Resources
Plain language, primary sources
Writing on how these cases actually work, drawn from the published record, and practical guidance for Minnesota businesses and property owners.
From the blog
Commentary on the decisions as they come down, and what each one changes for the people it affects.
What "sincerely held religious belief" actually means to a federal court
A federal appeals court held that a religious belief doesn't have to be logical, consistent, or shared by your church to be protected. What that means for you.
Read the postYour exemption request mentioned more than religion. The Seventh Circuit says that's fine.
Employers denied exemption requests that mentioned both faith and safety. The Seventh Circuit held a request based partly on religion is enough.
Read the postThree of four claims revived. Why the fourth one matters.
The Eighth Circuit revived three claims and affirmed dismissal of a fourth. Understanding why the fourth failed is as useful as the three that survived.
Read the postHow long do I have to file a religious discrimination claim in Minnesota?
Title VII and Minnesota Human Rights Act claims have short filing deadlines. Here is how the timing generally works and why it decides most cases.
Read the postWhy religious accommodation cases die at the motion to dismiss
Nearly all mandate accommodation cases ended at the pleading stage. Three circuit decisions in two years changed what that stage requires.
Read the postA hearing can't give anyone their job back
Washington spent July arguing about the pandemic. None of it returns a paycheck. Here is what a court can actually do for someone who lost a job.
Read the postYour employer's flu shot policy is a religious accommodation question
The COVID mandates are mostly gone. The legal obligation they tested applies to flu shots, scheduling, dress codes, and much else.
Read the postWhat happens when you call us
No sales pitch. Here is exactly what happens on a first call, what to have in front of you, and what we will tell you if you have no case.
Read the postBusiness and property rights
Zoning, permits, eminent domain, and what a business can do when a government decision stands in the way.
Can a Minnesota business recover losses after a property taking?
In Minnesota, a business may be entitled to compensation when the government takes private property for public use.
Read the postHow should you address a delayed or denied permit?
Operating a business in Minnesota may require you to navigate a unique legal landscape because of specific state regulations.
Read the postHow should you react to a stop-work order?
You cannot take a stop-work order lightly. It has the potential to bring your construction project to a grinding halt.
Read the postHow can a business challenge an administrative fine in Minnesota?
A fine from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Labor and Industry or another regulator can disrupt your operations.
Read the postWhat records can protect your business at a zoning hearing?
A zoning hearing can affect whether you open, expand or move forward with a Minnesota business project.
Read the postHow Minnesota landlords can handle local rental rules?
City ordinances can change quickly.
Read the postWhen a government project affects a business or its properties?
There are countless scenarios in which businesses may need to take legal action against the government.
Read the post3 ways to challenge an eminent domain purchase
If you own property, you likely want to be the one who decides when you give it up, if indeed you do so at all.
Read the postWhy the government might sue your small business?
As a small business owner in Minnesota, staying compliant with local and federal laws is essential to your success.
Read the postCan you appeal an unfair zoning decision in Minnesota?
When a local government rejects your variance request or conditional use permit, it can affect future plans.
Read the postZoning hurdles: How to stop bureaucracy from killing your project
You might have a strong idea, solid financing and a prime site, yet still face delays from local red tape.
Read the postA Minneapolis business owner’s guide to CUPs
In Minneapolis, your right to use your property often depends on city approval.
Read the postMixed-use zoning in Minneapolis: How to remain in compliance
Small-scale, mixed-use developments are common in Minneapolis.
Read the postCan a developer challenge a new ordinance that harms a project?
Local ordinances can change the trajectory of your development project overnight, disrupting budgets and causing delays.
Read the postHow can businesses handle unfair government regulations?
Running a business in Minnesota can sometimes feel like walking through a maze of rules.
Read the post4 ways to dispute government property valuation in Minnesota
An unfair property appraisal can cost you thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes.
Read the postWhat can a business do if the state revokes an operating permit?
An operating permit revocation can interrupt your business with little warning.
Read the postHow can a business push back on excessive environmental demands?
Environmental rules apply to many Minnesota businesses, but government agencies do not have unlimited power.
Read the postBeyond eminent domain: How the government affects property rights
Owning property in Minnesota can give you a strong sense of security, but it may help to remember that ownership does not always mean complete control.
Read the postAre property tax changes impacting Minnesota real estate values?
Minnesota homeowners and prospective buyers are facing a shifting landscape due to recent changes in property taxes.
Read the postWhat to do after a government contract dispute?
Doing business with a government agency can be profitable, but it also comes with strict obligations.
Read the postHow to respond if the city tries to seize your property rights?
When the city plans to take your property for a “public project,” it’s easy to assume there’s nothing you can do.
Read the post3 common regulatory violations by real estate agents and brokers
Real estate agents and brokers in Minnesota must follow strict rules set by the state’s Department of Commerce.
Read the postHow do you challenge a denied business license?
Starting a business in Minnesota requires licenses and permits.
Read the postCan land use reform solve Minneapolis’s housing shortage?
Yes, land use reform can help address Minneapolis’s housing shortage. The city changed its zoning rules to allow more types of housing.
Read the postWhat to know about getting governmental approval for subdivisions?
If you plan to subdivide land in Minnesota, you need to understand the governmental approval process.
Read the postCan a business sue the state government for breach of contract?
Most businesses assume the government plays by the rules when it signs a contract. But what happens if the state doesn’t hold up its end of the deal?
Read the postHow do zoning ordinances affect business operations?
Zoning ordinances in Minnesota play a crucial role in shaping where and how businesses can operate.
Read the postWill the government change zoning for your business?
You have purchased a property that you want to use for your new business.
Read the postHow are Minnesota bank mergers regulated?
Bank mergers are common in the financial industry, and in Minnesota, they are governed by both state and federal regulations.
Read the postOverlooked government rules that could impact your business
Running a business in Minneapolis means dealing with more than just basic zoning laws.
Read the postNavigating mixed-use zoning: What business owners need to know
Have you ever driven past those modern buildings with shops on the ground floor and apartments above?
Read the postHow do Minnesota restaurants fail health inspections?
Health and safety rules help keep restaurant customers safe from food-related sickness and dirty conditions.
Read the postHow can you split your Minneapolis property?
Many Minneapolis property owners want to turn one big piece of land into smaller lots. This choice can add value to your property and create new building spots.
Read the postWhat is land grabbing?
Land grabbing happens when the government takes land, often unfairly, from individuals or communities. This can happen through force or legal loopholes.
Read the postWhen can the state condemn your business property?
Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, going through your emails and you spot a notification from the state about eminent domain.
Read the postWhat should restaurants do when facing FDA food safety claims?
Restaurants have to follow rules from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to keep people safe.
Read the postCommercial law
Contracts, real estate, lending, and the disputes that come with running a business in Minnesota.
What Minnesota business owners should know before a sale?
Selling a company can involve much more than agreeing on a price.
Read the postDocumenting a broker’s contribution to mortgage fraud
Banks and other mortgage lenders maintain clear standards for applicants to protect institutions from unnecessary risk and the threat of fraud.
Read the postCapital call disputes in Minnesota partnerships
Capital call disputes in Minnesota partnerships require an understanding of state law to protect your investment.
Read the postWhat legal risks should be considered when flipping properties?
Property flipping can look appealing when prices rise and demand stays strong.
Read the postWhat role does anti-money laundering play in corporate law?
Anti-money laundering (AML) laws are important rules that help prevent illegal activities like money laundering and terrorist financing.
Read the postWhat are common pitfalls in Minnesota joint-venture agreements?
A joint-venture agreement can help two businesses reach a shared goal, but small mistakes can create conflict fast.
Read the postWhat are compliance requirements for Minnesota community banks?
Community banks help keep Minnesota’s local economies strong. They provide loans, handle deposits, and support small businesses and families.
Read the postHow does foreclosure work in Minnesota?
If you fall behind on mortgage payments in Minnesota, you may face foreclosure.
Read the postWhat are the requirements for financial institutions under 4A?
Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) sets rules for the electronic transfer of funds.
Read the postWhat are the common types of business disputes?
Business disputes can arise in many areas, often affecting operations and profitability.
Read the postKey considerations in a shareholder dispute for a small business
Disagreements between shareholders can seriously disrupt a small business.
Read the postGrounds for piercing the corporate veil in a business lawsuit
In Minnesota, corporations and LLCs protect owners from personal liability, but that protection isn’t absolute.
Read the postKnow the risk of post-sale liability when selling real estate
Selling real estate does not always mean the risk ends at the closing table.
Read the postPurchasing commercial property in Minnesota
Buying commercial property in Minnesota can be a big step for your business or investment plans.
Read the postHow to break up with your business partner?
One unpleasant situation that business owners can face is the breakup of their business partnership.
Read the postHow does Minnesota handle breach of contract cases?
When a contract is breached in Minnesota, the law offers several ways to resolve the dispute and ensure fairness.
Read the postTypes of legal issues you can face as a landlord in Minnesota
Being a landlord in Minnesota comes with its own set of responsibilities and legal considerations.
Read the postWhat are seller disclosure requirements?
Selling your home in Minnesota means sharing important details with potential buyers.
Read the postWhat are the crucial elements of a construction contract?
Jumping into a construction project without a solid contract is like building a house on quicksand.
Read the postCan you hold personal real estate assets within a business entity?
Imagine you’re a king presiding over a magnificent castle, or perhaps just the owner of a lovely home.
Read the postTax strategies for small businesses: A guide for entrepreneurs
Starting and running a small business comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to managing taxes.
Read the postExplainers
Evergreen answers to the questions that come up first, written for people deciding what to do next.
What a reversal on the pleadings actually means
An appellate reversal at the pleading stage returns the case to the district court. What that ruling decides, what it does not, and why it still matters.
Read the explainerSincere, not orthodox: how courts read religious accommodation requests
Federal courts hold a religious accommodation request need not be orthodox, consistent, or purely religious to state a claim. What the pleading standard asks.
Read the explainerThe clock is the case: deadlines in employment accommodation matters
General deadlines in religious accommodation claims: EEOC charge windows, state limitations periods, and why the date of the adverse action matters most.
Read the explainerHow strategic group litigation works
One legal strategy behind many voices: how coalitions and individuals coordinate litigation, how the structure gets chosen, and what to bring to a first call.
Read the explainerResources are general information, not legal advice, and reading them does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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