The Pitfalls of Co-signing a Loan

Consumers, businesses, and non-profits often seek to buy products or items, such as vehicles, homes, and clothes, but do not have the funds to pay for said items at the time of purchase.  The sellers of these items – lenders, retailers, dealers, banks, finance companies, etc. – may sell the product on credit but require…

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Discrimination in the Workplace

Despite the numerous anti-discrimination laws, discrimination continues to happen in many corners of America. One such corner can be the workplace. Discrimination in the workplace takes many forms – for example, discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Racial, national, ethnic, sexual, gender, and religious discrimination in the workplace is…

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Wrongful Termination

In Tennessee, everyone has the right to earn a living, and employers have the right to fire or terminate employees.  Tennessee is a “right to work” state.  Generally speaking, unless the firing or loss of job benefit is related to or caused by unlawful discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, creed, age, or…

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Confidentiality Agreements

Privacy, trust, secrecy, and protection thereof are important in today’s business world, and a confidentiality agreement often is used to protect confidential information between an employer and employee or between businesses proposing to enter or entering an agreement. Also known as a non-disclosure agreement, a confidentiality agreement is a binding agreement between two or more…

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Non-Competition Agreements

The business world often can be complicated and confusing. A recurring source of confusion is agreements not to compete. But what exactly is a non-competition agreement? A non-competition agreement is often, but not always an agreement between an employer and employee where the employee agrees not to compete in the same line of business for…

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Arbitration

Laws exist to promote structure, order, and fairness. Nevertheless, disputes arise.  Though they may be resolved or settled by different means, such as an informal agreement, at times, arbitration is used. Arbitration is a means to settle disputes outside the courtroom. The opposing parties select and pay for an arbitrator(s) to resolve their conflict.  Arbitration…

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Crime and Asset Forfeiture

The police are tasked with upholding the law.  State and federal laws give them numerous methods to carry out their duties, and some generate controversy. Asset forfeiture is a tool that many contend is over-used; others say it is essential to remove the profits from illegal activity.  But what exactly is asset forfeiture? Asset forfeiture…

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Celebrating Immigrant Entrepreneurs’ Contributions to the U.S. Economy

The United States is a nation of immigrants, and June is immigrant heritage month when we stop and recognize the amazing ways that immigrants have contributed to and enriched our American life, society, culture and particularly the economy. The Partnership for a New American Economy analyzed the positive impact that foreign-born entrepreneurs are having on…

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Changes in Immigration Policy Affecting Restaurants

Many undocumented immigrants have been in the U.S. for years; some came as children and have been in the U.S. all their lives.  The U.S. stated general policy, as set forth in federal law, was that undocumented immigrants were subject to removal or deportation.  The policy now is changing, partly due to President Barack Obama’s…

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