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(Minneapolis) – Attorney Scott J. Seiler was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Seiler is a principal member of SeilerSchindel, PLLC, representing businesses and families in a wide variety of legal needs and pursuits. Mr. Seiler received the award at the TwinWest Chamber of Commerice 2012 Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 24, 2012.
“As a successful business owner, Scott exemplifies true entrepreneurial leadership as demonstrated through his passion, commitment to community, risk-taking, technical skills, and creativity,” says TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Bruce Nustad. “With the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year award, the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce recognizes Scott and the entire team at SeilerSchindel, PLLC, as a strong asset in our community.”
The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to an established and successful leader, honoring their entrepreneurial spirit. The nomination process included written applications, business operation summaries and lengthy screening interviews for the twelve candidates. The three finalists underwent in-depth questioning and panel interviews.
“SeilerSchindel prides itself on being a different kind of law practice,” says Scott Seiler. “We are a unique team of lawyers, having a reputation for being focused largely on establishing meaningful, personal ties with all clients.”
Seiler has been solving problems and serving people since grade school, when he began working alongside his father in the family business. “I learned by watching and absorbing lessons about how to treat people and assist them with their needs,” he says. “Now, after years of experience in the business world, we can drill down and spot practical and legal problems in a transaction, organization or corporate structure that others simply don’t see.”
SeilerSchindel has been a proud member of the TwinWest Chamber since 2009, and its leadership and staff are heavily involved through sponsorships, networking events, as well creating affiliations with other members. These opportunities not only help to grow businesses, but also improve the greater community.
TwinWest is reputably the most active chamber of commerce in the region, with over 900 members representing a variety of businesses and industries, ranging from national and internationally renowned corporations and industrially driven manufacturers, and includes home-based businesses and companies involved in the service and professional sectors.
For more information, please contact Bobbi Dahlstrom, SeilerSchindel, via email at bdahlstrom@SeilerSchindel.com or phone 952.358.7408. Media requests can be directed to Wendy Khabie, Khabie Communications, 763-443-8083 or wkhabie@aol.com.
A DWI offense comes with more than criminal penalties, and these consequences have become harsher in recent years. These administrative consequences include driver’s license revocation, license plate impoundment, vehicle forfeiture, and the new kid on the block: ignition interlock. These consequences are complicated and make hiring an attorney for any DWI offense essential.
Any DWI offense results in the revocation of the defendant’s driver’s license. In a first time DWI with no aggravating factors (see our prior blog post on prior convictions for the list of aggravating factors), a defendant faces a revoked driver’s license for 90 days. While it may be possible to obtain permission to drive to work or school, this is not a guarantee. The revocation period increases for future offenses or if aggravating factors are present, and may result in cancellation of a driver’s license for at least one year.
License plate impoundment occurs on a second DWI offense, or on a first in certain circumstances. If impoundment is required, the person must turn in any plates for any car owned, leased, or registered to the defendant, even if it is jointly owned by another. Special plates may be issued to replace the plates surrendered; these are more commonly known as “whiskey plates.” However, these plates are not issued in all cases.
A first- or second-degree DWI results in the forfeiture of the defendant’s vehicle, or if a DWI is committed while the person has certain DWI-related driver’s license restrictions. If a vehicle is forfeited, it is either kept for government use or sold. Forfeiture occurs upon the mere DWI charge, not upon conviction, and the vehicle will be returned if the defendant is not convicted.
Ignition Interlock is the new kid on the block, offered as an option since July 1, 2011. Ignition Interlock is a device installed on a defendant’s car which the driver must blow into before the car will start. If the driver’s breath registers at a 0.02 or higher, the car will not start. Ignition Interlock is offered as an option for at least one year on all second DWI offenses within 10 years, and on a first time DWI offense in certain circumstances. This allows a person to continue to drive, but does require the person to pay for participation in the program. A person must also apply to be a part of this program, and approval is not guaranteed.
If a company’s articles operate as its constitution, then its bylaws are its statutes. Articles give the big picture of the company – identifying the company’s purpose and decision makers. Bylaws, on the other hand, provide rules on the smaller details – like the number of directors, when officers will be elected, and when annual meetings will be held.
In Minnesota, you do not need bylaws to run a company; Minnesota statutes provide a default rule in most cases. However, bylaws are a very useful tool for establishing rules of conduct that meet the unique personality of your company. Unlike articles, bylaws do not need to be filed with the Secretary of State; meaning the company’s rules can generally remain private.
Bylaws can regulate a wide range of corporate activities. Examples of the kind of information that might be contained in bylaws are i) a method for electing or removing members of the board of directors ii) the duties of corporate officers iii) minimum notice periods before certain actions may be taken by the board of directors and iv) who has the power to determine the compensation of the board.
It is important to note that some corporate rules can only be modified by amending the articles. A discrepancy between the language in the articles and the bylaws will always be resolved in favor of the articles. It is important to understand the statutory limitations placed on the effectiveness of bylaws as well as the content requirements of the articles. An attorney can assist you in understanding these limitations, and in ensuring that your company’s bylaws are valid and enforceable.
The National Labor Relations Board announced on December 23, 2011, that it was again postponing the effective date of its new rule requiring most private sector employers to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Covered employers now have until April 30, 2012, to post the required notice.
Welcome to the SeilerSchindel Employment and Labor Law Blog Series. This blog series will discuss a wide range of topics impacting the employment relationship, including hiring, firing and everything in between. While this series is primarily intended for employers, we hope that practitioners may benefit as well. We encourage you to post comments and share our blog with your friends, family members and colleagues.
Disclaimer
This Blog is made available for educational and general information purposes only, and is not meant to provide specific legal advice. It should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. None of the information in this Blog necessarily reflects the opinions of SeilerSchindel or its attorneys or clients. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and we do not expressly or implicitly warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the contents.
An attorney-client relationship cannot be formed by receiving, accessing, or reading this Blog and this Blog is not intended to create, and does not create, an attorney-client relationship between you and SeilerSchindel. This Blog is not soliciting clients and does not propose or endorse any type of transaction.
If you are interested in having us represent you, you must contact us so we can determine whether the matter is one for which we are willing or able to accept professional responsibility.
Disclaimer
This Blog is made available for educational and general information purposes only, and is not meant to provide specific legal advice. It should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. None of the information in this Blog necessarily reflects the opinions of SeilerSchindel or its attorneys or clients. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current, and we do not expressly or implicitly warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the contents.
An attorney-client relationship cannot be formed by receiving, accessing, or reading this Blog and this Blog is not intended to create, and does not create, an attorney-client relationship between you and SeilerSchindel. This Blog is not soliciting clients and does not propose or endorse any type of transaction.
If you are interested in having us represent you, you must contact us so we can determine whether the matter is one for which we are willing or able to accept professional responsibility.
Please welcome the four newest members to the Seiler & Associates team:
Kyle Moen-Attorney. Kyle is a recent graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law. He has worked as a clerk for the firm since October 2008, consistently demonstrating that he is a self starter with the ability to quickly learn new legal concepts. Kyle will be working in the areas of commercial litigation, business transactions and consumer collections.
Bobbi Dahlstrom-Attorney. Bobbi graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2006. Bobbi comes to us with a broad background of practice experience and brings an infectiously positive attitude. She will be working on a variety of transactional and litigation matters.
Lisa Needham—Attorney. Lisa is a 2002 graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law and former clerk to Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz. Lisa has a strong background in many aspects of public law and is an adjunct professor of legal writing at William Mitchell. She joins us on an “of-counsel” basis, working on a variety of matters, including regulatory, transactional and federal litigation.
Caitlin Maxhimer—Administrative Assistant. Caitlin has been with us for a few months and has become an integral part of our team. She keeps the office ship shape and the attorneys on task. Make sure to say ‘hi’ when you call.
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