Reardon Anderson - January 2022

Reardon Anderson - January 2022

ReardonAnderson C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W

ReardonAnderson.com

January 2022

FORMING A NEW BUSINESS THIS YEAR?

HERE'S HOW WE CAN HELP

There are many things in life you don’t want to do alone or without an expert’s advice. Many entrepreneurs are ambitious enough to take the DIY approach toward their legal matters — the only problem is that this can seriously hinder or even cost them the business they’ve worked so hard to start. If you’re starting a new business in 2022, the following information is vital to your continued business success.

HERE ARE 5 REASONS TO HAVE A LAWYER ON YOUR SIDE.

The biggest reason small businesses benefit from a lawyer is simple: You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. Having a legal expert involved in your business planning can help make your operation more savvy for several reasons. First, they can ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws by making sure your business is formed correctly and registered with the appropriate government agencies. Second, a lawyer can reduce risk by ensuring you have conferred with appropriate professionals like accountants "Establishing legal documents that govern relationships in your company is important so you know exactly what you owe your partners, employees, vendors, customers or clients, and their deliverables in return.”

and insurance agents. Third, you can minimize liability by defining business terms of services and contract language that will limit your liability in the event of a legal claim. Yet another reason is you can put legal paperwork behind all your business agreements. Establishing legal documents that govern relationships in your company is important so you know exactly what you owe your partners, employees, vendors, customers or clients, and their deliverables in return. Lastly, for attorneys trained in tax law, they can help ensure you pay the tax you owe, and also help you lower your tax liability by identifying valid business deductions and reimbursements, especially after all the tax code changes since the COVID-19 pandemic.

sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation); picking a business name; forming a business entity (whereas a lawyer can create partnership agreements or file certificates of incorporation); attaining licenses/permits necessary for running your business , including trade-specific licenses, zoning permits, and others; creating contracts (e.g., terms of service, vendor and employee contracts, etc.); and patenting a business idea. There are many reasons entrepreneurs should have a go-to lawyer when starting a business — and that’s why we’re so grateful you’ve put us in your circle. Thank you for choosing us to serve you. If you know a budding entrepreneur, consider passing on this newsletter to them and putting in a good word for us. The highest compliment our team can receive is a referral. We’ve deeply appreciated your support and look forward to continuing serving you into 2022. –The Reardon Anderson Firm

WHEN DO I MAKE THE CALL?

At what point do you pick up the phone and consult a lawyer? There are many specific scenarios, including but not limited to: choosing a business entity (e.g.,

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How Much Are Your Favorite Pants Worth? ONE MAN ESTIMATED HIS AT $54 MILLION Everyone knows that the perfect pair of pants can be hard to come by, but are they worth $54 million? Administrative Judge Roy L. Pearson had a favorite pair of pants, but in 2007, he claimed that Custom Cleaners lost them and returned a completely different pair instead. It all began when Pearson took his pants to the Washington, D.C., dry cleaners for alterations worth $10.50. The pants were sent in error to the incorrect dry cleaner, so Pearson’s pickup was delayed by several days. Once the pants were returned, despite bearing all the correct tags and matching his receipt, Pearson declared that the pants were not his. When the dry cleaner refused his demand for $1,000 compensation, he decided it was time for legal action. Pearson originally sued the cleaner’s owners, Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung, and Ki Y. Chung, for a whopping $67 million in damages but later reduced the claim to a far more reasonable $54 million. In his suit, Pearson requested $3 million for mental distress, $90,000 for a rental car to visit another dry cleaner, and $500,000 in attorney’s fees (Pearson represented himself). At the heart of his claim, though, was the company’s failure to live up to their “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and “Same Day Service” signs in the window. The media had a field day, joking about the case as a “pantsuit” and inspiring a “Law & Order” episode called “Bottomless.” Pearson seemed to relish the spectacle, calling his lawsuit “an awesome responsibility” in court and breaking down into tears on the stand. Even though the Chungs offered him a $12,000 settlement to make the case go away, Pearson persevered. He ultimately lost his case. At the end of the trial, the judge declared that no reasonable person would consider the signs at Custom Cleaners to be an unconditional promise — and also that Pearson had failed to prove the returned pants weren’t his. The Chungs ultimately recovered their court costs via a fundraiser, and Pearson lost his judicial appointment. Unsurprisingly, this prompted another lawsuit, which he also lost. In 2020, Pearson was suspended from practicing law for 90 days as a result of his actions in Pearson v. Chung . But for bringing new meaning to the phase “I’ll sue the pants off of you,” his place in legal history is secure.

From Judge to Nobel Peace Prize Winner The Impact of U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of New York

Not a lot of people know about the impact their local federal offices may have, but the truth may surprise you.

In October 2021, for the first time in 232 years, a black prosecutor was appointed the U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which The New York Times describes as “the most powerful federal law enforcement office in Manhattan.” His name is Damian Williams. But why is it so powerful, and why do people refer to the U.S. Attorney of SDNY as a highly “storied office”? The position is almost as old as the nation itself — for good reason. The first court session of the District of New York was held on the first Tuesday of November 1789 in lower Manhattan, presided over by Judge James Duane, who was appointed by President Washington. It was the first court to sit under the new United States Constitution, and even preceded the United States Supreme Court by a few months. The District Office eventually split into Northern and Southern Districts in 1814. The SDNY refers to areas that encompass millions of people, including the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx in New York City, along with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties. You might think that’s already a steady stream of complex criminal cases to handle, but cases aren’t always limited to their district. The district also handles cases that cross U.S. borders, which can include international crime. They prosecute a broad array of criminal conduct of “every conceivable magnitude,” from terrorism, white collar crime, cybercrime, gang violence, to civil rights violations. According to their website, the office “litigates some of the most complex and significant civil cases the Department of Justice handles.” Over the SDNY’s long history, successors of the office have gone on to serve as Supreme Court justices, U.S. attorneys general, secretaries of war and homeland security, FBI director, police commissioner, Manhattan district attorney, and New York City mayor. Another, who served in the 1880s, later won a Nobel Peace Prize.

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FEEL JOYOUS AT WORK AGAIN

4 TIPS TO FIND HAPPINESS WITHIN YOUR CAREER People are quitting their jobs more than ever. COVID-19 has made a lot of people unwilling to endure burnout at work, whether due to work conditions or staff shortages. Others are feeling a lack of social interaction while at work. Workers want to enjoy their jobs again and feel more like themselves. If you or someone you know is going through these emotions, just know you’re not alone. Here a natural energizer that can help you enjoy your work life more. 2. You’ve spent a lot of time expanding your business, supporting your team, and focusing on your professional growth. But don’t forget why you began your career. Why did you choose it? Sometimes people can depriving yourself of human interaction that can provide you enjoyment. Simply talking to someone you trust is beneficial because you have a chance to be heard.

4. Instead of thinking about the things you want or the things you don’t want to do, appreciate the little things. Think about the people you work with and the memories you have created. We tend to gloss over the small things, but these can be the most impactful. Working during a pandemic, and in general, can take a toll on you and your goals. But remember your worth and everything you’ve accomplished. Keep these tips in mind if you ever find yourself overwhelmed with your career. You’re not alone in your experience — keep pushing forward!

are a few tips from the Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today about finding joy at work. 1. Find your strengths and add them to your daily routine. Identify when you felt the most energized at work and ask yourself what you were doing in these situations to feel that way. Try to find ways you can add more of these situations to your daily schedule. Capitalizing on what you’re good at is

lose motivation and inspiration in their career because they forget why they began that journey. Discover what made you love what you do and keep that feeling present every day. You will find more passion in your work when you understand your “why.” 3. Most people’s No. 1 reason for loving their job is the people they work with. Engage with your co-workers. If you disconnect from your colleagues, you’re

CHICKEN WITH LEMON HERB SAUCE

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland with this citrusy chicken!

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

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1/3 cup mint, chopped

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4 boneless chicken breasts

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1 1/2 tsp pepper

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1 clove of garlic, minced

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1 lemon, for juice and zest

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1/4 tsp salt

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1. Preheat oven to 450 F. DIRECTIONS

2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed.

5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Read This Before Starting a New Business in 2022 2 Why U.S. Attorneys From SDNY Are an Important Local Office

The Case of the $54 Million Pants

3 Remember the Little Things!

Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce

4 Why Hobbies Are Important

SKILLS THAT ENRICH US

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY

January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren't just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why! HOBBIES ARE STRESS RELIEVERS. Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time. HOBBIES ALSO PROVIDE EUSTRESS . Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under-stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures.

HOBBIES OFFER A SOCIAL OUTLET. Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you! HOBBIES DEVELOP PATIENCE. When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching!

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