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If copyright law protects content. And trademark law protect brands. Then advertising law protects consumers. And unlike copyright and trademark law—which many business owners can avoid thinking about until something goes wrong—advertising law applies every single time you market your business. Before we layer in AI, it’s important to understand the baseline rules that already govern…
If copyrights protect content, trademarks protect brands. Trademarks cover the names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that consumers associate with your goods or services. The goal of trademark law isn’t just to protect business owners—it’s also to protect consumers from being misled or confused about who they’re buying from. In that same vein, a…
Economic uncertainty continues to put pressure on both tenants and property owners. Rising living costs, higher interest rates, and a cooling job market have led to more missed rent and mortgage payments. For landlords, that can mean lost income; for lenders, it can lead to foreclosure proceedings—and ultimately, evictions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several…
New law passed by the Missouri legislature in late May, which Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law on July 10, 2025: (a) eliminates Missouri income tax on individuals’ capital gains, and (b) exempts and feminine hygiene products, diapers, and incontinence products from Missouri state sales tax. Individuals’ Capital Gains are No Longer Taxed in…
Anyone who has been on the wrong end of the foreclosure process knows how stressful and unfair it is to the borrower under Missouri law. Even those who have some experience with the foreclosure process believe popular myths about it. In this article, I will bust three key myths about Missouri non-judicial foreclosure. …
In a prior post, I told the disturbing true tale highlighting the dangers of delegating an important job to Artificial Intelligence. That time it was a plaintiff’s lawyer who assigned to ChatGPT the laborious task of researching and drafting a brief opposing a motion to dismiss. To his dismay and the fury of the…
As of May 1, 2025, employers in Missouri must comply with Proposition A, Missouri’s Paid Sick Time law. Despite a lawsuit challenging the new law, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld Proposition A, on April 29, 2025. Employers with existing PTO policies must ensure compliance with the new law, while employers without a PTO policy…
Experiential retail has emerged as a game-changer in the world of brick-and-mortar stores, offering immersive, engaging shopping experiences that captivate consumers. However, bringing these innovative concepts to life involves navigating a complex web of landlord and city approvals. Here’s a closer look at the crucial aspects of securing these approvals and ensuring your experiential…
Odermann v. Mancuso, 670 SW3d 461 (Mo. App. W.D. 2023), a recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, when read with a prior Missouri Supreme Court decision of Sugar Creek Homeowners Ass’n v. Jefferson Bank & Trust Co. 464 S.W.3d 177 (Mo. 2015), provides a comprehensive overview of the privilege and…
On March 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) announced that: (1) it will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) under the current deadlines (generally, March 21, 2025); (2) Treasury will not enforce fines or penalties against U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies, even after the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”)…
Following months of uncertainty, the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) is once again enforceable. As a result, the Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”) reporting requirements are in effect for any LLC, corporation, or other entity that is created by filing a document with a Secretary of State office (or similar office) unless it is an exempt entity…
The hip-hop world has been ablaze with the feud between megastars Kendrick Lamar and Drake, culminating in a legal battle that extends beyond diss tracks. While rap beefs have historically stayed within the confines of music, Drake has taken the dispute to court, filing a federal defamation lawsuit against Lamar’s record label Universal Music…
The legal landscape surrounding unlawful detainer actions in Missouri is riddled with uncertainty, particularly when it comes to handling affirmative defenses and counterclaims. And especially if those counterclaims and affirmative defenses turn on equitable title defenses. This complexity is highlighted by the conflicting interpretations of key cases such as Wells Fargo v. Smith (2013)…
On January 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order staying the injunction that had blocked enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) in Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. McHenry (604 U. S. ____ (2025) (previously styled Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland). This order would have allowed enforceability of the…
UPDATED DECEMBER 27, 2025 In an unexpected ruling on December 26, 2024, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed its own decision and reinstated the nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”). This order comes just three days after a different panel of…
On December 3, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas enjoined the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) and the Reporting Rule implementing the CTA (the “December 2024 Order”). The December 2024 Order may reverse course for an estimated 32.6 million existing business entities that otherwise were required to disclose their beneficial owners…
As I have written before, Donald J. Trump has proven over and over to be the gift that goes on giving to copyright and trademark lawyers. Last time around it was the battle over the application to register the trademark for TRUMP TOO SMALL—which ended with a Supreme Court decision blocking the registration but nevertheless…
When navigating the complexities of commercial leases, you might encounter the term “waiver of subrogation.” Waiver of subrogation clauses are often accepted as boiler plate legalese in lease agreements. However, the wrong language in a waiver of subrogation clause can be a costly mistake. Waiver of subrogation clauses are a crucial concept that can…
We all know to be wary of classic red flags in relationships—like the guy who still calls his mom to make his dentist appointments. But what about red flags when it comes to business-related correspondence? In today’s world, scammers are constantly seeking opportunities to prey on unsuspecting individuals and businesses. While we can’t stop…