons to use them, strategies for successful utilization and implementation, and the ways that these clauses can be beneficial for both manufacturers and their customers. Rob and Adam discuss the Manufacturing Practice Group at FMJ and the great work that team is doing. They also talk about Barbenheimer, kid germs, and Napoleon before getting back on track to discuss the appeal of these types of price escalation arrangements for business buyers and sellers, and Rob gives Adam an economics lesson about just-in-time fulfillment.