Starting a business is exciting but it is also a legal commitment. One of the most overlooked decisions entrepreneurs make is choosing the right business entity when starting their company. That choice can determine whether personal assets — including one’s home, savings and investments — are safe if their business faces any legal troubles. Beyond the formation of a company, … [More]
Drug Developments: What Arizona Employers Need to Know about Recent Legal Changes
Magic mushrooms may be on the same acceptance path as marijuana
Psilocybin use could become legal in Arizona much sooner than employers realize, and there is already a blueprint for compliance. Marijuana legalization in the United States has advanced piecemeal, state by state and city by city, but with steadily increasing momentum. California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana use in 1996, and Arizona did so in 2010. … [More]
Preserving a Business’s Competitive Edge: A Practical Guide to IP Protection for Phoenix Entrepreneurs
A Practical Guide to IP Protection for Phoenix Entrepreneurs
Business owners often treat protecting their intellectual property in the way many treat a check-engine light appearing on the car dashboard: “That seems important, but it can wait.” But that strategy can be costly. Understanding when and how to effectively protect IP is essential for safeguarding proprietary technology, preserving consumer goodwill, achieving long-term … [More]
Employees: Exempt or Non-Exempt? Avoiding Costly Classification Errors
On the surface, it seems like a simple paperwork issue: Classify workers as exempt or non-exempt, cut the checks and move on. But when it comes to employee pay, one wrong label can cost an employer millions and trigger cascading liabilities, including unpaid wage claims, overtime disputes, government penalties and even class-action lawsuits. Understanding the difference … [More]
Layoff Logic: How to Avoid a Short Circuit with a Lawful Workforce Contraction Strategy
As technology, demand and regulations rapidly evolve, the tech sector generally and semiconductor companies specifically must learn and master how to legally expand and contract their workforces to meet both business needs and budgetary constraints. Fluctuating demand due to the cyclical nature of the industry and the growing talent shortage with nuanced and evolving laws … [More]
Are Climate-Related Disclosure Laws on the Horizon?
Arizona businesses with a California presence should pay attention to California climate-related disclosure laws
Over the last few years, California enacted climate-related disclosure laws that may impact Arizona companies doing business in our neighboring state. Compliance with these laws is required to start in 2026, and Arizona businesses should be aware. Specifically, there are two broad categories of mandated climate-related disclosures under California law. First, companies may … [More]
Understanding Shareholders’ Agreements in Closely Held Corporations
It’s good business to be prepared for when shareholders who were once best friends don’t agree with each other anymore
It all starts with a great idea, people getting together over a handshake and starting a business together. Then, one day, times become tough, issues arise, and shareholders who were once best friends don’t agree with each other anymore. Next, one shareholder wants to leave the business, but there is no legal document providing the rules of the road to resolve those … [More]
The Changing Workplace: The Outcomes and Challenges of Return-to-Office Mandates in 2025
In the years following the globally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, employers have explored variations of work arrangements to balance the demands of their businesses with the needs of their employees’ personal lives. Among the lessons learned through the pandemic was, many jobs have the potential to be performed remotely. While the arrangement allowed new flexibility for many … [More]
Estate Planning for Business Succession
What small business owners need to know
John Mercer never imagined his sudden heart attack at age 58 would leave his business vulnerable. With no formal succession plan in place, his family struggled to maintain operations while managing their grief. Key clients, concerned about service continuity, began exploring relationships with competitors. Meanwhile, valuable employees, uncertain about the company's future, … [More]
The Landscape of Businesses’ Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Commitments
Companies largely maintain inclusion, equity and diversity commitments amid Trump anti-IE&D policies, though concerns about legal risks grow, Littler survey finds
As the Trump administration takes aim at inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) initiatives, new research shows that most businesses are not yet making significant changes to their programs and commitments. Nearly half (49%) of C-suite leaders are not considering new or further rollbacks of their IE&D programs as a result of Trump executive orders targeting IE&D and … [More]
Proposed Legislation Impacting Arizona’s Business Landscape
What business owners and developers should know about
Every year, the Arizona Legislature introduces dozens of bills that can impact the business community. As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, here are the bills the Rose Law Group Lobbying and Government Affairs Department is tracking: Water and Development Regulations SB1249: Groundwater Pumping; Measuring; Reporting This bill requires nonexempt well users to … [More]
New Employment Laws Affecting Arizona Businesses
A glimpse into 2025
The year 2024 was one of the most active ones for federal and state agencies in passing workplace legislation — many of which created new compliance obligations for employers. Although 2025 does not currently have as much on the agenda, there are some key changes that may affect various businesses. Here is a preview of what employers should expect in 2025. Statewide Minimum … [More]
Clickwrap Agreements Are Binding Contracts
Key considerations for consumers and businesses
We are all conditioned to click “agree” to terms and conditions when we get a new app, update our cell phone operating system, or purchase a product or service online. But most of us do not take the time to read what we have agreed to. And many do not fully appreciate that such terms and conditions are binding contracts — even if the user did not read them before clicking … [More]
How Employers Are Harnessing AI’s Value while Reining in the Risks
Developing employee policies around its use is critical
Two years after the public debut of ChatGPT, the adoption of artificial intelligence by companies throughout North America continues apace. This increased use of AI in the corporate world has, in turn, spurred continuing conversations about AI’s utility and value in the workplace along with its potential risks. Littler recently conducted its “2024 AI C-Suite Survey Report,” … [More]
Unpaid Wages, Compensation and Tips, Oh My!
Three legal issues employers need to know
It sure seems like wage-and-hour lawsuits are flooding Arizona court dockets these days. And most of the defendants appear to be small to mid-size business owners. These lawsuits — typically brought by employees against their former employers — usually arise from one of the following three situations: Unpaid overtime wages Unpaid commissions Unpaid tips This … [More]
A Short Guide to Navigating a Business Breakup
Set ground rules in advance to mitigate potential issues
Business co-ownership can end for many reasons — disputes, divorce, death, liability, sickness, retirement or even criminal activity. These breakups can be complex and emotional, not unlike the dissolution of a marriage. But proactively planning for “the end,” even one that may never come, is a best practice. Recognizing the Need for a Business Divorce Today Most people do … [More]
Six Essential Employment Law Conversations for Growing Businesses
Navigating legal requirements to create a safe and productive workplace
Responsible business growth in Arizona begins with a commitment to a fair and productive workplace. Understanding the impact of employment practices and legal requirements on business is essential to that growth, which is the expertise attorneys bring to the enterprise. Fair Hiring Practices Adding employees is an important step in business growth, but hiring isn't as simple … [More]
Employer Alert: The FTC’s New ‘Non-Compete Rule’
Federal courts are split on enforceability of the FTC’s nationwide ban on non-compete agreements; what does that mean for employers?
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced a nationwide ban on Non-Compete Agreements, set to take effect on September 4, 2024. The enforceability of the FTC’s ban has been challenged in Texas and Pennsylvania federal court. The results of those two cases are still pending, but some initial rulings by those two courts have left business owners scratching their collective … [More]
