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When it comes to running a successful startup business, owners have their hands full. They are responsible for designing plans, developing products and services, hiring staff, and promoting the business. Legal issues are often low on the list of priorities, but a little bit of legal foresight can help prevent costly problems down the road. If you learn how to avoid the most common errors, your startup can run smoothly from the beginning and your company is better prepared to be successful and profitable in the long run.

Eaton Peabody senior counsel Katherine Porter, and associates Rebecca LaPierre and Johanna Colpritt will provide startup business owners with guidance on the following topics:

• Business Formation
• Employment
• Financing Options
• Intellectual Property

 
Katherine L. Porter – Senior Counsel

Katherine represents private and public employers in all aspects of labor and employment matters. She routinely advises clients on federal, state, and local employment laws, including on discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, accommodations, leaves, wage and hour, COVID-19 compliance, whistleblower and misclassification issues. Katherine has extensive experience drafting agreements for labor and employment matters, consulting with clients on internal investigations and advising clients on employment and litigation issues for corporate transactions. She has also defended clients in a variety of employment matters in federal court and before federal, state and local administrative agencies.
 
Rebecca LaPierre - Associate

Rebecca’s practice focuses on a range of labor, employment, and immigration issues including management defense, MHRC, ADA, wage & hour, sexual harassment, FMLA, employee handbooks, employee discipline and discharge, discrimination, whistleblower actions, employment related investigations, collective bargaining, employment related contracts, employment and family based immigration, and other employment, labor an immigration issues. Rebecca also maintains a small guardianship practice, primarily focused on SIJS eligible juveniles, as well as incapacitated adults.
 
Rebecca has been actively following COVID-19 related laws and guidance for employers. Rebecca advises businesses on issues such as COVID-19 testing for employees, vaccinations, compliance with workplace safety measures such as mask and social distancing requirements, remote work policies, return to work policies, COVID-19 related leave, and more.
 
Johanna Colpritt –  Associate

Johanna is an Associate in Eaton Peabody’s Business Practice Group. She is based in the Firm’s Portland office, but frequently travels to, and works with, those in the Bangor and Ellsworth offices. Johanna’s areas of focus include business formation and structuring, mergers and acquisitions, angel/venture capital financings, securities offerings, and general corporate work.
 
Prior to joining Eaton Peabody, Johanna earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in May 2019. Johanna earned the Corporate/Business Law Award, an award given to one student in the graduating class for displaying academic excellence and achievement in the select area of law.