Stephanie L. Stenberg

Stephanie L. Stenberg Stephanie L. Stenberg Rhoades McKee PC 161 Ottawa N.W., Suite 600 Grand Rapids, MI Direct: Stephanie focuses her practice in business law, tax law and estate planning. Chair of the Business and Taxation Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association Currently pursuing a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Taxation at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association, the Grand Rapids Young Professionals, aimWest, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), Downtown Alliance, West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology and InForum. Graduated from Residential College at the University of Michigan in She received her J.D. in 2006 from Wayne State University.

Stephanie L. Stenberg Where Business Meets Technology: Business Law Bootcamp for BarCamp BarCampGR August 21-22, 2009

Stephanie L. Stenberg “Starting Your Business” Business Plan-Resources, Goals, Steps Financing SBTDC and Other Resources (Ryerson Library) Incentives The Importance of Having a Professional Team Attorneys Accountants Bankers

Stephanie L. Stenberg Choice of Entity “Doing business as” (DBA) issues Business Entity Options Special Intellectual Property Issues What Does Forming an Entity Involve? Talk to members of your professional team: Accountant Attorney

Stephanie L. Stenberg The Contract Relationship Offer, Acceptance, and Consideration Written vs. Oral What’s In Your Contract? Suing Companies around the world or where you only know them virtually; important contract provisions to protect yourself What Happens When The Contract Is Breached? Damages Equitable Relief and Injunctions

Stephanie L. Stenberg How are You Compensated? Freelance (aka Independent Contractor) vs. Employee Control/Exclusivity Worker’s Compensation Self-Employment Tax v Withholding Benefits Economic Reality Test

Stephanie L. Stenberg Your Work: Who Owns It? Employee v. Independent Contractor Protecting Online Images of Your Work Freelancing/Submitting Your Work Query Letter/Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreement Limited v Unlimited Editions Fair Use

Stephanie L. Stenberg Nondisclosure, Noncompete & Nonsolicitation Agreements When you generally sign these Agreements Analyze the Scope of the Agreement: Customers Geography Time Period If you breach the Agreement: Injunctive Relief Most Effective Approach: Analyze on the front end, it’s generally much cheaper than waiting to see what happens when you breach the agreement(s)

Stephanie L. Stenberg Being “The Boss” Hiring Employees Subcontractors Contracts Working with Other Companies on a Regular Basis to Bid Projects- protecting yourself

Stephanie L. Stenberg Two Types of Law Practice: Litigation (as seen on TV) vs. Transactional Law (not on TV for a reason) When you need a litigator versus a transactional attorney How much do attorneys charge? Hourly, Per Project, Flat Fee, Contingency and Retainers Finding a Lawyer: Grand Rapids Bar Association Word of mouth Evidence: “paper your file” ADR/Arbitration/Mediation

Stephanie L. Stenberg It All Comes Back to Your Team You are in business because you are an expert in your field Your time is likely worth more if you spend it working on your business than if you try to master accounting, law, real estate, insurance, and all other fields that take time away from your specialty. Having a Team of Professionals to Help You Manage Your Business Allows You to Focus on What You Do Best

Stephanie L. Stenberg Questions & Answers

Stephanie L. Stenberg Stephanie L. Stenberg