Because nearly 85% of Nevada land is owned by the federal government, the bureaucracy that is the Bureau of Land Management’s (“BLM”) maze of rules, regulations and processes has seriously hindered development of solar projects. The BLM process has been so time-consuming and expensive that most developers gave up or went broke. The news of the Department of the Interior’s blueprint for a standardized Environmental Impact Statement is a huge step forward and hopefully will encourage more solar project development in Nevada on federal lands. Check out this article from Fox News Reno about this development. http://www.foxreno.com/news/news/state-regional/new-milestone-solar-energy-development-nevada/nP286/
Tips For Buyers of a Business to Avoid Costly Mistakes
Business acquisitions are complex transactions that can provide you with an opportunity to realize a good return on your investment or become a financial nightmare. To maximize the likelihood that you will close upon a deal that is right for you, you need to have an experienced business lawyer as part of your team. Because pre-printed forms and amateur advice are plentiful on the Internet, people may be tempted to believe that they can do it themselves. My first and most important advice to you is — don’t!. The purchase of a business is not a “DIY” project and the consequences of trying to do so can be disastrous.
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Is Your Customer List a Trade Secret? Don’t Be So Sure . . .
Customer lists can be an important asset for competitive advantage in many businesses – insurance, real estate, stock brokerage and financial advice – the list goes on. When a person decides to leave his firm and moves on to another opportunity, the customer list often becomes a bone of contention. The departing employee believes that he invested his time, effort and energy developing the customer list and the relationships that followed. The company feels confident that because the customer list was developed while the employee was on its payroll, the customer list is proprietary to the employer.
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Yes, You Really Do Need a Contract . . . Part 2
Even when it seems like the subject matter is personal, such as renting a residence, Business Law 101 states that you still really do need a contract. I recently encountered an unfortunate example.
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Yes, You Really Do Need a Contract . . .
I can’t tell you how many times clients have come into my office and said “I am starting a new business with my best friend [brother, sister, mother, cousin, etc.]. We have a great idea. We share this vision. We have a great relationship. We are never going to have any problems about how to handle our business relationship. We don’t need a contract.”
Marti Invited To Speak At Renewable Energy Roundtable Series
Marti Ashcraft has been invited to speak at UNLV’s Renewable Energy Roundtable on February 7, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the UNLV Science and Engineering Building Auditorium (SEB 1131) to discuss renewable energy policy in Nevada and the United States. Marti will be joined by Lydia Ball with the Clean Energy Project and Pete Konesky from the Nevada State Office of Energy. The program will start with introductions and short presentations by each of the speakers, and then move to a roundtable format to discuss renewable energy policy issues. The roundtable portion of the program will be moderated by Professor Bret Birdsong of the UNLV Boyd School of Law. The general public is welcome to attend.
. . . and Nevada’s Best Lawyer in America for Energy Law is . . .
It is always nice to have good news to share. U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® in America released the 2011-2012 “Best Lawyers” and “Best Law Firms” rankings. I have been named a Best Lawyer in America for Energy Law and the Law Office of Martha J. Ashcraft has been name a Best Law Firm for Commercial Litigation.
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Featured in Crave Las Vegas!
I am really excited to announce that I am featured in the first edition of CRAVE Las Vegas, the Urban Girl’s Manifesto, the ultimate guide to women-owned businesses in Las Vegas. As stated by the CRAVE Company, “At CRAVE Las Vegas we believe in acknowledging, celebrating and passionately supporting local businesses. CRAVE Las Vegas is all about quality products and thoughtful service. CRAVE Las Vegas is more than a guidebook. It’s a savvy, quality-of-lifestyle book devoted entirely to local businesses owned by women. . . . We’ll introduce you to the inspired, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises, for whom creativity, quality, innovation and customer service are paramount.”
