Sep 15, 2015 | Article
Business owners who run their own companies make huge investments of time, money and expertise to make their businesses successful and should be ab...
Author: William Sirdevan
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A group of minority shareholders of a corporation had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the purchase and renovation of a r...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A not-for-profit organization was involved in a dispute over the membership of the organization. The corporate records had not been mai...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A group of minority shareholders wished to sell the corporation as a result of a disagreement with the majority shareholders regarding ...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem The founding shareholders of a well-established business that operates through a corporate structure wanted to transition their holding...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem Two shareholders had incorporated a corporation to operate a very successful business. They owned all of the shares of the corporation ...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A not-for-profit corporation experienced repeated disruption at its annual general meetings as various factions attempted to take over ...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A prospective franchisee requested our assistance in reviewing the disclosure document of a new franchisor. Our Approach Applying our...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem We were retained by a regional franchisor to advise and represent it in connection with a lawsuit filed against it by one of its former...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A successful business was being operated through a corporation that owned both the operating business assets and the real estate housin...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem The founder of a successful business wished to retire and have his son and daughter succeed him in owning the business. To fund his ret...
Mar 13, 2015 | Case Study
The Problem A successful business owner negotiated a deal to sell the assets of his business. The seller was pleased with the sale price but disapp...
Oct 1, 2014 | Article
In our fictitious example, the Singhs believe that since they provided a disclosure document, and since Mr. Howard signed his franchise agreement 23 months ago, he cannot rescind the franchise agreement, as the 60-day period for rescission noted above has passed. However, Mr. Howard’s position is that the absence of a signed certificate was such a material deficiency that he did not actually receive a disclosure document. Therefore, Mr. Howard claims that the two-year rescission period applies, rather than the 60-day rescission period. The courts have tended to agree with Mr. Howard.
Author: Louis Vouloukos
Apr 1, 2014 | Article
Do you help to run a not-for-profit corporation, such as a social club, sports team, trade or professional association, cultural or faith group, or charity? Then you should read on, because the legislation governing incorporated not-for-profit groups is changing.
Author: Michael Luchenski
Apr 1, 2014 | Article
In Part 1 of this series on franchise law, we described Mr. and Mrs. Singh’s diner that offers customizable, affordable, healthy food in a trendy setting. The Singhs have now successfully tested their concept at several locations, registered a trade-mark, and incorporated a company (“SHD Inc.”), of which they are both directors. They now want to franchise their business and have been told they need a disclosure document.
Author: Louis Vouloukos
Dec 1, 2013 | Article
Mr. and Mrs. Singh have created a unique business: a diner that offers customizable, affordable, and healthy sandwiches, salads and soups in a trendy setting. They opened their first store in 2010 and their business concept worked. Customers often tell them they should franchise their business. The idea is very appealing to the Singhs, but they have no idea how to go about it.
Author: Louis Vouloukos
Dec 1, 2011 | Article
Many of our clients are active in organizations that are run for a specific purpose other than profit. These organizations, many of which are incorporated, range from registered charities, to trade associations, to sports and social clubs. In a previous article (The Lawrences Letter, Summer 2007) we outlined the legal responsibilities of directors in not-for-profit organizations, noting that such directors were held to a higher standard than were directors in for-profit corporations. With the proclamation into force of the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act on October 17, 2011, all that has changed.
Author: Michael Luchenski
Oct 1, 2011 | Article
If your organization has 20 or more employees or is in the public sector, you must also: Document in writing all your policies, practices and procedures for providing accessible customer service and meeting other requirements set out in the Customer Service Standards.
Author: Louis Vouloukos
Oct 1, 2011 | Article
Joan and Preeti are the franchisors of a small chain of fast-food restaurants. Each restaurant is owned and operated by a different franchisee. Each franchisee has up to ten employees. Three of the five franchised restaurants are in neighbourhoods where there are long-term care facilities and retirement homes, so each restaurant has a percentage of customers who suffer from a disability. One of their franchisees has just called to ask about a reminder they’ve received from the Ontario government about complying with new accessibility standards by January 1, 2012. She wants to know when the franchisor (Joan and Preeti) is going to take care of the new requirements.
Author: Louis Vouloukos
Jul 1, 2009 | Article
John and Jane run a website development business through their corporation, Risk Inc. John and Jane’s business grows and Risk finds itself with significant retained profits. This gives John and Jane the confidence to have Risk branch out into software development.
Author: William Sirdevan
Oct 1, 2008 | Article
Beginning a new business venture is somewhat like a marriage: it’s a new partnership where each partner brings something to the union. Partners in a business venture might contribute ideas, capital, hard work, skills, or assets. In return, they receive an ownership stake in the business and hope to see tangible returns for their efforts.
Dec 1, 2007 | Article
The founder of a family business adds his new son-in-law to the company’s board of directors. A small corporation seeks a substantial bank loan for a new acquisition. A growing company decides to pay out large, one-time bonuses, rather than large, annual raises, to its management team.
Author: William Sirdevan
Apr 1, 2007 | Article
Not-for-profit and charitable organizations provide many valuable community services. The activities of such organizations are usually guided by volunteer boards of directors, who have the opportunity to “give back” to the community, enjoy a rewarding experience and expand networking connections.
Author: Michael Luchenski
Apr 1, 2006 | Article
Jane and Brenda are business partners in a successful real estate venture. They’ve worked together for years, building the business from a basement sideline to a fulltime venture with 12 employees in a downtown office.
Author: William Sirdevan