Check out our May/June newsletter!
May/June 2025
469-715-4558 · www.SulLeeLaw.com
Note: Our newsletter cover article will spotlight a member of our team each month. For this latest edition, we’re thrilled to share a few words from one of our associate attorneys, Dominique Williams. Hello! My name is Dominique Williams, and I am an associate attorney here at Sul Lee Law Firm. I’ve been with Sul Lee since 2021 and love my work representing clients in commercial litigation and intellectual property (IP) matters. I have experience working with clients in various industries but focus on beauty and entertainment. I handle matters ranging from intellectual property assignments and filings to licensing agreements and streaming media transactions. Growing up in New Orleans, my first career goal wasn’t to be a lawyer. Music and graphic design were my first loves. My uncle founded Slaughterhouse Records, an independent record label in New Orleans. My godfather is a well-known photographer in New Orleans, who often photographs events for locals and local celebrities. Watching the people around me find their footing in the music and entertainment industries inspired me to try my hand at different creative outlets. I started writing poetry and short stories. When I was a teenager, I began making beats, learning graphic design, and selling customized merch to people, as well as making my own custom clothes. Given my hobbies, I thought I would pursue a creative career myself, but the more I learned about the business and legal side of creative industries, the more I realized that was where I wanted to be. I attended Loyola University New Orleans and earned a degree in finance before attending Tulane Law School, where I really got to explore what I love. I knew early on that I wanted to focus my practice on IP law, and I am proud to be in a position today to help artists and entrepreneurs protect their work. One of the most rewarding parts of my job at Sul Lee Law Firm is seeing what my clients create and ensuring that they have the proper legal protections in place. In addition to licensing, endorsements, and branding agreements, I help clients avoid signing unfair contracts without negotiation. Too many creatives From Music to Law PROTECTING CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS
assume they have no leverage to push back. But the truth is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. As someone who has valuable intellectual property, you can and advocate for yourself and protect the fruits of your intellectual labor. Protecting yourself legally is just as important as building a great brand, and I’m here to help. No one day is the same in this field. Some days, I’m drafting agreements and negotiating terms. Other days, I’m preparing trademark or copyright applications, or drafting lawsuits. Additionally, the landscape of this industry is changing rapidly due to changes in technology. Right now, I’m very interested in staying on top of the evolving laws around AI and intellectual property. The growing role of AI in the creative and entertainment industries raises many questions related to copyright protections and tests the definition of “human work of authorship.” I look forward to helping clients work through these challenges as this area of law continues to evolve. Outside the firm, I love reading, listening to music, and curling up with my cat. If I had a completely free day, I would start with a matcha latte, put on some jazz, and simply relax with a good book. And I’d probably grab sushi at some point. I also enjoy visiting family whenever possible. Looking back, I never expected my love for music, design, and technology to lead me where it has, but I’m grateful it did. My work at Sul Lee Law Firm allows me to protect my clients’ intellectual property and help businesses succeed, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
-Dominique Williams 469-715-4558 · 1
Business Litigation 101
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BUSINESS IS SUED
Legal conflicts can arise for any business in any industry. It’s natural to feel stressed when faced with the uncertainty and disruption of a lawsuit, but responding strategically rather than reacting emotionally will help you better manage the situation. Immediate Steps Your first step is to review the complaint thoroughly. Examine the lawsuit documents to understand the claims and verify important details, such as your company name, the court jurisdictions, and the deadline for a response. Ensure the claims pertain to your operations and that the plaintiff has named the correct parties. Use this information to prepare a lawsuit summary, but consult an experienced business litigation attorney to develop a defense strategy. Also, check with your insurance broker or internal insurance teams to see if the company’s policies cover any of the allegations. If so, they can be used to pay for legal defense and potential settlements. Internal Preparation Internally, secure documents related to the case, including emails, contracts, financial statements, and internal communications. Acting quickly to implement a litigation hold will prevent the accidental destruction or deletion of key documents. Instruct employees to limit internal and external discussions regarding the case. Designating a specific point of contact — ideally your attorney — to handle all legal inquiries and media requests is also advisable. Legal Proceedings and Expectations Your attorney will help you decide how to respond to the claims, whether admitting to the actions and paying the claim, negotiating a settlement, filing a defense, or countersuing the plaintiff. Many business lawsuits do not go to trial but are resolved
Building a business can mean long hours spent growing sales, putting out fires, and driving ideas to fruition. Checking your business credit score might not be the first thing that comes to mind as you start your work day, but it can make a significant difference in your ability to accomplish all those other goals. A lack of proven creditworthiness will inflate your borrowing costs and insurance premiums and harm your ability to attract strong business partners and vendors. Here are three common oversights that can put a serious dent in your business credit score and tips on avoiding them. Failing to Monitor Your Credit Check your score frequently with each of the three business credit rating agencies — Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian. Look at what is included in your score, whether your business information is up to date, and whether your creditworthiness is weak in any areas. These agencies, Nav, and other services can monitor your credit score and ping you if it changes, alerting you to identity theft or other fraud before your losses mount. Free credit monitoring is available, but you’ll pay a small fee to get a complete look at your score. Every time you check, verify your business’s revenue figures and industry classification. Errors in these areas can hurt your ability to borrow. If your credit report misclassifies you as a “real estate investment BUILD YOUR BUSINESS MUSCLES To Protect Your Credit Score
through mediation or settlement agreements. However, if litigation proceeds, your attorney will help build a strong defense and guide you through the legal process. Mitigating Future Risks Litigation can be very disruptive to your business. You can mitigate the risk of legal conflicts by reviewing contracts and compliance policies and implementing alternative dispute resolution clauses in agreements. Ensuring you have the correct type of business insurance can also help you cover many lawsuit claims. If you face legal action, Sul Lee Law Firm will provide expert guidance to defend your business. Our team handles various cases, including
firm” rather than a real estate broker, for example, lenders and other businesses will deem you a riskier business partner. Additionally, mixups happen more easily with business credit scores than personal ones because identifying information is indexed only to your
business name and address. If your DBA is similar to another company’s, your business might be confused with theirs, and their financial management mistakes may end up on your report. Build a regular credit report review into your monthly routine to avoid these risks. Slow-Paying Your Bills The clock runs faster on business credit than on personal loans. While consumer debt typically isn’t treated as late until 30 days
partnership and shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and employment disputes. Contact us today to explore your legal options.
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Real Clients, Real Stories WORDS FROM THOSE WE’VE REPRESENTED
“I needed consultation for trademark matters. I needed help fast. I was able to get an appointment and get awesome service in a timely manner. The team was professional. The lawyer took time to listen to my case and share with me my options and her suggestions. It was great.”
“I had the pleasure working with Sul Lee’s legal team for my recent business legal needs, and I couldn’t be more impressed. They were able to accurately judge the situation and provide clear and strategic advice. I highly recommend Sul Lee to anyone seeking expert legal counsel for their business.”
—Robel A.
–Mija C.
“I recently worked with the attorneys at Sul Lee Law Firm on a copyright dispute, and their expertise was exceptional. Their professionalism, clear communication, and dedication to achieving a favorable outcome made the entire process seamless. I highly recommend them for any IP and business law matter.”
“Our experience with Sul Lee Law Firm had some initial challenges, but the way they handled the situation truly exceeded our expectations. After we raised concerns, Sul Lee herself personally reached out to address our issues. She showed great commitment to ensuring we received the finished product we needed. Her dedication and hands-on approach made a real difference, and we appreciate the extra effort she put in to complete the project successfully. What stands out is their willingness to listen, correct course, and deliver. We are very pleased with the final outcome and would absolutely recommend their services!”
–Widhs
“Helped me with business and real estate questions I had and did a couple of agreements for me. Great service and helped a lot.”
–Alexander M.
–Ana R.
WORD SEARCH
Simple Summer Garden Pasta
INGREDIENTS
•
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
• • • •
1/2 tsp black pepper 1 lb angel hair pasta
• • •
1 cup fresh basil
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
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1 tsp kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken to add protein!
Adventure Barefoot
Hiking Juneteenth Park Picnic
Pride Sandals Sunburn Volunteer
Father Gemini
469-715-4558 · 3
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Meet Associate Attorney Dominique Williams page 1 A Business Owner’s Guide to Lawsuits page 2 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Business Credit Score page 2 See What Our Clients Are Saying page 3 Simple Summer Garden Pasta page 3
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after invoicing, business debt payments are considered “late” if only one day overdue. If your uniform vendor’s payment terms are net 15 days and you pay on Day 16, your payment is late — and dings your credit score. Your payment history determines Dun & Bradstreet’s Paydex score and is vendors’ primary information source. If you pay your bills on their due date, you will earn a Paydex score of 80 on a scale of 100. To get closer to 100, you must pay before the due date! Failing to Establish a Business Credit Score Maxxing out your personal credit card is a common but ill-advised strategy when starting a business. Not only will you dent your personal credit score, but your business will launch on a weak financial footing. When you launch, open a business credit card, and pay attention to the factors that determine your score. On average, a company uses 10 times more credit than a consumer and can typically access at least that much additional credit. Even if you don’t need a large credit line at the outset, you might need more capital in the future to accelerate your growth. To establish business credit, register for a Dun & Bradstreet Data University Numbering System or D-U-N-S number, a unique nine-digit identification number. You will receive your number within 30 days free of charge or within eight days if you pay a small fee. Your payment history, the age of your business credit accounts, and the size of your debt affect your score, ranging from 1 to 100. Trade credit, or the time-payment plans suppliers extend, also shows your creditworthiness. Following these basic rules can help you demonstrate your trustworthiness to prospective business partners and lenders, expanding your options as a business owner and opening more opportunities!
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