top of page
Search


How Outside General Counsel Supports Corporate Governance
An OGC acts as a strategic advisor — helping boards navigate their responsibilities while reducing the risk of governance missteps. Here’s how:
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


How Outside General Counsel Services Improve Contract Management and Risk Mitigation
For growing businesses, contracts are the foundation of nearly every relationship — from clients and vendors to employees and investors. Yet, many small and mid-sized companies treat contract management as an afterthought until something goes wrong. That’s where Outside General Counsel (OGC) services come in.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


What Does an Outside General Counsel Do — and When Should You Hire One?
As your business grows, legal questions start to multiply. Contracts get more complex. Employment laws change. Regulatory requirements sneak up. Before long, what used to be a quick “ask my lawyer” moment becomes a full-time job.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


Assessing Legal and Compliance Risks: A Guide for Business Owners
Every business faces risk — but not all risks come from competitors, market shifts, or economic downturns. Some come from within: legal and compliance risks that can quietly grow until they trigger lawsuits, fines, or regulatory investigations.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
When shareholders believe that company leaders have harmed the business — not just them personally — they can file what’s called a shareholder derivative lawsuit . These cases can shake even well-established companies, creating tension among leadership, slowing operations, and drawing unwanted attention. For small and mid-sized businesses, especially those with multiple owners, understanding how derivative suits work is essential to avoiding internal disputes that spill into
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


Slip and Fall Liability
For many small and mid-sized businesses, a single accident on the premises can lead to serious financial and legal consequences. Among the most common — and costly — are slip and fall claims.
These cases might sound routine, but they can expose a business to thousands of dollars in damages, increased insurance premiums, and lasting reputational harm. Understanding your obligations and taking proactive steps can make all the difference.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


False Advertising and Deceptive Trade Practices (NY General Business Law § 349)
In New York, one of the most common ways plaintiffs bring fraud-related claims isn’t through common law fraud — it’s through General Business Law § 349 (GBL § 349). This statute is powerful because it’s broader, easier to prove, and applies to virtually any business operating in New York. It’s a favorite tool of plaintiffs’ lawyers — and a risk that many small and mid-sized businesses overlook.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


How Insurance Can Help Your Business When Facing Litigation
Even the most careful business owners can find themselves in a lawsuit. A client claims your work caused a loss. An employee files a complaint. A customer slips and falls on your property. Suddenly, you’re spending time — and money — on something that has nothing to do with growing your business. That’s where insurance comes in.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 64 min read


Frivolous Lawsuits: What Business Owners Need to Know (and How to Protect Your Company)
If you’ve been in business long enough, you know that not every lawsuit is created equal. Some claims are legitimate — others are… well, not.
Welcome to the world of frivolous lawsuits: claims that have little or no legal basis but still cost businesses time, money, and peace of mind.
Here’s what you need to know about what makes a lawsuit “frivolous,” what you can do if your business gets hit with one, and how to protect yourself before it happens.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


Small Claims Court: A Practical Guide for Business Owners
When a customer doesn’t pay, a vendor breaches a contract, or a dispute over a few thousand dollars threatens your bottom line, hiring a full legal team might feel like overkill. That’s where small claims court comes in — a streamlined, lower-cost way to resolve smaller disputes.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


What Should I Do If I Receive a Subpoena? A Business Owner’s Guide
Getting served with a subpoena can be stressful — especially if you’ve never seen one before. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a company executive, a subpoena means one thing: someone wants information from you for a legal case.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Legal problems can be complicated, especially when both criminal and civil cases are involved. Business owners often ask two key questions: What is the difference for me if I am suing someone who is also facing criminal charges? What if I or my business am the one facing both a criminal and civil case This blog breaks down the differences and explains what’s at stake in each situation.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 23 min read


Insurance Recovery Challenges Every Business Owner Should Know
When disaster strikes—whether it’s property damage, a lawsuit, or a business interruption—many business owners turn to their insurance policies expecting protection. But recovering money from an insurance claim isn’t always simple. Legal issues can quickly arise that delay or even block recovery.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 12 min read


What Is a Default Judgment?
When you file a lawsuit, you expect the other side to show up and defend themselves. But what happens if they don’t? That’s where a default judgment comes in. It’s a powerful legal tool that can decide the case in your favor if the other side ignores the lawsuit.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 302 min read


Can I Recoup Attorney’s Fees in My Lawsuit?
Lawsuits can be very expensive. One of the biggest costs is paying your lawyer. Many business owners wonder: “If I win my case, can I make the other side pay my attorney’s fees?”
The answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the rules of the case, the law, and what your contract says.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 293 min read


What to Look for When Hiring a Lawyer (and What to Avoid)
For business owners, hiring the right lawyer can make the difference between a thriving, protected business and one exposed to unnecessary risk. Whether you’re dealing with contracts, compliance, disputes, or growth, your lawyer isn’t just a service provider—they’re a partner. But how do you know who’s the right fit for you?
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 242 min read


Breaking Down the Elements of a Contract
Contracts are the backbone of business. Whether you’re signing a lease, negotiating a vendor agreement, or onboarding a new client, contracts define the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved. But what exactly makes a contract legally enforceable—and what are all those dense sections lawyers include? Here’s a plain-English guide to the core elements of a contract and the technical parts you’ll commonly see in written agreements.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 223 min read


Understanding Motions for Summary Judgment
Litigation can feel overwhelming. Between discovery, motions, and the possibility of trial, many business owners wonder how disputes actually get resolved in court. One of the most important tools in modern litigation is the motion for summary judgment. It can end a case—or a major part of it—before trial ever begins.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 173 min read


Exclusion from Federal Healthcare Programs: Consequences and How to Appeal
For healthcare providers, suppliers, and businesses, few penalties are as devastating as exclusion from Federal healthcare programs. When the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) excludes an individual or entity, they are barred from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs. This not only cuts off a vital revenue stream but can also damage reputation and cripple operations.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 154 min read


Information Blocking Enforcement is Finally Here – What “Actors” Should Know
After years of regulatory developments, enforcement is finally on the horizon for information blocking. On September 3, 2025, the U.S....
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 94 min read
Asked and Answered: A Law Blog
bottom of page
