One of the happy charges of my new office as President of the Evansville Bar Association is to pen a President’s Message which appears on the front page of the EBA’s monthly member newsletter, the Summation. The first article offered by the Association’s President typically is more personal, serving as an introduction to the background and individuality of the occupant of the office. To read my “story” about becoming a lawyer and some of the things I think about, please click here. I hope you enjoy it!
Hobby to Business series coming to USI
Over the six decades beginning in 1948, the rate of self-employment in the United States fell steadily from a high of 18.5%, across all industries, to around 7% in the mid-2000s. Since 2008, however, there has been a significant restructuring of the economy. The percentage of Americans working for themselves jumped back up to 11% as of 2010, and is continuing to rise.
Have you been considering turning your sideline, or even a favorite hobby, into your primary business? If so, please consider attending the University of Southern Indiana’s From Hobby to Business Series. The Series kicks off this Wednesday evening, with a panel discussion featuring Dana M. Nelson, social media strategist with OutCloud, Bryan Bourdeau, USI instructor in business, and Doug Briody, attorney at law. We will be discussing what you need to know when thinking about making such a transition. Later sessions will focus on marketing and finance issues.
As always, if you are interested in started a business, it helps to seek out the input and advice of qualified, appropriate professionals, early on in the process. For more information, or to register, please click here.
Filed under Uncategorized
Startup Weekend Evansville is coming in February!
I’m excited to announce that I’m one of the organizers of the first-ever Startup Weekend Evansville, which will be held at the University of Southern Indiana on the last weekend in February 2012.
Startup Weekends are 54-hour-long events, lasting from Friday night to Sunday night, where developers, designers, marketers, product managers, and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses! These are hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if their startup ideas are viable, and, if so, get the right help they need to launch their startups quickly. On average, half of a Startup Weekend’s attendees have technical backgrounds, and half have business backgrounds.
One of my passions is helping entrepreneurs and other business owners get the legal obstacles out of their way so they can pursue their dreams, and partnering with them to help their businesses contribute to our community and to the larger society.
If you have an idea for a business, and aren’t sure how to get it off the ground, or if you’re looking to team up with other bright and motivated individuals to help create some exciting new business opportunities here in the Evansville area, sign up now for Evansville’s first-ever Startup Weekend. You won’t want to miss it!
Filed under Business Law, Entrepreneurship
Season’s Greetings
Wishing you and yours all the blessings and joys of this Christmas season!
Please take a quick moment to enjoy this special video greeting card from me to you.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
— Doug
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A Different Kind of Lawyer, a Different Kind of Law Office Experience
Sure, I’m a lawyer, but I’m not a stuffy guy. I relate to my clients as people, as individuals, and I want them to be comfortable in all our dealings. That’s why my setup is entirely different from any other law office you’ve probably ever seen.
- First, I come to my clients. We meet at their offices, homes, a nearby coffee shop, or wherever else is convenient for them. I like to meet on their turf, both to put them at ease, and to find out how their business operates or what makes them tick. I don’t charge for my travel to client meetings, not for my time, or even mileage expenses.
- Second, much of my work, for both my estate planning and business law services, is on a flat-fee basis. Once I analyze a client’s needs, I quote a price, take payment, and the client won’t be hit with hidden charges on the back-end. While I cannot provide this type of arrangement in all matters, especially litigation cases and other long-term engagements, I do strive to be transparent in all my financial dealings with my clients.
- Finally, you get someone who really cares. I know when folks need a lawyer, it’s usually because some type of problem has come up, or they’re just unsure where to turn for help. In such times, they need a trusted advisor, someone who has their best interests in mind. I can be that person.
So, if you’re thinking of starting a business, you need to have a will drawn up or reviewed, or you just need some sound, professional advice in any kind of civil legal matter, I hope you’ll think of me. Please call or e-mail me to see if I can help.
Law Office of Doug Briody 