New Legal Issues Seminar

Managing the Modern Trust: A Primer for Trustees and Those Who Advise Them - Mark Edwards
The laws governing the administration of trusts have changed substantially in the last twenty-five years, and so have the duties of the trustee. We will look at these changes and see how the trustee (and the advisors to the trustee) can cope with them. We will look at how the trust should be drafted initially, how the trustee must plan both for investment of the assets and for distributions to the beneficiaries, how the beneficiaries can be made partners in the process, and how the advisor must be an active participant in the process.

"Alter Ego" Liability - Nick Ellis
In today’s corporate world, business owners often establish separate legal entities (corporations, LLCs, etc.) to conduct business. One of the great benefits of this is that it eliminates personal liability for the business owner. However, if the owner fails to keep his personal affairs separated from business dealings, he may have the company’s liabilities imposed on him and lose the protection of the "corporate shield." Nick Ellis will explain how to recognize the signs of "alter ego liability" and how to keep your clients protected.

What To Do When The Government Shows Up - Eddie Speas
In today’s heavily regulated business world, it is likely that government officials with credentials will someday show up at your client’s office. Whether it is the IRS, the Department of Labor, the EPA or any of a myriad of governmental agencies, what should you tell your client when he calls you? Eddie Speas will identify under what circumstances and when you should call a lawyer and the consequences of not making timely invocation of privileges. He will also discuss disclosure of client information and other bear traps for the alert professional.

Preparing a Small to Mid-Cap Company for Sale - Kim Bayless
Whether a sale of a business is contemplated in five years, five months or five weeks, we will discuss practical steps that business owners should take to properly prepare for such a sale. Lower than expected purchase price and dead deal costs are common results when business owners fail to properly prepare a company for sale. This presentation will address what these business owners and their professional advisors should be considering to maximize the purchase price while minimizing their after-closing liability exposure.

Pitfalls and Policies: Cautions for Employers and Those Who Advise Them - Steve Rowe
Employers face many headaches and communication difficulties, and frequent lecturer Steve Rowe will explain the most common remedies. You will learn how to recognize Wage & Hour pitfalls, bonus issues, problems arising from vacation pay, and the importance of careful exempt or non-exempt classification. He will also cover key policies that every employer should have in place, including anti-discrimination, payroll policies, and disciplinary policies. Finally, he will tackle the issues surrounding background checks and discuss the alphabet soup of laws that govern them.

Bankruptcy as Art? If Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder... - Deborah Sperati
If you’re advising a business considering filing a chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, certain contours of bankruptcy may be very appealing. However, if you’re advising a creditor trying to collect from a chapter 11 debtor, the chapter 11 process may invoke visions of Munch’s "The Scream." Deborah Sperati will talk about the latest issues faced by debtors and creditors in a typical chapter 11 case, including treatment of the debtor’s lease agreements, taxes and utilities.

Succession Planning for the Family-Owned Business: A Holistic Approach - Sam Johnson
As professionals, we often concentrate on the income, gift and estate tax issues, and ignore, to the detriment of the family, the practical, emotional and financial implications of succession planning for our clients who own closely-held businesses. Through a case study approach, we will address a multitude of non-tax issues that impact, and various techniques to implement, a successful succession plan for a family-owned business.

Fast Talk with Poyner & Spruill - 30 Business Tips in 30 Minutes

Join us for a panel discussion with Poyner & Spruill attorneys. In a fast-paced fashion, they will share 30 tips for you to use with your clients concerning best business practices and mistakes we see clients make.

Special Guest Speaker from North Carolina State University - Update on the U.S. Economy - Dr. Mike Walden

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