Law
Every manager today knows that we have to know the laws of business in order to avoid infringing on others' (including employees, competitors, customers, and more) rights and privileges. Law also tells us how formal negotiations, arbitration and collective bargaining must be carried out. This section provides the modern manager with the basic tools to manage within the law.
Index of topics in "Law"
Ideas to Assets: A Practical Guide to Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks
Starting a Business: A Practical Guide to Choosing a Business Entity, Adopting a Trademark, and Understanding Business Contracts
Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements
The Arbitration Process
Collective Bargaining Issues
Civil Rights Acts (Race, sex, age and disability discrimination)
Major EEO Laws and Regulations
Employment Law
Ideas to Assets: A Practical Guide to Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks
(Half Day)
In today’s competitive business environment, innovations in business operations and in products or services often distinguish one competitor from the rest. Obtaining exclusive rights to such innovations is the most important step in achieving valuable competitive advantages. Even if such rights are not yet considered necessary, steering clear of a competitor’s exclusive rights is just as important. This seminar will provide a thorough overview of the three primary forms of intellectual property … patents, copyrights and trademarks. Participants will learn what types of subject matter qualify for each form of intellectual property protection; for example, participants will be able to understand what innovations are patentable, and appreciate the legal rights that a patent gives the owner. Besides learning what preliminary actions will best preserve the ability to obtain the exclusive rights, participants will learn the procedures and costs for pursuing each form of intellectual property protection. Topics include:
• Overview of types of protection of intellectual property – Different strokes for different folks
• Costs for pursuing intellectual property protection
• Federal registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Violations of intellectual property rights
• Trade Secret protection
• And more
Starting a Business: A Practical Guide to Choosing a Business Entity, Adopting a Trademark, and Understanding Business Contracts
(Half Day)
Before opening for business, make sure that the business is on the most firm legal footing possible. Different circumstances dictate different choices between the traditional business entities … corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. This seminar will provide a pragmatic comparison of those business entities, and then teach the basics for adopting a business name that will be protectable without encroaching upon a competitor’s trade name. Participants will also receive a thorough overview of basic business contract law. Topics will include:
• Corporate entities
• Limited Liability entities
• Partnership entities
• Protecting your good name
• Basics of Contract Law
Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements
(Half Day)
Business success and competition today rely heavily upon the acquisition and upgrading of both technology and competent personnel. Simply put, both are valuable assets of a business, which demand maintenance and protection. The departure of either, especially to a competitor, may deal a double-fisted blow to a business enterprise. As a preventive measure, it is important to engage in advance planning to devise and implement measures to coordinate the timing and amount of exposure of particular employees to sensitive business assets such as trade secrets (or other proprietary information or technology), and to prevent their departure along with the departure of such personnel.
Agreements containing confidentiality and non-competition provisions should be executed by employees at the commencement of employment, especially if an employee may eventually have access to sensitive business information. Moreover, means must be in place to monitor compliance with the confidentiality measures. This short course will discuss the value of Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements and identify the situations in which they should be considered in your business.
The Arbitration Process
(Full Day)
Handling arbitration, both for contractual matters and employment matters, is a crucial aspect of any major company today. Successful companies have learned how to use this alternative legal format in an effective and efficient manner. It need not be a difficult or fearful process. Our seminar is designed to provide you the necessary skills to:
• Understand the legal standards for arbitration
• Prepare for a successful arbitration
• Gather and handle credible evidence
• Understand how contract terms are interpreted in arbitration
• Prepare and present credible testimony, and
• Learn how to use arbitration to your advantage
Collective Bargaining Issues
(Full Day)
Industrial relations is the interdisciplinary field of study concentrating on employees, groups of employees and employers and the environment in which these parties interact. One of the important aspects of industrial relations is collective bargaining. Preparing for bargaining requires a strategic framework through which a company works to insure effective outcomes and continued operations. Our seminar provides tools for companies to move through this framework by instructing how to:
• Develop a strategy in advance
• Anticipate the other side’s positions and reactions
• Learn the law governing collective bargaining
• Understand the dynamics of the negotiation process and table tactics
• Handle difficult issues that arise during bargaining, and
• Handle situations that may develop if bargaining breaks down.
Civil Rights Acts (Race, sex, age and disability discrimination)
(Full Day)
No issue dominates and fills up state and federal courts more than laws governing the various forms of employment discrimination. It is without doubt one of the more frustrating aspects of any human relations department. Our seminar examines legal theories under those civil rights acts, such as Title VII, ADA and FMLA, that affect employment, including discrimination and harassment based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, age, and disability. Through this extensive course, you will learn to:
• Analyze race discrimination claims under Title VII and other Civil Rights Acts
• Understand the examine the various theories of sex discrimination, including such issues as pregnancy discrimination and issues associated with employee benefits designs and equal pay
• Handle issues involving sexual and other types of harassment, including learning the Supreme Court's new standards and effective ways to prevent and investigate harassment claims
• Insure that your workplace complies with laws affecting disability, age and religious discrimination, including learning how to handle claims involving the Family Medical Leave Act and
• Provides updates on state laws and court decisions affecting these areas.
Major EEO Laws and Regulations
(Full Day)
Every manager has been involved in a situation where they weren’t sure about whether or not the actions that they took were legal and justifiable. This seminar is designed for business owners, managers, supervisors, and human resource professionals who have actionable authority (hiring, firing, compensation, etc.) over the organization’s employees. You will learn (or refresh your knowledge on) the major federal EEO Laws in today’s work environment. When you have completed the course you will have gained knowledge in the following areas:
• Title VII: The 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended
• The EEOC
• Types of workplace discrimination
• Americans with Disabilities Act – What can you do and when can you do it?
• BFOQs; Reasonable Accommodations; Undue Hardship; other terms in law
• Age Discrimination in Employment
• And more
Employment Law
(2 Days – One day EEO Law and One Day Other Business Laws)
Every manager has been involved in a situation where they weren’t sure about whether or not the actions that they took were legal and justifiable. This seminar is designed for business owners, managers, supervisors, and human resource professionals who have actionable authority (hiring, firing, compensation, etc.) over the organization’s employees. You will learn (or refresh your knowledge on) the major Employment Laws in force in today’s work environment. When you have completed the course you will have gained knowledge in the following areas:
• Title VII: The 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended
• The EEOC
• Types of workplace discrimination
• The Equal Pay Act
• Age Discrimination in Employment
• Americans with Disabilities Act – What can you do and when can you do it?
• BFOQs; Reasonable Accommodations; Undue Hardship; other terms in law
• Wrongful termination and at-will employment
• Family and Medical Leave Act – major provisions
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• And more