Collier County Business And Real Estate Law Blog

The importance of employment contracts to attracting good people

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in business formation & planning on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

If you're starting a business and recruiting highly-skilled, experienced people to help you run it, they'll likely expect to have a written employment contract. They probably aren't going to leave a secure, lucrative position with a more-established company to start on this new venture with you with only the promise of a paycheck every two weeks, health insurance and a 401(k).

Each person's employment contract may look somewhat different. However, many upper-level employees may ask for things like a minimum employment term, bonuses and incentive pay in addition to their base salary, a guaranteed severance and a nice benefits package.

Considerations for hiring a property manager

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III on Thursday, August 15, 2019.

Owning a commercial property can be hard work. If you have several properties, or just one, you may benefit from hiring a property manager.

As with any decision regarding your real estate investment, it is not a decision to make lightly. You should consider a few things regarding the property manager you choose to hire.

Hundreds of Floridians are among victims of Ponzi scheme

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in real estate transactions on Monday, August 12, 2019.

The founder and former chief executive officer of a Florida real estate company has pleaded guilty in Miami federal court to a Ponzi scheme that cost investors -- many of them retirees -- a total of $1.3 billion.

The 61-year-old man, Robert Shapiro, who ran the Woodbridge Group of Companies, admitted that he "misappropriated" somewhere in the range of $25 million and $95 million given to him by approximately 9,000 investors. He reportedly used it to purchase property in Aspen, Beverly Hills and other exclusive areas as well as jewelry, vintage wines, artwork and other luxury items. The feds have now taken possession of all of these.

What do you need for a successful Florida startup?

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in business formation & planning on Sunday, August 4, 2019.

Florida has been nicknamed "The New Business Hub." Entrepreneurs who invest their time and money in a business that is part of a booming industry -- such as health, food and beverage and retail -- can find success here in our state if they're able to successfully meet the needs of a population diverse in every way, including age.

Collier County is among the best parts of the state for startups. Of course, so are tourism hubs like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. However, it takes more than a good idea, the right location and a well-thought-out marketing plan to succeed with your Florida startup. Let's look at a few other key ingredients.

What you should know when investing in Florida real estate

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in real estate transactions on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

Florida has the fourth-highest gross domestic product (GDP) of any state in the country, with thriving tourism, aerospace, health care and international banking industries. Therefore, people who have money to invest in real estate can make a considerable profit if they do it correctly.

First, it's essential to determine your investment goals and to have a strategy before you begin. Do you want to build a new property or buy one and fix it up for sale or rental? Do you plan on holding on to the property or "flipping" it?

The advantages of starting a business after 50

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in business formation & planning on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Many people over 50 who have retired (either voluntarily or involuntarily) aren't ready to stop working just yet. They feel like they've still got plenty to contribute. However, they want to do it on their terms and put their time and energy toward something they're passionate about.

For many older people, that means starting their own business. That takes a lot of time, work and possibly capital. However, the chances of success for new business owners over 50 is double what it is for people under 25, according to the Global Institute for Experienced Entrepreneurship -- an organization started by a 70-year-old woman.

Florida real estate broker sentenced to federal prison for fraud

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in real estate transactions on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

This month, a Miami real estate broker and two-time Florida Senate candidate in the 38th District was sentenced to federal prison for defrauding investors and other illegal activities. Anis Blemur is facing a seven-year prison term and another five years of supervised release.

Prosecutors say that Blemur preyed on the people of the Miami community of Little Haiti. These were the very people he promised in his 2016 campaign to empower. (He also ran unsuccessfully for the Florida Senate in 2014.)

You have many rights to protect as a copyright owner

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

Copyright infringement happens more often than you think, although the person who violates copyright law frequently gets away with it.

However, serious penalties exist for anyone found guilty of this crime, and those penalties may include time behind bars.

Selling a parent's Florida home after they're gone

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in Residential Real Estate on Sunday, July 7, 2019.

The death of a parent can be a devastating experience -- no matter how old you are or what a long, full life they had. However, many baby boomers and younger people are finding themselves responsible for dealing with their parents' homes after they're gone. Often, older people continue to live alone in the family home after their spouse dies rather than move to an assisted living facility.

If your parent had a will that named you and perhaps one or more of your siblings the executor(s) of their estate, that can help prevent delays and squabbles in probate court. If your parent designated that the home be sold and the assets from the sale divided among their heirs, you have clear directions.

Anheuser-Busch seeks a be the 'official beer' of video gaming

On behalf of Law Office of Sam J. Saad III posted in intellectual property on Monday, July 1, 2019.

Can you be the "official" beer of an entire sport? Anheuser-Busch (A-B) is going to find out. While many people might not consider video gaming a "sport," many fans would argue otherwise. In fact, video games have become known as "esports."

The famous beverage producer is seeking to carve a niche for itself there. The company has been actively involved in the gaming industry. It has deals with the NBA 2K League and the Overwatch League. Now it has submitted a filing to trademark the phrase "the official beer of esports."