Melody E. Cobbe has been Selected as a 2015 Florida Rising Star

Florida Super Lawyers Magazine  has selected Melody E. Cobbe as a 2015 Florida Rising Star and among the best top local legal talent.  Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. Melody E. Cobbe has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2011.  

About Cobbe Law

At Cobbe Law, we are committed to being your business’ counsel for all legal matters – from start-up to breakup. Cobbe Law utilizes a solutions-oriented approach that is geared toward achieving the client’s defined goals and objectives.   Cobbe Law clients now have the ability to outsource their legal business needs while still receiving individual attention.  We have developed a simple and effective program that provides you and your company legal support on an as-needed basis, specific project, or monthly retainer. Currently offered services include:​​ business formation; purchase or sale of an existing business; commercial agreements; corporate governance; employment consulting/human resources; and landlord/tenant consulting.

Company Annual Reports Due May 1

Dear Friends and Clients;
 

Now that tax season is over, don't forget to file your annual report before May 1, 2015 with the Department of State, Division of Corporations. If you fail to do so, a non-waivable late fee of $400 will be imposed for your Company to maintain its active status.

You can go to https://services.sunbiz.org/Filings/AnnualReport/FilingStart to file your report.

 
Please remember that this is the time to update your information.  You should (i) add, delete, or change the names and/or addresses of the officers, directors, managers, managing members, and addresses only of general partners; (ii) change the registered agent and registered office address; (iii) change the principal office address and mailing address for the business entity; and/or (iv) add or change your federal employer identification number. 

Please feel free to call and/or email Cobbe Law directly with any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,
Melody Cobbe

5 Items to Consider During Your Business' Quarterly Review

The following five items should be on the top of every successful business’ mind at this point in the year. If you have not reviewed each of these actions yet, or are unsure where to start, please call our office today and let us help you get back on track!

1.              Annual Requirements: In the state of Florida, annual reports are typically due beginning January 1 and must be filed no later than May 1.  Additionally, depending on your business structure, your company may be required to conduct annual meetings for shareholders. This is to make sure that the company remains in good standing and is not waiting until the last minute to fulfill these critical duties.

2.              Trademarks: It’s time to think about whether you want to obtain a trademark for your business or ensure an existing trademark will remain active in the coming year. Stay on top of your trademark by reviewing it with your Cobbe Law team.

3.              Employee Contracts: If your employees are under contract, it is essential to review the contracts before year’s end. Ask yourself these key questions: Do you plan on renewing contracts or cancelling contracts? Have employees changed positions within your company or do your contracts have non-solicitation and non-compete provisions? Now is the time to review those contracts with your Cobbe Law team to ensure they are still enforceable.

4.              Expiring / Renewing Leases: The end of the year is a common time for leases to expire. It is essential to review documents and consider renewals or terminations in order to make sure you comply with any termination notice provisions.

5.              Website Policies: Most websites contain “Terms of Use” and/or “Privacy Policy” provisions to inform users of a company’s security measures and liabilities regarding data use and protections. The language in these policies may be outdated and/or no longer reflect reasonable security measures. Reduce your liability by revisiting these policies and keeping the language up-to-date and consistent with industry standards.

These tips are just a start but a great place for each of us to end the first quarter right!

Melody E. Cobbe Selected as Top Lawyer by the South Florida Legal Guide

The South Florida Legal Guide 2015 has recognized Melody E. Cobbe as being a “Top Lawyer” in the South Florida region.  This distinction honors attorneys who have earned a high level of respect for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.  South Florida Legal Guide determines its annual top listings by conducting extensive peer-review surveys completed by South Florida lawyers who nominate and evaluate their professional peers.

Melody is proud to have again been recognized by the South Florida legal community and the South Florida Legal Guide. 

Keeping Competitors Out of Your Retail Space

Most stores that lease space in a mall or other commercial area would like a guarantee that the landlord won’t also rent to a competing business.  This guarantee is known as “exclusive use,” and you can negotiate for it in a lease. If you’re negotiating a right to exclusive use, here are 5 main points to consider:

1.         What’s your use? What happens if you re-focus your business and your use changes? Can you still keep out competitors?

2.         What if you sublet some space or assign the lease – does the exclusive use still apply?

3.         If you temporarily fall behind on the rent, do you lose your right to exclusive use?

4.         What about pre-existing tenants? 

5.         What’s your remedy? If the landlord violates the contract and leases space to a competitor, what can you do? Presumably you can sue in court to make the landlord stop, but can you also withhold rent, or terminate the lease? If so, do you first have to prove that you actually suffered financial harm?