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District of Columbia Business Law Questions & Answers
Q: Strategic Mediation Services contacted me stating I owed this huge sum from 1999. Arbitration started 2019

Company called and said I would have to go to court if I dont pay. They had my social security number and old employment from 1999 which no longer exists.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 20, 2024

A Washington, DC attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Before involving attorneys to review the file with you to examine legal theories that would serve as possible defenses, the first step might be to find out if some kind of mix-up resulted in the bill, given... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, International Law, Internet Law and Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What legal pathways or considerations should I be aware of to still work for my online business from the Bahamas after t

Hello,

I am currently on an OPT visa in the United States, running my online business which is incorporated in the U.S. As my visa is about to expire, I would like to explore options for continuing to operate my online business from the Bahamas, where I am a citizen. What legal pathways or... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

As you prepare to transition from the U.S. on an OPT visa to working from the Bahamas for your online business, it's crucial to address both immigration and business operation considerations. Firstly, ensure your business complies with U.S. laws regarding foreign operation. This includes... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Business Law, Family Law and Tax Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My spouse refuse to show his business, tax return and a discovery process of a divorce , how can I get a copy of his tax

My spouse claimed the business is not in his name, and refused to show business tax return

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In a divorce proceeding, both parties are typically required to disclose all financial assets and liabilities, including business interests and tax returns, through the discovery process. If your spouse refuses to voluntarily provide this information, you can use formal legal tools within the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Business Law, Family Law and Tax Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My spouse refuse to show his business, tax return and a discovery process of a divorce , how can I get a copy of his tax

My spouse claimed the business is not in his name, and refused to show business tax return

Laurence L. Socci
Laurence L. Socci
answered on Feb 14, 2024

You would have to file a Motion to Compel with the court. You need to show that you asked for the records and he refused to provide them. You need to show that you are entitled to the records as well. The court will review your motion and rule on it.

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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Business Formation and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My single-member LLC is registered in Washington, DC. How do I continue my LLC when moving out of DC and to New York?

My business (marketing/website design) is registered as an LLC in Washington, DC. We’re looking to move full time to New York. I’m planning on keeping my existing client base.

Is it possible to keep the LLC registered in Washington, DC, even without a Washington, DC address? If not,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

Yes, it is possible for your DC-registered single member LLC to continue operating even once you move out of the state. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

- You can maintain your DC LLC registration even without a DC physical address. Using a DC PO Box as your registered agent...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Copyright, Business Formation and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can i sue an online page shop if they don’t have terms and conditions?

I ordered a camera online a few months ago online from a well known instagram page they did not write that it was being sold for parts or that it didn't work when i got it the camera did not work and they refused to refund me but they never sent me terms of service so can i sue them for that?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 21, 2024

You may have grounds to take legal action if the online shop misrepresented the product or failed to disclose that it was for parts or not functional. When a seller doesn’t provide clear terms, you can still rely on consumer protection laws that require honest descriptions of goods. Misleading or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Management refuses to reimburse for tools stolen on the job

Our maintenance chief had his tools stolen while working for our management company. They are refusing to either reimburse him or replace the tools. In addition, he pays for his gas and parking while on the job even though he is often sent by management to numerous buildings. What are his rights... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 18, 2024

A D.C. attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for five weeks. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney as to district-specific provisions of law, in settings like this, it could come down to the agreement/contract between the parties and disclaimers for responsibility... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Hey, I was wondering if an immigration consultant business is legal in VA? I didn’t find any restrictions anywhere in VA

I’m not an attorney

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Oct 18, 2022

Even generally, providing any immigration advice without a valid law licence will constitute an unlawful law practice. I would be very apprehensive to do that.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Changing from sole proprietorship to LLC: do I need to get my clients to re-sign their contracts with me?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 26, 2020

If your written client contracts do not prohibit assignment of the contract to others (standard boilerplate provisions often are included that do), then you can simply notify all clients that you have formally organized your business as an LLC and have assigned all existing contracts to that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Law and Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: Agreeing to a company ToS (like Amazon) gives it the right to own funds and not belong to them

Amazon holds billions of dollars of merchants whose funds have been frozen due to a ToS violation. In fact, it is their unethical way of making interest-free money and using it at will. Any solution

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Nov 19, 2019

Wow.

Is your name Jeff Bezos? Or perhaps you work for Amazon in a very high-level operations position?

If not then please tell us (1) where you got this unbelievable information and (2) what your reason is for publishing this unbelievable information publicly here on Justia?...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for District of Columbia on
Q: Is it allowed to use logos of automotive companies in the commercial video? The video shows the progress of the industry

I'm a video editor and was hired to make an internal use video for one company that wants to expand their business. As a part of the video, we need short animation showing the race for electrification in the automotive industry. I need to include logos of the GM, TESLA, NISSAN, and other... View More

Andrew Zulieve
Andrew Zulieve
answered on Dec 17, 2018

Although such use may not amount to a trademark (or perhaps copyright) infringement, my suggestion is to contact each company and obtain their written authorizations to use their respective logos.

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: I want to set up business of marijuana cookies in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC
Bernard Crane
Bernard Crane
answered on Nov 29, 2018

I hope you like the color orange. You might be wearing it a lot.

In DC marijuana has recently been legalized, but ONLY for personal use. In DC if you are over 21 you can purchase, grow or possess up to two ounces of marijuana for your own use. You can transfer up to one ounce of marijuana...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Should I make an LLC and get paid through that, or just receive a W-2 like every other employee?

My new employer (there's only 2 of us in the company so far) has suggested I form an LLC so he can pay me through that instead of giving me a check each pay day like a normal employee would. He says the point of doing it this way is so I'll be taxed less and get to keep more of my money.... View More

Andrellos Mitchell
Andrellos Mitchell
answered on Oct 22, 2018

It sounds like a dumb idea. You are taxed as a sole proprietor, which for tax purposes means you are taxed as an individual. The LLC is more about putting a veil between you and the company to protect your assets in the event the company is sued.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Mergers & Acquisitions for District of Columbia on
Q: Should we merge our companies or just change the name?

We have two different companies that basically do the same business. 1 partner is the sole owner of Company A and a 30% owner in company B. He wants to merge Company A into B and do business under Company B. The reason is because Company B is a construction company and we want to use the... View More

Pawnee A. Davis
Pawnee A. Davis pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 30, 2018

Changing the name would have no effect. So, I would advise you make the businesses one business. You have not said what type of business Company A is. But should they have the same or similar purposes it should be fine. However, I do urge you to consult with an attorney so that he or she can get... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Store charging my card without my permission

Can a store charge my debit card without my permission or without physically having the debit card for a purchase that I already paid for but they claim that they have not receive the payment even though I have receipts and a bank statement verifying that the payment was already made?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 12, 2017

They would need your permission to charge your debit card. You can report the matter to the police and to your bank. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Having more than 10% of a corps shares, is one always considered an affiliate regardless of the holding period?

I am considered an affiliate owning more than 10 percent of a company's outstanding shares. Will I be subject to the affiliate status and be restricted on the volume and timeframe of selling regardless of the six month holding period?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Mar 24, 2017

See: https://www.sec.gov/reportspubs/investor-publications/investorpubsrule144htm.html

See: https://media2.mofo.com/documents/faqrule144_145.pdf

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: I'm selling makeup online on my website but not real brands just from china, is it okay or i'm going to have troubles?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Mar 22, 2017

Make sure you're not violating any intellectual property rights and that you're properly licensed to sell such items. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for District of Columbia on
Q: How can I get back my money paid for a service that I never used?

I signed a contract agreement with a hotel to get an event service. The hotel's obligation was to provide dinner for my 300 guests. And my obligation was to pay 50$ for each guest. I made down-payment for 150 guests at initial, and agreed to pay the remaining one week before the event day. The... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 15, 2016

Looks like the contract you signed says no refunds. It's important to let an attorney review it for you in full. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What damages are awarded if a cooperative board of Directors did not abide by a court order.

The board refused to acknowledge a members share certificate, but the court found validity through testimony that the share certificate issued was valid by prior Board of Directors to be valid. If the board is being retaliatory against the member and refuses to acknowledge the member.

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 9, 2016

You're not providing a lot of necessary facts here, yet you're asking for a specific answer. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What does business affiliation in a state mean?

Can it be a business that is licensed in state A but has a physical business address in B, therefore has business affiliation in state B? Or does it mean needing a connection to a business licensed in state B to do business in state B?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 9, 2016

It sounds like you're dealing with a jurisdiction question, which can be complicated. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or... View More

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