Cyberattacks are not going anywhere soon. The risk of a data breach has been steadily increasing for businesses over the past decade. In fact, in Q3 of 2021, there were more data breaches caused by cyber attacks than there were total breaches in 2020. These dynamic and new threats are coming up constantly. According to the 2021 Business Aftermath Findings: * 58% of small businesses have been impacted by at least one data breach or one security breach. * 45% of small businesses spend between $250...
Jun 23, 2022•19 min
Privacy is ubiquitous in our legal and business landscape today and it can seem really big and daunting to companies of all sizes. Although privacy as a legal concept and an operational imperative is new for organizations, the law is developing so rapidly that it can be hard to keep up. In this episode, CGL partner Keri Kelly and Robert Glaser, Managing Principal at Conduit Privacy Solutions join the conversation to discuss operations, privacy, and data security. They also dig into the link betw...
Jun 16, 2022•34 min
Founders have a tendency to avoid seeking legal advice in the early stages. That is completely understandable considering the limited resources they have. However, this could lead to compliance issues down the road. From the outset, the cost of legal advice can seem really intimidating, but it is always more expensive to fix what has not been done right. Fixing legal mistakes can be significantly more expensive than being compliant. In today’s episode, we discuss five common mistakes early-stage...
Jun 09, 2022•28 min
In this replay episode, I speak with privacy expert Jessica Clark about her journey to distributed work with CGL. She explains how she moved from a fulfilling job with the FTC in Washington D.C. to a leafy suburb in Canada. She also discusses why she didn’t want to (or ultimately need to) choose between her career and the lifestyle she desired. To be sure, Jessica’s story shows the value of distributed work for lawyers. However, in her experience, the clients benefit too. In this episode, you wi...
Jun 02, 2022•21 min
Do you remember the toilet paper panic buying scenario during the onset of the pandemic? Since the beginning of the pandemic, supply chains have been making headlines. The supply chain struggles have affected most of us in one way or another. And if you’re following up on what’s going on with the baby formula shortage right now, it’s an undeniable fact that supply chains significantly impact our society and economy. Supply chain strains are caused by various factors, from shutdowns and the risin...
May 26, 2022•18 min
Many startups see venture capital financing as a sexy way to raise funds and it has become more available in recent years. In fact, last year was a record year for VC investment. VC or venture capital is a type of financing that relies on private investors who invest funds into a startup in exchange for equity. This is attractive to some startups because it is available at the company's early stages before the company is profitable. While VC financing comes with a host of advantages, it’s also n...
May 19, 2022•19 min
The laws surrounding employee and independent contractor (IC) classification and compliance in California are complex. It’s an area fraught with risks so it's really important that you understand the potential risks that come with bringing in additional workers before you take that leap. In this episode, learn some things you need to know when it comes to classifying and hiring independent contractors in California. If you're unsure, it is best to err on the side of treating a worker as an emplo...
May 12, 2022•18 min
In this episode, CGL partner Jenny Gumer joins us to discuss ways to balance urgent work with important life events - so you get the best of both worlds. Since life is always changing and the things around us are always evolving, balance is a work in progress. What is balanced for us at one point may not be balanced at a different point, and so you have to find what works for you at any given point in your life. A large element of this is being mindful of your relationship with work. This is key...
May 05, 2022•35 min
As business owners, we want workers to not only get the work done, but also to stay motivated, engaged, and creative. Unfortunately, some companies and workers still believe that working long hours is the only way to be profitable and productive. The 4-day workweek trials taking place around the world are challenging that misconception, however. While also reducing the risk of burnout and employee attrition. While it comes with benefits, implementing a 4-day workweek does come with challenges an...
Apr 28, 2022•19 min
In this episode, CGL partner Jenny Gumer joins us to discuss some regulations around CBD products. Currently, the regulatory landscape for CBD products is a total mess and the only road out of all this confusion is if the FDA changes its stance on CBD and introduces federal regulations. Once (and if) that happens, states will then align their regulations with the federal regulations, resulting in increased uniformity and certainty. Until then, it’s going to continue to be tough to navigate the C...
Apr 21, 2022•20 min
In today's episode, we address some common questions we hear regarding the role of minimum wage and worker classification in California startup operations. California is incredibly strict with these rules and unfortunately, there are ramifications in the event you misclassify individuals. Therefore, it’s important that companies understand their obligations and what they need to do to properly classify individuals so they can prepare the appropriate contracts, with the help of a trusted legal co...
Apr 14, 2022•12 min
CGL senior corporate paralegal Sean Agranov joins us today to talk about why you shouldn’t lose your EDGAR codes. The EDGAR system stands for Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis and Retrieval system, which is used to submit most filings to the SEC to provide transparency and information to investors, analysts, and regulators. Access to the EDGAR code is strictly controlled, yet it’s also the most important code that you should not lose. Working as a paralegal for over 20 years now, Sean has s...
Mar 03, 2022•17 min
Intellectual property (IP) provides a competitive advantage for tech companies, whether it’s their main source of generating profits or they’re establishing the business's value. However, many of these companies mistakenly believe that patents are the only form of IP and IP protection, but it’s not. They don't realize they also own other potentially valuable IP. Therefore, early IP protection is critical for startups, especially before they publicly launch their products and services. In this ep...
Feb 17, 2022•11 min
Today we’re going to be discussing a timely issue that I keep getting questions about: what are your responsibilities as a business owner regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine? In this episode of Conversations with CGL, we’ll be discussing California's emergency temporary standards for COVID-19 prevention. And while many requirements remain in place from the Cal OSHA emergency temporary standards including sick leave and infection prevention requirements that remain in place, there are three signif...
Feb 10, 2022•10 min
We don’t have an episode for you all today but we do have a special announcement. As you may or may not know, Hannah is nine months pregnant. Therefore, she’s going to be taking a little break from the podcast and the regular recording schedule. She’s going to use this time to instead welcome her third child into the world. The podcast is certainly not going away forever. Hannah just needs to step away to have some time to heal and just be a mom for a while. Feel free to keep up with her by send...
Aug 12, 2021•2 min
Today we have a very special guest joining us. Sophie Alcorn is both a good friend and an incredible lawyer. She has an interesting journey that led her to start her law firm, Alcorn Law. In this episode, Sophie and I are talking about infusing humanity into the law. As an immigration lawyer, Sophie meets people with incredibly diverse backgrounds every day. This has inspired her to build compassion into her firm. Sophie now trains her team to do the same. Their goal is to show their clients the...
Aug 05, 2021•27 min
Spending the money on an attorney is something we see a lot of founders put off for as long as possible. That's understandable. We get it. There are so many competing financial priorities for cash strapped startups. And investing in your company's legal needs can feel daunting at times – but it really matters. In this episode of Conversations with CGL, we dive into the importance of investing in legal services, which is something that impacts all founders at some point in their journey. We will ...
Jul 15, 2021•21 min
Have you heard the term “supermom?” This is a topic that’s very near and dear to my heart. I get messages all the time from people asking me how I am always put together. However, social media doesn’t give you the full picture. There is no such thing as a super mom; it’s a fallacy. In this episode of Conversations with CGL, I’m diving into the topic of supermoms. I’m explaining who they are and what they do. Then, I’m going to tell you why the myth of the supermom is extremely problematic. Tune ...
Jul 08, 2021•10 min
Here at CGL, we are all about promoting happiness and balance for our team. Even before the pandemic, we were having conversations about the relationship we as a society have with work. These conversations are now at the forefront for many other employees in the country as well. Because of this greater emphasis on balance in the workplace, the issue of burnout and a lack of work-life balance has been coming up a lot. So today we want to share our thoughts on balancing happiness and success with ...
Jul 02, 2021•19 min
Many of us look at money and see only money. It’s simply a number of bills in our hands or a virtual number on a screen. However, we have the ability to give our money meaning. If we were to view our money through the lens of what it can do for us, everything would change. We would start to understand how it can give us the life of our dreams, provide us with the legacy we desire, and help us reach our greatest goals. Today I am talking with Marielle Schurig about this new way of viewing money. ...
Apr 29, 2021•17 min
Everyone wants to reach their fullest potential. Whether you are looking to expand on your success or you are on your way to success, a big part of the journey is getting out of your own way. Because that journey can be daunting, we need some help. This week’s guest, Mollie Eliasof, fills that need as a private consultant. She helps people reach their fullest potential by helping them feel more confident and more like themselves. Mollie is the kind of inspirational person we love to have here at...
Apr 01, 2021•19 min
Our goal at CGL is to change the narrative around work. We want to create a thoughtful and conscious work environment that’s a healthy place to work. Changing our lives starts with changing the narrative we tell ourselves. This is one of the hardest things to change, but it is a worthwhile mission. Today I am talking about this with Jenny Gumer, one of the partners here at the firm. A big part of changing our mindsets around work is reducing workplace stressors, so Jenny is sharing the top 3 thi...
Mar 25, 2021•20 min
As founders begin to grow their businesses, they need to protect the company’s confidential information. Non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, are a tool for this. These agreements are critical when building partnerships, exploring new business avenues, and scaling a company. They may not be at the top of your to-do list, but they are helpful for avoiding unnecessary pitfalls as you grow. In this episode, we are doing a Q and A on NDAs. We are answering many of the recurring questions we receive a...
Mar 18, 2021•10 min
We get a lot of questions on 409A Valuations here at CGL. These valuations are very important to startups and founders in the early stages. As a CEO, it is your duty to make sure these are done in a reasonable and defensible way. So if you’re at this stage or have questions about 409A Valuations, this episode will be helpful for you. We are answering many of the common questions we get around this topic. Specifically, we’re discussing 409A Valuations as they relate to privately held companies. T...
Mar 11, 2021•20 min
We get a lot of recurring questions on what to do post-incorporation. While the work we do to set up our businesses and incorporate them is extremely important, there is still much to do afterward. For those of you who are confused or lost in this area, today’s episode will be very helpful. In this episode, I speak with one of our corporate counsel here at CGL, Danielle Simmons. Her practice focuses on general corporate governance, venture financing, and mergers and acquisitions. In our conversa...
Feb 25, 2021•37 min
Here at CGL, we are passionate about work-life balance. This is one of the main reasons we are a distributed company. Burnout is far too common amongst professionals. Finding a balance between the stress of work and real life is more important than ever. I believe it is extremely important to talk about this issue so, in this episode, I discuss it with an expert. Michael Levitt is the Chief Burnout Officer of the Breakfast Leadership Network. He is a leading authority on burnout, recovery, and p...
Feb 04, 2021•43 min
In this episode, I speak with one of my friends and partners here at the firm, Jenny Gumer. Jenny is our cannabis expert. At the beginning of last year, we made predictions for the cannabis industry in 2020. Now that we are about a month into 2021, we thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on how those predictions played out. Obviously, 2020 didn’t play out like anybody thought it would. So, tune in to hear how the unprecedented economy impacted the cannabis industry. In this episode,...
Jan 28, 2021•16 min
The current climate of corporate America is one of innovation and adaptation. Executives have been forced to find new ways to run their businesses. It’s hard to meet someone who hasn’t experienced job cuts in one way or another. Given the current economy, us covering the topic of the ideal worker could not be more timely. The topic was first defined decades ago in what was then the ‘modern office’ workplace. The ideal worker was the employee who showed up every day and did their best work no mat...
Jan 21, 2021•20 min
CGL is a fully distributed company that values the autonomy of every individual on our team. We investigate and provide high-quality solutions for our clients. However, we do so without threatening the personal freedom among our team members. This has raised a lot of questions from our listeners. There are so many different opinions brought into a distributed workplace like ours. Yet, we have found a way to navigate these disagreements and work together for the benefit of our customers. Many of ...
Jan 14, 2021•21 min
Over the last few weeks, months, and years, there have been a lot of developments in the privacy world. For instance, Californians voted to replace the California Consumer Privacy Act with the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) in November. Additionally, the new administration is likely to be more privacy-minded, and they’ll also need to renegotiate legal transfers of personal data from the EU to the US. COVID-19 has also resulted in significant changes, largely due to the movement towards wor...
Jan 07, 2021•31 min
