The King in Alice in Wonderland said, “Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” For strategic planning, I agree with the first part, but vehemently disagree with the second. Don’t stop! Keep looking, moving, and revising as needed. The world changes; your business changes. Why shouldn’t your … Read more
Introduction Not all business information is created equal, especially when it comes to legal protection. Companies often use the terms “trade secrets” and “confidential information” interchangeably, but under Wisconsin law, the distinction is meaningful and can significantly impact both risk exposure as well as available remedies. Understanding how these categories of information differ is essential … Read more
More and more, I hear some version of the same question from business owners: “We made something valuable with the help of AI. Can we protect it?” Sometimes the “something” is obvious, like marketing copy, a logo, a photo, a product description, a training guide, or software code. Sometimes it is less obvious but more … Read more
A lot of the businesses we work with are experimenting with AI tools – drafting content, summarizing data, even building internal workflows. And understandably so: these tools are accessible, affordable, and increasingly powerful. But we’re also seeing a familiar pattern emerge. AI is easy to use, and just as easy to misuse. If you’re a … Read more
In today’s digital era, the world of intellectual property is evolving rapidly. With technology making the technical aspects of filing trademark applications more accessible than ever, it might seem like the process is becoming straightforward. And to a certain extent, it is. With user-friendly USPTO interfaces, AI-driven tools, and abundant resources, the barriers to entry … Read more
With the 🍂 Midwest weather looking like it should in mid-October, we offer you a poem along with a photo of Lola this week. Fall, Leaves, Fall by Emily Brontë Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;Lengthen night and shorten day;Every leaf speaks bliss to meFluttering from the autumn tree.I shall smile when wreaths of snowBlossom … Read more
We are in the Fourth Quarter of the calendar year. That means that all the stuff that needs to be done by December 31, 2024 are coming due really soon. Many, however, don’t realize that until around Thanksgiving, and then it is a mad dash. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some … Read more
I’m a little busy. Most of our clients know my name from receiving invoices, but with 20 years of banking experience, I do a lot of complementary financial activity behind the scenes as well. I document passthrough expenses, reconcile our financial activity internally to make it easier for our accountants, and ensure that the attorney’s … Read more
First, read my article about goals published by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Back already? Great! I’ve convinced you that goals matter. They help guide priorities. They provide freedom, catalysts, and momentum. So, let’s get started. What makes a good goal? I’m sure you’ve heard of SMART goals, but I encourage you to take SMARTIES. … Read more
For many recent law school grads, today is the day to sit for the dreaded bar exam. When non-lawyers ask me about the experience, they usually end up with a pained expression and tell me how glad they are to not have to do that themselves. Now that I have distance from the experience, it’s … Read more