A Whole New World: What Georgia Employers Need to Know Following FTC’s Blockbuster Announcement it will Seek to Limit Non-Competes

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published a proposed rulemaking on January 5, 2023, aiming to eliminate entirely the use of non-compete agreements between employers and employees, including invalidating existing agreements that employers may have entered into years earlier.  The proposed rule, which will impact private employers in all states, including Georgia, is located here: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/p201000noncompetenprm.pdf […]

Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act

On August 6th, 2020 Governor Kemp signed into law the “Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act.” Here are the key points of the act: 1. Goes into effect August 7, 2020 2. Expires July 14, 2021, unless otherwise extended by lawmakers. 3. Covers all businesses and healthcare facilities and those related. 4. Receipt or proof […]

Can I Be Sued If a Customer Visits My Business and Later Tests Positive for COVID-19?

The uncertain landscape faced by thousands of small business owners in Georgia got a new wrinkle last week when Georgia’s governor announced that many “non-essential” businesses ordered shuttered during the pendency of the shelter-in-place order would be permitted to reopen. Along with questions regarding best practices to protect employees and staff when businesses reopen their […]

COVID-19 Charter Schools Navigate Economic Fallout With Help From SBA

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act, which provides $2 trillion in economic relief.  $349 billion of that relief package has been allocated to the Small Business Association (SBA) to support “Paycheck Protection Program” Loans (PPP Loans). These low-interest loans are partially forgivable to the extent they are used to retain employees […]

COVID-19 Small Business Loan Update

We at Krevolin & Horst know that these are uncertain and difficult times and wanted to let those of you with small businesses know about potential programs for relief. Expansion of SBA’s 7(a) Loan Program to Support “Paycheck Protection Program” Loans Built into the CARES Act, which has been approved by Congress and signed by […]

COVID-19 When Circumstances Beyond Your Control Prevent Your Business from Meeting a Contractual Obligation

As the global economy reels from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and small businesses are forced to shutter or drastically change their operations, small business owners may find themselves locked into contracts where performance has become impractical or impossible due to changed circumstances.  Other businesses may find themselves locked into contracts where the performance […]

COVID-19 Guidance for Emergency Conditions Teleconferences Under the Open Meetings Laws

Under the current “emergency conditions” related to COVID-19, charter schools may conduct board meetings (or committee meetings) via teleconference.  The requirements (contained in OCGA 150-14-1(g)) are as follows: That there is a situation involving “public safety or the preservation of property or public services.”  The current situation qualifies. You should provide notice through the following […]

The differences between a non-compete, a non-solicit, and a non-disclosure agreement—with examples!

In your business, you have probably heard of most or all of these agreements.  You may even use them all.  And, often, these agreements will all be part of one document or contract.  Thus, these agreements can often get lumped together.  For example, people use “non-compete” to include a “non-solicit.”  Nonetheless, understanding the differences in […]

Hiring Someone With A Non-Compete

Non-competes are common.  You can find them among doctors and among fast food workers.  You may even have your own employees sign them.  But your business not only needs to keep employees, it needs to hire them.  So how do you hire someone that has a non-compete?  Like most things in business, hiring someone with […]

Do You Have A Lanham Act Claim?

You may not have heard of the Lanham Act.  Even some lawyers are likely not familiar with it.  Lawyers that are aware of the Lanham Act may think of it primarily as having something to do with trademarks.  But this federal statute goes beyond trademarks and protects against certain kinds of false advertising.  And those […]