It’s easy enough to come up with a great idea. But, what next? After you come up with that novel idea for a product, system, or business, you may wonder what steps you should take to protect your intellectual property. A patent is one tool you can use to protect your idea from being stolen.…
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With the progress in technology and internet connections over the past few years, and the acceleration due to the pandemic, we have seen a large shift from in-person only to mostly remote hearings in civil cases. For the past year, civil courts in North Carolina have been conducting hearings and other court proceedings remotely. Here,…
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Business matters are often complex and highly technical. The litigation of these matters may be handled best in the North Carolina Business Court where judges often have specialized knowledge, experience, and a unique understanding of the complicated nature of business. However, not every case involving a business dispute is appropriate for Business Court. There are…
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A network of federal, state, and local laws protect consumers against conduct and practices that are considered deceptive, coercive, or otherwise unfair. North Carolina law is no exception: specifically, Chapter 75 of the North Carolina General Statutes prohibits certain practices that are deemed “unfair or deceptive” to consumers of products and services. The primary law…
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Litigation is expensive. Unfortunately, there is no getting around this fact. Attorneys are specialists in a complicated field involving years of education which costs thousands of dollars. They must also pay annual state bar membership dues, malpractice insurance premiums, and comply with continuing education requirements, not to mention the other various costs of running a…
Read MoreAs the world begins to open back up after the recent pandemic, there will inevitably be lots of celebration, getting out, and getting together with friends. Unfortunately, though, this may also result in a corresponding rise in DWI arrests. And while many people assume that they will never be pulled over and charged after enjoying…
Read MoreWhen businesses enter into contracts, they have an implied duty to act honestly, in good faith, and fairly. When they do not, they can be sued for a breach of this duty. Here, we discuss this duty of good faith and fair dealings and bad faith claims in the business context and the insurance context. …
Read MoreThe employer-employee relationship is legally complex, subject to numerous local, state, and federal requirements. On the one hand, employment is simply a contractual agreement between a business and its employees. On the other hand, these relationships can feel deeply personal. As such, it is vital that both employers and employees understand their legal rights and…
Read MoreAlternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR, is a litigation alternative that has been rising in popularity. Rather than turning to the court system to resolve a conflict, ADR refers to negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or other non-litigation forms of reaching an agreement for settling disputes. Instead of presenting the facts and arguing a case in front of…
Read MoreWhen you start a new job, there is a lot of paperwork to fill out, from employment contracts to W2s, waivers, tax documents, and fact sheets. In some industries, you may also be asked to sign a non-compete agreement, whether contained within your employment contract or by way of a separate document. Buried among the…
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