Zak was again invited by the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) to return as a faculty presenter in their entrepreneurial training program on October 8th. This installment of the multi-week training program addresses a range of legal issues typically confronted by small businesses. These issues include selecting a business structure and the
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I led a workshop this evening on the requirements of starting and operating a non-profit under New York state law. Although I’ve regularly presented on nonprofit issues, this was the first presentation since New York’s new non-profit law provisions took effect earlier this month. The presentation covered
Read more →The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the USPTO today issued a split decision finding that the football team name “Redskins” is disparaging of Native Americans. Among the many reasons that a trademark may be blocked from being registered in the first place, or cancelled if it has
Read more →Zak is looking forward to returning to the entrepreneurial training program organized by the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) on March 31st. This installment will address various legal issues that small businesses typically encounter – from formation through handling legal disputes. WEDC’s supports women seeking to build successful new businesses.t premier source of training,
Read more →On February 20th, I’ll be presenting a workshop covering the ins and outs of launching and running a nonprofit organization in New York. New York state recently passed a slew of very important changes that will be affecting both existing nonprofits that should be taking steps to
Read more →I was recently asked to comment on the current yoga patent controversy surrounding a patent application filed by Yogaglo, a company that provides streaming yoga classes. Subsequent to filing their application, the company sent cease and desist letters to numerous other providers of online yoga instruction, including YogaInternational and
Read more →Without delving into the politics behind the government shutdown, many of my clients are curious about whether and how the current shutdown will be affecting any matters they have pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or applications that they’re considering submitting. Because the USPTO generates
Read more →Zak has been invited to present a legal basics session of the entrepreneurial training program offered by the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC). WEDC’s goal is to support and to empower women building successful businesses. It is the premier source of training, advisory services, and access to capital throughout Westchester County and
Read more →I was delighted to be invited back to the New School again this year to give a guest lecture on Thursday, September 27. The topic was the legal structures that are available to social enterprises. Social enterprises, operated by social entrepreneurs, are business entities that are formed
Read more →There’s still time to sign up for this Thursday’s small business primer on intellectual property. Small businesses put a lot of effort into developing their identity and brands. This intellectual property can be a significant expense and an even great asset. Our discussion will cover the types
Read more →On Thursday, August 22, I’ll be doing a presentation on intellectual property issues that small businesses are likely to encounter. Small businesses put a lot of effort into developing their identity and brands. Producing valuable intellectual property can be a significant expense; direct and indirect revenues related
Read more →Not just lawyers that offer pro bono services to good causes. Local ad firm @AdsWestchester gives back! prnewswire.com/news-releases/…
Read more →Zak Shusterman is honored to have joined the corporate board of the Hudson Valley News Corporation. The Hudson Valley News Corporation is the parent company of The Hudson Independent, the only newspaper covering the Rivertowns region of Westechester, NY. The Hudson Independent is the area’s most respected
Read more →The IRS is holding a free phone forum (aka teleconference) entitled “Charities and their Volunteers”. Most charities rely substantially on volunteer labor; some are operated by volunteers exclusively. This session will cover that various tax rules that are involved in when volunteers are used and how to
Read more →A hearty congratulations to the staff and supporters of client Dance/NYC. Dance/NYC recently completed the complex process of establishing itself as an independent entity, serving as the support structure for all things dance-related in the greater New York City metropolitan area. Dance/NYC was initially a project Dance/USA, the
Read more →A hearty congratulations to client Community Food Pantry of Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown. The Pantry will be honored with a prestigious award tomorrow morning at a ceremony hosted by Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill. The Food Bank for Westchester will be presenting the Michal Winter Memorial Award for Agency Excellence to the
Read more →For many tax exempt organizations, May 15th is the deadline for making your annual filing to the IRS in order to maintain your tax exempt status. Read on to learn if this is deadline for your organization and which version of Form 990 you should use. Annual
Read more →Client Corbin Hill Farm has once again made news, this time for the role New School alumni have played in its development and growth. A new documentary has been produced by a team at the New School, where founder Dennis Derryck is faculty in Milano School of International
Read more →Client My Pet Chicken was featured in the Huffington Post on May 8, in an article entitled “10 Oddball Businesses That Actually Exist“. My Pet Chicken is identified as one of the so-called oddballs – a small business “founded on unorthodox ideas” but with a proven track
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NEWS: Congress considers permanently extending important charitable giving incentives
Congress is currently considering extending three important charitable giving incentives that have expired. These incentives address donations related to (i) IRA rollovers, (ii) food inventories, and (iii) land conservation easements. Federal law promotes a policy encouraging individuals to support charitable organization by allowing itemized deductions for contributions.