Swiecicki & Muskett LLC

Partner Chris Swiecicki recently had the honor of being appointed to the Audit Committee for the Federal Bar Association (FBA). The FBA advocates for the rule of law through nonpartisan advocacy and grassroots work, and also supports the independence of the federal judiciary. As part of the audit committee, Chris will work with other members to help secure and review an independent audit or the organization. This is a one-year appointment. The firm is proud of Chris, and he is eager to get to work with his colleagues! #FBA #CommitteeWork https://buff.ly/4dEaONa  

I was delighted when asked to be co-author with Richard Wise on this article, which first appear in the St. Louis Bar Journal. Richard is a wealth of information on many topics, and I was happy to contribute my two cents on this particular case. Readers who want the full version, complete with footnotes, should check out the edition published by the Bar Journal.

In case you missed it: On patent infringement and how it applies to apps. Note that our firm does not have attorneys admitted to the patent bar...but we often advise those attorneys, especially when there is a complex business case. We love to partner in such cases! #PatentInfringement

You wouldn't believe how many M&A deals get snagged when it comes to the "representations and warranties" section. This part of a deal is not just legal "yadda yadda yadda"-- it is an important part of the process. #MergersAcquisitions

If you are starting a new business, you will want to think carefully about its legal structure. This not only has tax implications (obviously), but also affects management, the raising of capital, and how you protect your own personal assets. Before you file, talk to an attorney about the structure that will best protect you and the business! #BusinessOwnership

Take a guess, and then read on:

Every business, no matter how small, will eventually need to enter into some type of transaction that requires a formal contract. Small business owners may be tempted to draft a contract themselves or choose from online sources that promise easy-to-use contract templates. They may not feel the need to involve an attorney unless something goes wrong. Here's why you might need to re-consider that approach:

For the love of all that is good... Before you download and use that template you found online, read this. It is so much better to call us now, before the contract is signed, than later when things have already come to a head. And believe us, problems can and do occur. #BusinessContracts #BusinessContractTemplates

Launching a new business with a family member, or bringing a child or sibling into an existing business, should be handled carefully. There are a ton of thorny issues to navigate. A family business lawyer can be a neutral, unbiased advisor who keeps the company on track and maintains family harmony. #FamilyOwnedBusiness #BusinessLitigation #CorporateTaxAttorney

In case you missed it: What "sandbagging" is, and why it matters for business contracts.