A mediated settlement discussion is a dynamic matter that does not lend itself well to a fixed strategy for settlement.  Often in preparation for a settlement discussion HR managers will meet with their lawyers to plan a financial range within which the employer is comfortable settling.  Often HR managers are…

Related Articles Understanding your liability when incorporating your business Incorporating with a numbered or named company 5 signs the time is right incorporate your business There are many features of an incorporated business that make them distinct from other business structures.  Unlike partnerships or sole proprietors, a corporations a separate…

For many new and growing businesses, signing a commercial lease can be an important and exciting step in the transition from business concept to being a fully operational enterprise.  But there are important differences between a commercial and residential lease that business owners must understand before signing any lease. Not…

There are several different scenarios which a family business shareholders agreement can address when it comes to defining who controls the business, transferring management and ownership and establishing a timetable for succession. Many family businesses are comprised of active parents and their children.  In these businesses it is reasonable and…

In the second installment of the ten most common employment law mistakes made by business owners and HR managers Nick Milanovichand I look at the factors that are considered when determining reasonable notice.  In our experience, employers and HR managers often put too much weight on an employee’s length of…

What are the most common employment law mistakes made by employers?  That was the question put to arbitrator, mediator and independent workplace investigator Nick Milanovic and myself during a recent joint presentation.  Over the next few weeks will be sharing our view of the ten most common employment law mistakes…

I have always liked the term “accidental partnership” to describe family businesses.  It was coined by Toronto based family business advisor Aron Pervin and succinctly sums up the unique challenges many business owners face when working alongside family members.  After all, in a family business environment the owners of the…

In addition to your financial and personnel records, a potential purchaser of a business will also want to closely examine the state of the contractual relationships with external third parties including key suppliers, licensees, landlords and of course customers. The first fundamental question is ‘are the contracts up to date’….