Programing and events

EQUINOX FOCUS

At Equinox, we strive to provide you with information to help you balance business and law.  We do this through our services but also through our Equinox Focus programs.  Each month we highlight a topic of interest to business owners, providing strategy, operations, and legal context to help you balance the issues of business and law.  We will incorporate the Equinox Focus theme through all our communications, including newsletters, blogs, social media, and seminars and bring to you not only our perspective, but ideas from other experts in the field.  If you have suggestion for a program or topic, please email us.

  • EQUINOX Focus
  • EQUINOX Events
  • Other Events

JANUARY 2012

TAX UPDATE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 2012 -- AND 2011, TOO

Most activities in your business have tax implications. You can proactively plan your business decisions to capitalize on tax advantages and save money. Do you know what qualifies you for the R&D tax benefit? It's much broader than you think! What small business tax credits can you take advantage of in your hiring and benefits? Find out how you can plan ahead to take advantage of the tax benefits available!

Guest Bloggers:


Seminar:  Tax Update:  What You Need To Know for 2012 - and 2011, too.  Click the Equinox Events tab above for more information and to register. 


FEBRUARY 2012

SEATTLE SICK LEAVE LAW: YES, IT PROBABLY APPLIES TO YOU...

In September 2011, the City of Seattle passed new legislation requiring Seattle businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees. The law takes effect in September 2012 and will require many Seattle area employers to change their benefits policies to incorporate these new regulations. Many businesses not based within the Seattle city limits do not believe this legislation applies to them; however, the law does apply to businesses who have employees who work in Seattle. This month, we will share the details of how the Seattle Sick Leave Law will be implemented so you can determine whether it applies to you and how you might need to change your benefits policies to incorporate these new rules.

Guest Bloggers:
TBD

Seminar:  Seattle Sick Leave Law:  Yes, It Probably Applies to You.  Click the Equinox Events tab above for more information and to register. 

MARCH 2012

EXIT PLANNING: HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SALE OF YOUR BUSINESS

Did you know that 80% of pentamillionaires (those with a net worth of $5 million or more) are entrepreneurs who sold their businesses? Their wealth came from selling a business that they created or built. So, how to you think about capitalizing on the great business you've built?

Planning early is the key. By thinking about the exit plan now, you'll have insight as to what strategies you must put in place to successfully sell your business. This month, we'll share critical success factors in planning for the sale of your business including knowing who your prospective buyers are, valuing your business, building a strong management team, and understanding what the sale transaction looks like. Our Focus Event will be a workshop format where you can begin putting the pieces together for your business.

Guest Bloggers:


Seminar:  Exit Planning: How to Prepare for the Sale of Your Business.  Click the Equinox Events tab above for more information and to register. 


January 25, 2012

TAX UPDATE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 2012 – AND 2011, TOO!

Tax planning for your business is not just a year-end activity – it's part of planning, too!  Join us to learn what tax incentives are available to your business and how you can take advantage of them for 2012 (and maybe 2011 as well).  We will specifically cover:

  • Research and Development credits
  • Small Employer Health Insurance credit
  • HIRE Act and other hiring incentives
  • Merchant card reporting requirements
  • Pre-Opening business expenses
  • Compensation for business owners
  • Contractor versus employee regulations


Location: The Partners Group (formerly Baldwin Resource Group)
                 Executive Education Center
                 Lincoln Executive Center II
                 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 400
                 Bellevue, WA  98007

Time:         7:30am - 9:30am

Cost:         $45
                 *Free to Equinox clients and guests

More Information and Registration: contact@equinoxbusinesslaw.com or 425-250-0205

Presenters:

Mary Dowling Marino is a tax Partner with CliftonLarsonAllen specializing in planning and compliance for closely-held businesses and their owners.  Mary's career includes more than 20 years in public accounting with several of the world's largest firms. In the last ten years, Mary has worked exclusively with privately-held companies and their owners. Mary has worked extensively in the areas of pass-through entities, business transition and executive compensation. She has represented many clients in IRS matters and has advised clients as to entity structure in domestic and international operations.  A published author, Mary also serves as of CliftonLarsonAllen's internal tax instructors.

Michelle Hayden Bomberger, founder and Managing Attorney of Equinox Business Law Group PLLC, is an experienced businesswoman turned lawyer.  Michelle began her career in business as a consultant with Ernst & Young LLP serving Fortune 500 clients and fur-ther deepened her knowledge of business operations as a Senior Manager of Auditing Services at Cingular Wireless.  Michelle founded Equinox in 2005 with a mission to help business owners and CEOs find balance in business.  Michelle attended graduate school at Northwestern University in Chicago, obtaining a JD from the School of Law and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  She has an undergraduate degree in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame.

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

SEATTLE SICK LEAVE LAW: YES, IT PROBABLY APPLIES TO YOU

In September 2011, the City of Seattle passed new legislation requiring Seattle businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees. The law takes effect in September 2012 and will require many Seattle area employers to change their benefits policies to incorporate these new regulations. Many businesses not based within the Seattle city limits do not believe this legislation applies to them; however, the law does apply to businesses who have employees who work in Seattle. Join us to learn how this new law applies to your business and how to most effectively incorporate the requirements into your company's policies.



Location: The Partners Group (formerly Baldwin Resource Group)
                 Executive Education Center
                 Lincoln Executive Center II
                 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 400
                 Bellevue, WA  98007


Time:         7:30am - 9:30am

Cost:        $45
                 *Free to Equinox clients and guests

More Information and Registration: contact@equinoxbusinesslaw.com or 425-250-0205

Presenters:

Michelle Hayden Bomberger, founder and Managing Attorney of Equinox Business Law Group PLLC, is an experienced businesswoman turned lawyer.  Michelle began her career in business as a consultant with Ernst & Young LLP serving Fortune 500 clients and fur-ther deepened her knowledge of business operations as a Senior Manager of Auditing Services at Cingular Wireless.  Michelle founded Equinox in 2005 with a mission to help business owners and CEOs find balance in business.  Michelle attended graduate school at Northwestern University in Chicago, obtaining a JD from the School of Law and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  She has an undergraduate degree in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame

MARCH 28, 2012

EXIT PLANNING: THE REAL MONEY COMES WHEN YOU SELL YOUR BUSINESS

All the hard work you've put into your business really pays off when you sell it. By thinking about the exit plan now, you'll have insight as to what strategies you must put in place to successfully sell your business. Join us for a hands-on workshop to help you develop a plan for exiting your business successfully. The workshop will address questions such as:

  • Who are your prospective buyers are
  • How do you value your business
  • When is the right time to sell
  • How to develop a strong management team
  • What are the critical points in the transaction you should understand now

Join us to get started on the path toward a successful exit from your business.



Location: The Partners Group (formerly Baldwin Resource Group)
                 Executive Education Center
                 Lincoln Executive Center II
                 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 400
                 Bellevue, WA  98007


Time:         7:30am - 9:30am

Cost:        $45
                 *Free to Equinox clients and guests

More Information and Registration: contact@equinoxbusinesslaw.com or 425-250-0205

Presenters:

Dave Shapiro, founder of Excell Puget Sound, as been active in both the Seattle and Portland business communities, developing raw start-ups to operating mature companies, sold for a combined cash/stock price of $30 million. In addition to operating a manufacturer, a catalogue company and medical products distributor, he has managed a boutique investment bank and the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Washington. David earned his JD degree from Lewis and Clark School of Law, Masters from Denver University's School of Business and Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. As a single parent with twin daughters, Dave has also remained active in community affairs, including participation, as a board member, of a medical college. He lives with the love of his life and their golden retriever in the Mt. Baker/Seward Park neighborhood in Seattle.

Michelle Hayden Bomberger, founder and Managing Attorney of Equinox Business Law Group PLLC, is an experienced businesswoman turned lawyer.  Michelle began her career in business as a consultant with Ernst & Young LLP serving Fortune 500 clients and fur-ther deepened her knowledge of business operations as a Senior Manager of Auditing Services at Cingular Wireless.  Michelle founded Equinox in 2005 with a mission to help business owners and CEOs find balance in business.  Michelle attended graduate school at Northwestern University in Chicago, obtaining a JD from the School of Law and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  She has an undergraduate degree in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame