Portland Area Law Blog

Business law: Did a former employee steal your trade secrets?

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. posted in business law on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

When an employee leaves his or her job at your company, he or she will likely use what was learned during the time at your business in order to perform well at his or her next job. There is nothing wrong with that, unless this individual has stolen your trade secrets and is using them to benefit him- or herself, or a new employer. What can Oregon business owners do if they believe former employers have stolen trade secrets? Can a business law attorney really help with this type of situation?

How does the law define trade secrets? A trade secret is any information or process used by a company, which is not protected by a patent or known to others but is of great economic value to the business. Under Oregon law, employers do have the right to take legal action against former employers who have stolen trade secrets.

Four questions to you might have when appointing an executor

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Though most people do not like to think about passing on, estate planning is an important tool to protect your assets for your beneficiaries. It also provides peace of mind because you know your affairs will be handled as you wish.

However, you must do more than just create a will. You also need to name an executor for your will. The executor ensures your will is distributed as you described. Naming a trustworthy executor helps the process go much smoother. Here are four things you might want to know before you select an executor.

Oregon real estate law: When there is a problem with the title

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. posted in real estate law on Monday, January 28, 2019.

Property, whether for business or investment, is generally a good thing to have in one's financial portfolio. While the real estate market goes through highs and lows, there is still a lot to be said for owning land and the structures placed on it. Unfortunately, a number of issues can arise in the real estate world that may affect one's purchase in a negative way. For example, every property has a title and any issues with that title can be expensive and time-consuming to address. Here are some common title problems often seen in Oregon and elsewhere.

Problem number one: clerical or filing errors. People make mistakes. When it comes to titles, they may file them incorrectly and they may fail to document vital information. Either of these issues takes time and money to fix.

Staying focused on your company’s needs when in litigation

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. posted in business law on Friday, January 18, 2019.

There are all kinds of disputes that can come up for businesses. This includes disagreements with other companies, customers or current or former employees. Sometimes, such disputes lead to a company bringing or facing lawsuits.

So, litigation can be a very common thing for small businesses. When bringing or facing a lawsuit, what ultimately happens with the case can have major impacts on a company’s future. So, when litigation arises for a business, making sure it is handled appropriately is very important.

Alternative dispute resolution methods to solve legal issues

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. posted in alternative dispute resolution on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Are you dealing with an issue that is going to require a little legal assistance to resolve? It does not matter if it is a real estate issue, business problem or estate law matter, litigation is not always necessary or the best way to handle such a situation. Instead, alternative dispute resolution methods may be the better option for handling legal issues in the state of Oregon.

Going to court can be expensive, and it can drag out a problem for much longer than is necessary. It is not always in your best interest to take an issue to court. Some things can be resolved through mediation or arbitration. What is the difference?

Three ways to help prevent an inheritance dispute among your kids

On behalf of The Mead Law Firm P.C. on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Drafting a will or trust requires careful planning, especially when you have multiple children to distribute property among. Not only do you want to consider which child to give specific assets to, but also to ensure that none of your children feel left out. Family disputes can unnecessarily slow down the process of passing on your estate. Even if your children are not prone to arguing with each other, it is important to think about what steps you can take to ease the distribution process and transfer your assets as efficiently as possible. Here are three suggestions to keep in mind when drafting your estate plan: