SBA’s 8(a) Program Participants Required to Produce Financial Records by January 5, 2026

by Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. | Dec 12, 2025 | Announcements, Business Law

On December 5, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) sent a seismic message to the federal contracting community: every current participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program must produce detailed financial and operating records — or risk losing...

Trademark vs Service Mark vs Trade Name (Clearly Explained)

by Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. | Dec 2, 2025 | Trademark Law

If you’re building a brand , understanding the differences between trademarks, service marks, and trade names is essential. Each serves a unique purpose, and knowing which one applies to your business can help you protect your brand and avoid legal pitfalls. What’s a...

Seasonal Contractors in Construction: What GCs and Subcontractors Must Do to Stay Compliant

by Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. | Nov 25, 2025 | Construction

By LPJ Legal, PLLC Seasonal surges in construction—especially during year-end deadlines, mild winter windows, and holiday retail buildouts—often push general contractors (GCs) and subcontractors to bring in short-term labor teams. Seasonal work is common within...

Does the DOL’s Economic Realities Test Still Apply to Seasonal Workers? How 2025 Changes to the Law will Impact Holiday Hiring.

by Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. | Nov 20, 2025 | Business Law

By LPJ Legal, PLLC Worker classification—employee vs. independent contractor—matters more than ever. While INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS function as their own entity, EMPLOYEES are entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and other protections under the FLSA. Recently, the DOL...

Is your Seasonal Hire an Employee or Contractor? Avoid these FLSA Mistakes.

by Lucrecia P. Johnson, Esq. LL.M. | Nov 14, 2025 | Business Law

By LPJ Legal, PLLC Why Classification Matters for Seasonal Hires The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes American employee overtime and minimum wage laws. However, these laws do not apply to contractors. Many businesses assume that mislabeling short-term...