Outside Chief Legal LLC

Proud to sponsor the Downtown Mobile Alliance Annual Meeting for the fourth year in a row.

This year our own Jordan Gerheim had the honor of opening the meeting and calling the room to order. The Alliance brings the whole city together once a year to look at what's been accomplished and hear from great speakers about what's still ahead.

Thank you to the Downtown Mobile Alliance for the invitation, and congratulations on another great meeting.

General information, not legal advice.

Many business owners assume that once something has already happened, such as an unfavorable contract, an escalating dispute, or a decision they are second-guessing, it is too late to seek legal guidance.
That is not always the case. But the longer an issue remains unresolved, the more the available options, timing, cost, and practical path forward may change.
This carousel walks through a common pattern of what can happen as an issue sits unresolved.
General information only. This content is not legal advice.

When a key employee leaves, the business may face more than the loss of one person. Client relationships, pricing information, confidential data, and company access can create risk if the business has not put the right protections in place.
A signed non-compete may be part of the solution, but it is not the complete answer. Swipe through to see what can create exposure, what a written agreement should address, and what options may remain if an employee has already left.
General information only. This content is not legal advice.

Alabama's new franchise law gives certain franchisees protection when operating on a religious day would conflict with sincerely held religious beliefs.
The details matter. The original agreement, any renewal or amendment, and any expansion agreement can affect whether an exception applies.
If your franchisor has changed ownership, your agreement is being renewed, or you are being asked to accept new operating requirements, it is worth reviewing the terms before you sign.
General information only. This content is not legal advice.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Much of the advice you will see focuses on passwords, multifactor authentication, phishing awareness, and employee training.
That work matters, and your IT provider may be best positioned to lead it.
There is also a useful legal and business exercise that can be completed in an afternoon.
Review the contracts for vendors that hold, store, or process customer data. Find the breach-notification provision in each agreement. Then determine how quickly the vendor must notify your business, what information it must provide, who pays for the response, and whether the agreement supports your obligations in every state where affected customers may live.
We explain what to look for in our latest article: https://outsidechieflegal.com/vendor-data-breach/
General information only. This content is not legal advice.

Many business owners assume they have outgrown "small business" status once revenue reaches a certain level.

The SBA's definition may be different.

SBA size standards vary by industry and are generally based on average annual receipts or employee count. The applicable standard can vary substantially by industry, so it is worth checking the current SBA table and the NAICS code assigned to your business.

Why does that matter? Qualifying small-business status may affect eligibility for certain government contracting opportunities, SBA loan programs, certifications, and other federal programs. Eligibility depends on the specific program and facts, including the business's industry classification, ownership, affiliation, and other requirements.

If your business has grown, it may be worth confirming where it falls rather than assuming that "small business" no longer applies.

General information only. This content is not legal, tax, lending, or government-contracting advice.