As I reflect back on 2020, what I have noticed most of all is that COVID-19 instantly proved remote work was possible for many people and industries. Workplace traditions and norms toppled like dominoes. The office, in-person meetings and the daily commute fell first. Then the nine-to-five schedule, vacations and private home lives were threatened. As old norms vanished, a rapid procession of novel technologies marched uninvited into our homes – we had to master Zoom meeting etiquette, compassionate and astute e-mail practices, navigate surveillance, juggle caring responsibilities. The list goes on.
The legal profession rallied and despite the courts being closed for anything but urgent matters we soldiered on – remote hearings, mediations, interviews and dispute resolutions being conducted virtually have saved us not only time but clients have benefited from reduced fees due to these new efficiencies. We have not strayed from our vision of delivering personal service to our clients and reliable, well-researched, actionable advice, distilling complexity in a complex environment and providing our employees a place to grow.
The late activist David Graeber described the failure to achieve Keynes’s 15-hour work week as a missed opportunity but COVID-19 has started conversations about alternative futures where work and leisure are better balanced, time is managed effectively, virtual meetings reveal better outcomes and successes and businesses continue to grow and thrive and adjust to the new normal. Quite frankly, we think the new normal should now just be called normal – who wants to go back to sitting in traffic – not me, that’s for sure.
In this edition we have launched a series of articles on all things business – how to buy a business, the removal of directors, selling a business, restraints of trade, business interruption claims, dealing with debtors; I think you’ll find it’s more complicated than you think.
So, back to the business at hand.
Yours in law
PJ
Are you considering selling your business?
Much needs to be considered when drawing up a sale of business agreement. A ‘simple deal’ can be more complicated than you ever imagined.
The removal of directors from a company
Given the amendments to employment contracts during this time of crisis, removing directors from a company is not as easy as you may think…
Is Restraint of Trade enforceable if you are entrenched?
G&V Inc. have seen an increase in disputes over Restraint of Trade clauses, especially for those employees who have been retrenched.
Investing in a business: are you buying shares or buying the business?
Should a buyer purchase shares in a company or purchase assets of the business directly from the company itself?