Online interactions are the norm for anyone doing business today. As businesses use websites and mobile apps to connect with their audience, there are certain responsibilities that businesses have to follow not only as required by law but to ensure a positive relationship with customers. Two key areas: Privacy Policies and Terms & Conditions - often get confused, but both serve distinct roles with different focuses. Let's explore the differences and why both are essential, especially in the context of laws that may apply. What is the Purpose of a Privacy Policy?A Privacy Policy functions as a detailed disclosure of... READ MORE

A severance agreement is a release to be signed by an employee whose employment is separated in exchange for payment of money (or other consideration). This can be an effective tool to protect a company from future lawsuits and other risks. Below we discuss legal requirements when using a severance agreement as well as specific provisions that should be included in the agreement to protect the organization. Legal Requirements When Presenting A Severance Agreement Whenever severance agreements are used there are certain legal requirements that must be followed. As a preliminary matter, in order to be enforceable, the employee must... READ MORE

Just like large companies, small businesses can leverage the opportunities that joint ventures can provide to thrive in today’s economy. Entering into a joint venture with other businesses and entrepreneurs could open the doors to gaining access to more capital, offering more services to clients and may help many small businesses thrive in today’s business landscape. In this article, we will explore some essential tips and considerations before entering into such partnerships. Reasons For Entering A Joint VentureEntering a joint venture can be a strategic move for small businesses to leverage the advantages that collaboration and partnership bring. By tapping... READ MORE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various industries, including creative services like marketing, graphic design, website development as well as legal services. One key question that arises is whether a professional needs to disclose the use of AI in their work. As legal jurisdiction and case law have yet to fully play out exactly where things may go, in this article, we delve into the topic and provide what we believe to be best practices in a new world as more professionals use AI in their business. Understanding What AI Is and How It Can Be Used AI technology has been... READ MORE

As a small business owner, it's essential to understand the legalities surrounding credit card fees to avoid any potential legal issues with your clients. Recently, a question was raised where a client was charged for credit card fees and the client claimed that it is illegal to charge for those fees in California. Here’s the background and how it may apply to your business. While the California Civil Code Section 1748.1 prohibits retailers, including service providers, from imposing surcharges on customers who choose to pay with a credit card, it also allows retailers to offer discounts to encourage payment by... READ MORE

As business attorneys, Chase Law Group advises our clients on how to make their online agreements as strong and enforceable as possible. Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that offers important insights for businesses looking to create a bulletproof online agreement. In this blog post, we provide some tips on how to draft online agreements that can withstand legal scrutiny and protect your business. In the case of Oberstein v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. a class action lawsuit was filed against Ticketmaster and Live Nation by a group of ticket purchasers who claimed they were charged... READ MORE

Frequently, clients will tell us they have a great idea that they would like to license others to operate. When we explain that they are proposing a franchise arrangement, we get the response, “I don’t want to be a franchisor; can’t I just grant a license?” What is a “franchise”? A franchise is a special kind of license. In general, all franchises include a license, but not all licenses are franchises. What’s the difference?  A franchise is an arrangement that normally includes three elements (there are exceptions in some states, but this is the rule in California and federally). We... READ MORE

As a business owner, it’s not enough to just have a contract, but truly “living” with your contract is the key to your best business protection. Living with your contract means knowing what your contract says, knowing what your contract means, and knowing how to enforce it when the time comes.  Here at Chase Law Group, we work with business owners on a daily basis and we find that oftentimes new clients come to us using a contract that they may have downloaded from the internet or they’ve borrowed it from someone else in their industry. Now they’re using that... READ MORE

When you are moving your business into a new space whether an office, industrial or retail location, there are a number of decisions and protections you’ll want to consider before signing a lease agreement with a landlord. The lease agreement comes in many forms and every situation is unique, which is why it’s important for you as the tenant to review the document with a qualified business or real estate attorney. Keep in mind that lease terms are always negotiable. You can assume that the document presented to you by the landlord favors the landlord and of course in many... READ MORE

As business owners, sometimes there are clients out there who may try to get out of paying you by contesting a charge for your products or services on their credit card, claiming it as “fraud” to their card issuer or bank. It’s frustrating to think that a customer would go to this extent to not pay you, but it does happen in business. Here’s what you should know and how best to handle a situation like this. Credit card companies don’t control your contract Regardless of what the credit card company does with the charge, whether they credit the customer’s... READ MORE