The Entrepreneur's Law School - 2010

For the small business owner who wants to know the law!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Entrepreneurs Law School will be held at:
Florida Gulf Coast University
Student Union Building (Building #17 with large clock)
10501 FGCU Blvd. S.
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565

239-745-3700


The 2010 Entrepreneurs Law School is presented by
The Small Business Development Center
Center for Leadership and Innovation
Florida Gulf Coast University

For Information about session content:
Call Dr. Beth Hagan at 239-947-8085 or email her at BHagan7@aol.com.

Sponsored by:




The Sessions

Sessions are listed alphabetically by presenter's last name.

The Changing Landscape for Condo and HOA Boards and Associations
Jennifer K. Birmingham and Jonathan L. Innis

Changes in the Economy, Liability Exposure and Legislation have created a constantly shifting foundation for Condo and Homeowners Associations and their Boards. Learn some the more recent changes and the affect on you and the function of the Boards.


Defending Against Foreclosure. Yes, You Can.
Cecilia Deifik

Many people think if the borrower is delinquent that there are no defenses. In fact, residential foreclosures do present significant opportunity for defense and workouts due to heavy regulation and current events. We will also briefly address defense of commercial foreclosure, for owners and tenants.


The Entrepreneur's Legal Checklist
Aaron Farmer

Entrepreneurs are required to comply with a bewildering number of legal regulations. This session provides participants with a legal checklist to evaluate the legal health of their businesses.


Legal Considerations in Buying or Selling a Business
Donna M. Flammang

There are many considerations that an entrepreneur who is contemplating buying or selling a business needs to consider before beginning the process. Information on the newest Angel Group in South West Florida will also be presented.


Business Entity Selection
Steven Gibbs

Is your business entity the right one for you? This session includes a discussion of the four most popular business legal forms and additional forms that could be considered. It is an important session because creditors and IRS issues have impact upon the appropriateness of the legal entity.


Common Pitfalls of Contracts
Cheryl L. Hastings

Contracts and other agreements often contain language that is overlooked or misunderstood. This session guides you through important contract provisions you need to know and understand.


Employee Handbooks: An Important Tool for the Smallest Business
Sylvia E. Heldreth

Every small business needs the protection of an employee handbook. This session addresses the handbook's essential components that provide protection, clarify policies and minimize the challenges inherent in employment law.

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Business Formation and Taxation
Jeff Janerio

The two most common mistakes of new business owners are: (1) They do not know the new tax advantages that help them and (2) They only know old business structures that hurt them.


Ensuring Synergy Between Your Estate Plan and Your Business Succession Plan
Mark R. Klym

Ever been confused by the different directions of your business plan and your personal estate plan? This session provides insight into bringing your plans together to create more positive results with your plans working together in a unified direction.


Protecting Your Intellectual Property - "It's Mine NOT Yours."
Lawrence H. Kolin

Why spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours developing up and identity, services and products while leaving them unprotected from intellectual theft by competitors? This session provides some easy and inexpensive steps that can be taken upfront to protect your business property.


When the Immigration Service Comes Knocking: How to be Prepared for an Immigration Audit/Investigation.
Lawrence M. Lebowitz

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, along with its enforcement arm, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been "cracking down" on employers (including unannounced on-site visits) to ensure compliance with immigration laws. This presentation will review all areas where compliance is required and assist employers in making sure that they are indeed in compliance and, therefore, prepared in the event of an immigration audit/investigation.


Legal Advice: Where, When, How, and Why?
Rachael S. Loukonen

Entrepreneurs encounter legal issues on a daily basis whether they recognize the significance of their actions or not. Knowing when to hire an attorney, why attorneys are an important asset, how to find the right attorney, and how to get the most out of your attorney's service is a powerful tool.


The Entrepreneur's Guideline to Negotiating and Entering into a Commercial Lease
John S. Sarrett

Most Entrepreneurs are required to lease commercial space to run and operate their businesses. This session provides participants with a guideline to areas of concern when negotiating and entering into a long-term commercial lease.


Commercial Leasing in the Current Market - Are you getting enough or giving too much?
Ray Schumann, J.D. with Joseph Ariola, KeyBank

With a virtual endless inventory of available space, what are some of the terms and provisions that should be in today's commercial leases? Opportunities abound on both sides of the equation. Learn some of the "ins" and "outs" of you lease.


Immigration Law Seminar
Ricardo Skerrett

Immigrant and non-immigrant visa alternatives for businesses and foreign nationals have become important to many business owners. This session will review business and investor visas available to businesses and foreign nationals.


Employment Law: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know
Mark A. Trank

Employment Law covers a broad and confusing spectrum. This session will highlight some of the major legal pitfalls and compliance issues facing entrepreneurs and their businesses.


Hiring and Firing: Starting and Ending the Employer/Employee Relationship
Paul Valenti

Having the right employees can make or break a small business. This session provides participants with pointers in starting and ending the employment relationship.


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Our Distinguished Faculty for the Day

Jennifer K. Birmingham J.D., Villanova University
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Springs
888-877-7488
jkb@aswmpa.com

Celia Deifik
J.D. University of Florida
Ross, Lanier & Deifik, P.A.
Naples
239-434-7700
CDeifik@naplesattorney.net

Aaron A. Farmer
J.D., Capital University Law School
LLM, University of Florida
Naples
239- 262-2040
AFarmer@us-law.com

Donna M. Flammang
J.D., Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Roetzel & Andress
Ft. Myers
239-338-4204
DFlammang@RALaw.com

Steven Gibbs
J.D., William Mitchell
Gibbs Law Office
Ft. Myers
239-415-7495
Info@GibbsLawFL.com

Cheryl L. Hastings
J.D., University of Florida
Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown, P.A.
Naples
239-514-1000
CHastings@gfpac.com

Sylvia E. Heldreth
J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, CA
Law Offices of Sylvia E. Heldreth, P.A.
Cape Coral
239-542-8899
Sylvia@HeldrethLaw.com

Jonathan L. Innis LLM, University of Miami School of Law
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Springs
888-877-7488
jinnes@aswmpa.com

Jeff Janeiro
J.D. Toledo College of Law
L.L.M, New York University
Law Office of Jeffrey M. Janeiro
Naples
239-513-2324
janeiro@jjlawyers.com

Mark R. Klym
J.D. Ohio Northern University
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Springs
888-877-7488
MKlym@aswmpa.com

Lawrence H. Kolin
J.D., University of Miami
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Springs
888-877-7488
lhk@aswmpa.com

Lawrence M. Lebowitz
J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Cohen & Grigsby
Bonita Springs
412-297-4979
llebowitz@cohenlaw.com

Rachel S. Loukonen
J.D., University of Florida
Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown, P.A.
Naples
239-514-1000
rloukonen@gfpac.com

John S. Sarrett
J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
Naples
239-254-2900
JSarrett@hahnlaw.com

Raymond Schumann
J.D., Louisiana State University
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Springs
888-877-7488
rlschumann@aswmpa.com

Ricardo Skerrett
J.D., Interamerican University School of Law
Ricardo Skerrett Immigration Law Office
Ft. Myers
239-936-0800
ricardoskerrett@gmail.com

Mark A. Trank
J.D., University of Virginia
Becker & Poliakoff
Ft. Myers
239-433-7707
MTrank@Becker-Poliakoff.com

Paul Valenti
Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity
Ft. Myers
239-533-2204
PValenti@leegove.com


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Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Randall P. Henderson
Mayor, City of Ft. Myers

Randall left banking, the youngest Vice President of NCNB National Bank, in 1986 to become CEO of Corbin Henderson Company, a family owned real estate firm. He has been the CEO of Corbin Henderson Company for the past twenty-two years.

Randall has extensive experience in finance and real estate and has managed the day to day operation of the company to its current status as a well regarded management and full service real estate Company. He appreciates the legal issues a small business faces.

Current Affiliations
Mayor, City of Fort Myers, Elected Official
Director, First Community Bank of SW Florida
Director, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
Salvation Army Advisory Board
Ex Officio Member, City of Fort Myers, Conference and Convention Council
President, Edison Pageant of Light
Member, Fort Myers Kiwanis Club
Member, First United Methodist Church
President's Council, Hodges University


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Register

To register for Entrepreneur's Law School 2010:

  • Review the session details on this page
  • Download the 3 page Registration Form
       (The form includes detailed directions)
  • Select the sessions you wish to attend
  • Mail or fax the form to the Small Business Development Center

Online registration will be available soon.

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© FGCU 2009. This is an official FGCU web page.
Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd, S., Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
(239) 590-1000 or (800) 590-3428

Florida Gulf Coast University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.