Franchising is an effective way for brand owners to achieve rapid expansion through franchisee investment. But although widely utilized across a variety of industries, franchising is not without its legal risks. Federal and state franchise laws can apply to a surprisingly broad spectrum of contractual arrangements, making it crucial for attorneys to remain vigilant and avoid creating “accidental franchises.” Regulatory issues and shifting trends – such as the NLRB’s expanded joint employer rule, increasing investment by private equity firms in both franchisees and franchisors, and the rise of alternate channels of distribution – also create opportunities and pitfalls in drafting and negotiating franchise agreements.

A limited liability company (LLC) offers a unique combination of the flexibility of a partnership with the asset protection of a corporation. To effectively advise clients on LLC matters, you must have the knowledge to convey the purpose of an LLC agreement, as well as the relevant provisions that apply to the formation and growth of the company. You must also have the foresight to address legal issues and potential disputes that might arise between LLC members and managers.

The cannabis industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry despite an enduring federal prohibition on marijuana. As of February 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for recreational use, and another 14 states allow medicinal use. This growth has brought about increased demand from businesses for cannabis licensing within legalized jurisdictions and a growing need by the industry for legal counsel in such areas as licensing, corporate formation, tax planning, banking, real estate, creditor’s rights, and more.

Session 1: Welcome and New Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division Leadership Session 4: Nonprofit: After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decisions The Conference focuses on the new and noteworthy: Election year political activity and lobbying, the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions and their fallout, a year-in-review roundup, and the new Division Chief of the Nonprofit Organizations, Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. We also take a deep dive into choice of entity considerations and impact investing.

Session 2: Nonprofit Law: Year in Review The Conference focuses on the new and noteworthy: Election year political activity and lobbying, the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions and their fallout, a year-in-review roundup, and the new Division Chief of the Nonprofit Organizations, Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. We also take a deep dive into choice of entity considerations and impact investing.

Session 3: Nonprofit: Choice of Entity The Conference focuses on the new and noteworthy: Election year political activity and lobbying, the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions and their fallout, a year-in-review roundup, and the new Division Chief of the Nonprofit Organizations, Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. We also take a deep dive into choice of entity considerations and impact investing.

Session 5: Nonprofit Political Activity and Lobbying in an Election Year Session 6: Impact Investing The Conference focuses on the new and noteworthy: Election year political activity and lobbying, the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions and their fallout, a year-in-review roundup, and the new Division Chief of the Nonprofit Organizations, Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. We also take a deep dive into choice of entity considerations and impact investing.

Understanding the key components of a grant agreement is critical for both donors and nonprofit organizations that receive charitable grants. Whether you advise funders or charities, please join us online for a valuable overview of the considerations for preparing and entering into grant agreements from the perspective of both donors and grantees, followed by a deeper dive discussion of the nuances related to a few specific types of grants, including but not limited to advocacy, research, and international grants as well as grants made by private foundations.

The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) objective for requiring companies to report under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is to create a database of owners of business entities in the U.S. and abroad to combat financial impropriety by organizations. Failure to comply with the CTA reporting requirements will result in serious criminal and civil penalties. For many companies, this reporting will require a daunting compliance undertaking, along with an uneasy feeling that too much information may be disclosed. Take a deep dive into the common and not-so-common compliance and reporting obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act. This program goes beyond the basics to address some of the most complex and intriguing questions that can arise during the filing process, as well as the latest developments you need to know.

Session 4: Hot Topics in Massachusetts Cannabis Nationally, the cannabis industry continues to experience unprecedented growth. Despite increasing numbers of states having legalized cannabis in some form, as well as widespread public approval for federal cannabis reform, the interplay between complex state regulatory schemes and continued federal prohibition continues to pose inherent legal uncertainties. Counsel for marijuana or hemp businesses must address unique legal issues relating to regulatory compliance, state and local licensing, financing restraints, and federal prohibition and policy, while also addressing standard business law issues. This Conference analyzes advanced emerging topics in the cannabis industry pertinent to business law practitioners—including challenges, opportunities, and strategies encountered in licensing, permitting, compliance, debt and equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, tax considerations—and for the first time this year, the panel also discusses the new emerging focus on psychedelics and the movement at the state level to legalize such use. Hear the latest from expert panelists who provide insight into the complex business and legal issues underlying cannabis business operations.