Level up on how different Virginia laws affect your business, and learn how we are continually improving our general counsel services to meet our clients’ needs

Piercing the corporate veil is an exceptional remedy

Virginia has a strong policy in favor of recognizing the corporate entity as separate and distinct from its members. The corporate form protects the owners of a corporation from liability in a lawsuit against the corporation. “Piercing the corporate veil” is a phrase that describes a situation in which the corporation’s limited liability protections are
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Liberty Mutual v. Copart of Connecticut: Understanding the Difference Between Duty to Defend and Duty to Indemnify.

A recent Fifth Circuit decision highlights the difference between an insurer’s duty to defend and a duty to indemnify and emphasizes that business owners should fully understand their insurance policies to ensure they will receive the benefits they expect under such policies. Duty to Defend vs. Duty to Indemnify  An insurer’s duty to defend means
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Ask General Counsel: Can a contract be formed through email communications?

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 1/27/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, the attorneys at General Counsel, P.C., discuss whether a contract can be formed simply through email communications (spoiler, the answer is yes). Parties often believe that to have a valid contract, it is necessary to have
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Ask General Counsel: Why your business or nonprofit needs a contract management solution

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 12/29/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, General Counsel, PC, a law firm in McLean that since 2004 has been representing businesses, nonprofit entities and individuals throughout the Washington area, discusses the importance of having a contract management solution – and offers its
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Ask General Counsel: Use care (and caution) in drafting contracts

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 12/15/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, the attorneys of General Counsel, P.C. discuss what many may believe a boring subject – the importance of clear and concise language in contracts. However, if you have ever been involved in a contract dispute, perhaps
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Ask General Counsel: What to do if you (or your business) has been sued

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 11/23/2022 Image from Inside Nova Regardless of the success of a business, business owners run the risk of being sued. Litigation and lawsuits can be stressful, costly and time-consuming. However, there are steps business owners can take to help better protect their businesses and put them in the best position
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Use Care (and Caution) in Drafting Contracts

Contracts are critical in the business world. Employment agreements, purchase contracts, and non-disclosure agreements are only a few examples of the various contracts that play a large role in the success of a business. However, not all contracts are created equal. Each agreement should be drafted specifically to address the specific parties to a matter
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Protecting Your Business in a Divorce Webinar

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Ask General Counsel: Can federal or government contractor employees use marijuana?

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 9/08/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, we discuss whether federal or government contractor employees can use marijuana.  Located in McLean, the attorneys of General Counsel, P.C. have been representing employers, non-profit entities, and individuals since 2004. While many states have enacted legislation
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Who Breached First? Virginia Court Offers Guidance on Breach of Contract Claims

Who Breached First? Virginia Court Offers Guidance on Breach of Contract Claims
In a recent case, the Western District of Virginia provided guidance on breach of contract claims. Here, the court made clear that if one party to a contract materially breaches the contract, subsequent breaches by the other party cannot be the basis for a breach of contract claim. Under the first material breach doctrine, if
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Ask General Counsel: What should I consider during a business divorce?

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 7/19/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, the attorneys of General Counsel P.C., based in McLean, discuss what a business owner should consider when their business relationship fails. Business relationships fail for many different reasons: Business partners may have long-term disagreements, a change
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Businesses May Now Need To Plan Against Successor Liability After Asset Sales: What To Know

Businesses May Now Need To Plan Against Successor Liability After Asset Sales: What To Know
As businesses grow, business owners may start to think about further expansion and even consider acquiring another company’s operations. Typically, these acquisitions can be structured in a way that limits the potential liabilities for the purchaser company based on obligations on the seller company and the assets being acquired. However, even if a business owner
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Ask General Counsel: Top 10 issues that should be addressed in a services agreement

Ask General Counsel: Top 10 issues that should be addressed in a services agreement
Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 3/8/2022 Image from Inside Nova Just like the expression “good fences make good neighbors,” you can say that “good contracts make good business partners.” Time after time clients come to General Counsel P.C. with a business dispute.  We ask to see their contact and they either don’t have
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Ask General Counsel: What to Know About Bid Protests

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 2/24/2022 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, we pay homage to the Washington area’s number one business – the federal government.  Specifically, we will discuss what you need to know about bid protests. General Counsel, P.C.’s Government Contracts Practice Group, led by Craig Lawless, has represented
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Ask General Counsel: How to get government contracts with small business certification

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 2/11/2022 Image from Inside Nova Craig Lawless, who leads General Counsel PC’s Government Contracts Practice and is editor of the Bid Protest Weekly, provides an overview of SBA Contracting Programs.     Question:  How can small businesses leverage assistance from the federal government? The federal government wants to help
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Eastern District of Virginia Finds in Favor of Employer After Employees Acquired and Disclosed Confidential Information to Competitor

In a recent case, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia sided with the employer seeking injunctive relief after employees acquired confidential information and disclosed that information to a competitor, causing irreparable harm to the employer. This case should serve as a warning to employees, as well as guidance for employers who
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Ask General Counsel: Overview of Vaccine Mandates

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 10/27/02021 Image from Inside Nova Vaccine mandates are impacting hundreds of thousands of employees in the Washington region and across the country.  Here is a summary of the coverage, legal exemptions, and accommodations for the pending vaccine mandates.  For more information or legal assistance, contact Merritt Green, who
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Ask General Counsel: Religious exemptions to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 9/29/2021 Image from Inside Nova In this edition of Ask General Counsel, we provide an overview of religious exemptions to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies.  This is an issue that employers and employees are struggling to understand and determine their respective rights.  This article is intended as a brief overview
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Ask General Counsel: Legal Considerations When Starting a Business

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 8/25/2021 Image from Inside Nova There are many legal considerations when starting a business.  As attorneys, we are fortunate to help business owners start and operate businesses.  Unfortunately, we also see all the mistakes made by business owners.  Hopefully, the below outline provides guidance that can direct and
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Ask General Counsel: What is my personal liability as a business owner?

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 8/11/2021 Image from Inside Nova Corporations, LLCs, and other organizations are formed to shield their owners from liability. This protection is unique to corporations, as sole proprietorships or general partnerships do not have liability protection; they allow for the assets of both the business and the owner to be seized
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