Weeks Communications

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by Bree Meadows

 How do you make traditional phone service and client/relationship management software not only extremely affordable but also innovative and fun? Give it to a couple of Purdue student “geeks” and turn them loose on the business world. 

Since 2007, Cameron Weeks and his business partner Bracken Fields have been building a better phone system, and out of it, a phenomenal young company.  In 2011, they grew their team to support the new client base they were reaching and at the same time developed...

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Indianapolis: The Midwest Silicon Valley (or is it Silicorn Valley)

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 by Chris Stephen
I don't often re-post articles in full glory, but I couldn't resist with this one.  This is a great article from the OMMA (a magazine of online media, marketing & advertising).  There are some great quotes from quite a few movers and shakers in the Indiana technology area.  As a technology legal counsel located in Indianapolis, it warms my heart to see this kind of great press for the area.  Personally, I think all technology firms should move or open offices here.   

Big hat-tip to Jay Baer for...Read More »

Seventh Circuit decides SaaS litigation case

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 by Chris Stephen

There is a new Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that is likely to have a significant impact on SaaS providers.  In Digitech Computers, Inc. v. Trans-Care, Inc. (link here), the 7th Circuit focuses on a SaaS agreement for Digitech to provide certain management software licensing components for Trans-Care (an ambulance and medical transportation service).  The Court ultimately upheld a breach of contract claim in favor of Digitech, significantly reduced Digitech’s damages award, and...

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Slingshot SEO raises the bar again and again

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by Meg Shireman
Slingshot SEOOn Friday, May 6th, Slingshot SEO announced in a meeting with Governor Mitch Daniels and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard that the company will create up to 114 new jobs by 2013.  As one of Alerding Castor Hewitt's most beloved clients, we could not be more thrilled to see how far the search engine optimization firm has come since its 2006 founding.

In just three short years, Slingshot has seen a dramatic increase in employees from 9 to its current 65, and the companIEDC Press Conferencey plans to invest upwards of...Read More »

You knew it would happen. Government wants its share of the Net

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 by Chris Stephen
Dollar SignVery interesting article from CNet regarding the proposal to be made by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill).  The article can be found here.   Basic point of the article is that Senator Durbin wants to add sales taxes to on-line sellers like Amazon and iTunes (although I would note that I think iTunes already has a tax component) for all purchases.  The idea being that brick and mortar stores in a given state shouldn't have to foot the bill for these new-fangled on-line superstores.  They should have to...Read More »

Facebook v. Winklevoss et. al. : The end has arrived

Monday, April 11, 2011 by Chris Stephen
The end is finally nigh for the ongoing litigation roller coaster that is the Facebook/Mark Zuckerberg v. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss saga.  This has always been an interesting piece of software litigation based upon (a) the personalities involved and (b) the scale.  It is safe to say that when you are one of the fastest growing companies in the country, you are going to face litigation.  In fact, that's why you call me.  And it is equally logical that when you are creating a website or working...Read More »

Profile in client success: Gauge Telematics

Monday, March 7, 2011 by Meg Shireman
It isn't often that business law firms have the opportunity to really celebrate the success of clients.  Typically, the day to day is more about filing regulations with the SEC, setting up corporations and the like with the IRS, and drafting contracts, agreements and subscriptions.

Always out to break the law firm mold, Alerding Castor Hewitt, along with KSM Consulting, had the privilege of hosting a launch party for our client, Gauge Telematics, last week to both honor their success to date and...Read More »

What Is In A Title?

Monday, February 28, 2011 by David Castor
Agreement titles are funny things.  In their best use they quickly describe the general subject matter of the contract.  For most situations a simple title is helpful.  E.g., "Services Agreement" helps differentiate between a contract for services and one for goods.  That is helpful.  Many contract titles are more descriptive (e.g., "License Agreement", "SaaS Agreement" or "Software Service Level Agreement" to describe the technology nature of the agreement). 

Where a client is using form...Read More »

Congratulations to the partners

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by Chris Stephen
I know there will be an "official" congratulatory press release in the near future, but I thought I'd take a moment to congratulate the Alerding Castor Hewitt partners on being included in the 2011 Indiana Super Lawyers. 

Brian Hewitt received the nod as one of the Top 50 Super Lawyers in the state.  This is, of course, a recurring honor for Brian, who has been a Super Lawyer for the past several years.  Brian's practice focus is on business and probate litigation and mediation.   

The voters...Read More »

Entreprenuers Must Understand Cash Flows

Thursday, February 17, 2011 by David Castor
I have said it a million times since learning the lesson myself in a failed entrepreneurial effort a couple of years ago, the CEO of any entrepreneurial venture must understand the importance of managing cash flows and how to use cash flow analysis for the strategic growth of the company.

Trust me, I am all into the Six Sigma approach of throwing a couple of innovators together, rolling out a v1 product as quickly as possible, and slowly scaling the company from hobby phase to a successful...Read More »

New York guarantees lawyers to foreclosure debtors

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by Chris Stephen
 The first caveat is that I'm sorry I haven't posted anything recently.  Work here at Alerding Castor Hewitt has been going like gangbusters and yours truly has been up to his distinguished eyeballs in work.  Trust me, however, I'm now dutifully committing myself to continue providing insight and humor as your Indiana Internet Litigation guru. 

Second caveat is that this post actually has nothing to do with privacy litigation, software litigation or really any other technology law issues. ...Read More »

ALERDING CASTOR HEWITT LLP PARTNER TO TEACH HARRISON COLLEGE COURSE

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 by Lainey Scheetz

Indianapolis, IN – Mike Alerding, founding partner of Alerding Castor Hewitt LLP, is slated to teach Business Law at Harrison College this spring.  The course combines the understanding of legal theory with the acquaintance of the various forms of contracts.  Students will be taught the essentials of the legal environment of business, tort law, contracts, commercial transactions, government relations and property. 

“I am teaching because I enjoy the process of observing the improvement and...

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TECHNOLOGY LAW FIRM – THE SEASON OF CELEBRATION

Monday, December 20, 2010 by Scott Kreider

Your friendly neighborhood litigation attorney at Alerding Castor Hewitt, LLP with a final post for the year to all of our business, Indiana internet litigation, and technology law clients.  Saturday, December 25th will no doubt be a date of celebration in many homes.  As you spend time with your family, remember how special the day is and all of the changes that have taken place in the last 20 years.

Some of you might wonder what I mean exactly.  I’m not referring to Christmas.  And for those...

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Funding Law - Know Your IRR

Monday, November 22, 2010 by David Castor
It has been said a million times already on this blog – a CEO, especially one which is seeking funds from private equity investors, needs to understand finance.  Often a basic knowledge of sources and uses and cash flow analysis is enough, but in many early stage investment rounds, savvy investors expect the CEO to know the company's internal rate of return (IRR) - and why it matters. 

I meet many entrepreneurs who have served as VPs or middle managers before embarking on their entrepreneurial...Read More »

INDIANAPOLIS LITIGATION--COLLECTING ON YOUR JUDGMENT

Monday, November 15, 2010 by Scott Kreider

Here at Alerding Castor Hewitt, LLP, one thing that we are called upon to do as business law, SaaS law, and technology counsel for our clients is collect on a judgment.  I have previously posted on other topics in the collections world, which you can find here and here.  Today’s topic is in answer to the question we sometimes get:  how long is my judgment good for?

A decision today by the Indiana Court of Appeals in the estate case of In the Matter of the Unsupervised Estate of Dwight M. Wilson...

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The Legal Landscape of Corporate Blogging - Part 1: Introduction

Monday, November 15, 2010 by Chris Stephen
I can read your mind.  You are thinking, "oh, great and insightful technology legal counsel, what do you mean by a 'legal landscape' and what does that have to do with blogging?"  My initial response is that, (a) you've asked two questions and (b) if you plan to use blogging as a component of your business model, you need to know what potential pitfalls exist.  That is the legal landscape of blogging.  It is made up of the hills and valleys that must be overcome or avoided to reach blogging...Read More »

New interface for Creative Commons search engine

Friday, November 12, 2010 by Chris Stephen
Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Compendium Blogware, I presented a fun webinar last week on the Legal Landscape of Corporate Blogging.  Don't fret, dear reader;  I intend to put together several posts over the weekend that hit the highlights of my presentation.  Overall, I discussed topics like privacy litigation, copyright, defamation, Section 230 protections, etc.  The fun stuff of blogging. 

One area that I discussed and have had several questions about is Creative Commons.  For those of...Read More »

Techpoint Summit 2010 - Innovation at its finest

Sunday, October 31, 2010 by Chris Stephen
Last Wednesday, I had the great opportunity to attend the 2010 Techpoint Summit.  For those of you that don't know, Techpoint is organization with the mission of "accelerating Indiana's emerging and vibrant tech sector" (source:  www.techpoint.org).  This great organization fosters and nurtures the technology sector that is developing in Indiana.  It brings the innovators together and gives them a voice.  And, their yearly summit is an excellent example of the work they are doing.  In the same...Read More »

Funding Law – TechPoint Innovation Summit

Thursday, October 21, 2010 by David Castor
Next week I am moderating the plenary panel at TechPoint’s Innovation Summit entitled Funding Innovation

Check it out: TechPoint Innovation Summit
 
Also check out the sponsors page.  I counted today, and nine Alerding Castor Hewitt clients are sponsors of the Summit.  That is awesome. 

This year’s panel members represent private equity investors, angel investor groups, successful entrepreneurs and grant funding organizations which look for funding and investment opportunities in Indiana...Read More »

Dave Castor to Host Compendium Blogware Webinar

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 by Lainey Scheetz

Firm founder and partner, David Castor, is slated to host a Compendium Webinar entitled "The Legal Landscape of Corporate Blogging." The webinar takes place on November 3rd from 2:00p-3:00p EST.  

Dave plans to address the do's and don'ts of online marketing, how to protect your intellectual capital and protect your company's bottom line.  Participants were asked to submit questions for Dave prior to the webinar. 

The firm has a strong SaaS law practice, SaaS litigation practice as well as...

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