You do work, but you don’t get paid. It happens often in the construction industry. But there is a legal mechanism that can help you. Depending on where you live, it may be called a construction lien, or property lien. So, what is it, how do you engage - or avoid - this legal action, and how might it affect your rights. In this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk, attorney Matthew Hitchcock discusses what you need to understand about Contractor’s Lien Rights – and The Importance of Perfection.

JDSA's Law Talk

Contractor's Lien Rights – and the Importance of Perfection

Workplace Discrimination is an all too common topic. Partly, it’s because people have become more empowered to stop and report what they see as unfair treatment of themselves, or others. But what really is the definition of workplace discrimination? How do we know what is or isn’t actual discrimination under the law? How are companies protected? And how should employers act to protect their employees? In this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk, attorney Stephanie Boehl joins the show to discuss Workplace Discrimination – And What You Need to Know About It.

Workplace Discrimination – and What You Need to Know About It

Your ideas have value. And if you want to earn a living from your ideas, you need to own them and control them. If you create the next big thing, you’ll likely want to create the next, Next Big Thing. So, in order to keep creating, you need to license your ideas – your intellectual property – and let others sell it for you. But, now you have to sort out license scope, revenues, timelines, enforcement, and more. And that’s when you learn, licensing intellectual property is exactly as complex as it sounds. In this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk, attorney Colleen Frei offers Five Tips for Licensing Intellectual Property. 

Five Tips for Licensing Intellectual Property

When you buy a property, it’s yours, correct? No one can come on your property. But can the utility company have access? It’s possible they can, because of an encumbrance. An encumbrance allows access for a variety of reasons. Some are voluntary, while others - such as a utility easement - are involuntary. All are perfectly legal, yet some may deter you from purchasing a property. In this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk, attorney Matthew Hitchcock discusses what you need to understand about Encumbrances – and The Issues They May Cause.

Encumbrances – and the Issues They May Cause

Your vacation home. It’s the family cabin. It’s where you and your family share incredible memories. And like all families, you want these memories to last - and you want new ones to be created in the years to come. So passing the cabin on to the next generation is important to you. Yet, how exactly do you do this? Are there tax implications? What do you need to know? In this JDSA Law Podcast, JDSA attorney Lindsay Weidenbach explains what you need to know and how to proceed in - Recreational Real Estate – Tips for Passing Down the Family Cabin.

Recreational Real Estate – Tips for Passing Down the Family Cabin

Your property. Before it was yours, it was someone else’s. Over the years, as properties change hands, assumptions are made about borders such as existing fences or landscape boundaries. So, what if you have a border dispute with your neighbor? Do you know who has a right to come onto your property, and why? Do you know for certain where your property boundary is? In this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk, attorney Matthew Hitchcock talks about dispute resolutions, property boundaries, and the importance of surveying.

Pregnancy Discrimination and Accommodations at Work

It’s difficult for most people to discuss estate planning. But, it’s important we make the tough decisions ourselves - especially if we have a family. Decisions like, what if both parents die in an accident? Who will take care of the kids? What about our furry and feathered family members? Can we legally give someone our passwords for our digital identities? What if we’re on life support? None of these questions should be left to the courts, and they are all covered in this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk as attorney Colleen Frei discusses some Uncomfortable—But Necessary—Questions About Estate Planning. 

Uncomfortable—but Necessary—Estate Planning Questions

Property Boundaries – and the Importance of Surveying

We’d all like to pay less tax. At the same time, we want more investment within our communities. And if you have some savings you’d like to invest, a tax shelter - of any kind - is always a consideration. Essentially, people are always looking for opportunity. Yet, with opportunity comes risk that should be properly vetted and include a solid understanding of the terminology. In this JDSA LawTalk Podcast, attorney Lindsay Weidenbach highlights the key points to consider when investing in Opportunity Zones.

Opportunity Zones

Social media is a huge part of our lives. Most of us are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat…and Instagram. We all, likely, follow people who post things that interest us. When they become highly popular and develop a loyal following, they can become known as influencers – but that can also be you! If you have a lot of followers on social media, and suddenly a company wants you to post stories about their products—your life can change—as instantly as a post can appear online. But what do you need to know about negotiating a contract to get paid to post? What are the best tactics? And what should be a red flag in any negotiation? In this special feature podcast, JDSA attorney Annie Robertson gives a detailed explanation of top negotiating skills, contract pitfalls, and what you should expect as a social media influencer – in Business on the ‘Gram.

SPECIAL FEATURE – Business on the ‘Gram

A will is your first step to being prepared for when you are gone. It’s something you do to protect your loved ones. But what about the taxes that are collected when you pass? What will your heirs end up with after the government receives their portion? Estate tax is complex. Careful planning, however, is how you protect those you leave behind from potentially excessive estate taxes. In this podcast episode, JDSA attorney Evan McCauley explains the things most of us likely don’t know about estate tax - and how to minimize the impact on your loved ones – in this episode, Estate Tax: Will Your Estate Have To Pay?

Estate Tax: Will Your Estate Have To Pay?

Season 3, Episode 22 – Family disputes happen all the time. Siblings don’t always get along. And we all have “that” aunt or uncle. But when family members have a disagreement about the family estate, trust or other assets, hostility can further complicate the matter. So, how are estate and trust disputes resolved? Does everyone have a day in court? Or is there a more conciliatory method of dispute resolution that is a win-win for all parties? In this podcast episode, filled with thought-provoking examples, JDSA attorney Evan McCauley explains how disputes can be resolved while still maintaining family harmony in Using TEDRA Agreements to Settle Estate and Trust Disputes.

Using TEDRA Agreements to Settle Estate and Trust Disputes

Season 3, Episode 18 – Product recalls are an increasingly frequent occurrence. Sometimes they involve product safety; other times they may involve situations such as food contamination. But have you ever thought about what the grower, manufacturer, or the retailer has to do when there’s a recall? Who shoulders the cost of pulling everything from the shelves? What other costs result from the issue? If you’re in the agriculture industry, manufacturing, or retail sector, you will want to listen to this podcast. JDSA attorney Colleen Frei discusses the importance of not only having insurance, but knowing for certain your policies are the right ones—to protect yourself—and cover unexpected expenses. Listen in, and get the details in this episode of JDSA’s Law Talk podcast highlighting Product Liability and Recalls – Is Your Business Protected?

Product Liability and Recalls – Is Your Business Protected?

The Epic Systems case is a recent United States Supreme Court decision that could have a significant impact on businesses and employees throughout the country. But is it good or bad for you? The Supreme Court has ruled that companies can use an arbitration clause in an employment contract. So, instead of going to court, employees may have to resolve disputes with their employer through arbitration. Is this good for employees? Or is it entirely lop-sided, and all in the favor of the company? This makes for a hot topic, and why you want to hear this podcast episode. Listen in as JDSA attorney Colleen Frei explains the new U.S. Supreme Court ruling and how it can affect you, in Arbitration — The Impact of Employment Dispute Resolution Agreements.

Arbitration – The Impact of Employment Dispute Resolution Agreements

There’s a lot of work that goes into getting ready for a court case. And something you may never have thought of, is where it will take place. How much does the venue where your case is heard matter? Could the outcome be affected? What’s the criteria for deciding the location, and who makes the final determination about what courtroom, what judge—and in what county—your case will be tried. It’s an important piece of the legal puzzle, and something your attorney takes into consideration. In this podcast episode, JDSA attorney Jordan Miller explores The Importance of a Proper Legal Venue.

The Importance of a Proper Legal Venue

Lawyers from JDSA Law cover legal topics and questions on the air – things we should know about law. JDSA Law is proud to support our community by providing insight into legal topics. *JDSA’s Law Talk discusses general legal issues, but does not constitute legal advice in any respect. Please seek the advice of counsel prior to making or refraining from a legal matter.