Christopher T. Craig

Tortious Interference with Business Expectancy

June 13, 2022

There are 5 required elements to a tortious interference with contract claim: (1) the existence of a valid and enforceable contract between two parties; (2) a third party’s awareness of that contractual relationship; (3) that third party’s intentional and unjustified inducement of one party to breach the contract; (4) a resulting breach caused by that third party’s conduct; and (5) damages. Wrongful Conduct Wrongful or illegal conduct must be proven to prevail in tortious interference claim. For example, defaming a product or a seller’s services with false negative characteristics, or a breach of contract resulting from a third party’s bribery, fraud, use of criminal extortion or violence, unfounded litigation, deceit or conduct that violates antitrust laws may give rise to a tortious interference claim as well. However, conduct consistent with aggressive competition, such as ending a contractual relationship or discontinuing a product where the discontinuance or termination is not accompanied by wrongful or illegal conduct designed to cause the plaintiff financial harm, is not an act of tortious interference. Privileged Interference There are several privilege-based defenses to tortious interference claims. For example, when the third party is motivated to protect his or her substantial interest based on an objectively reasonable

Easy Steps to Estate Planning Fairfax VA

June 7, 2022

Estate planning is important for everyone. Despite what you may think, nearly everyone has an estate, including, for example: a car, home, investments, checking and savings accounts, life insurance, personal possessions, and the like. Large or small, everyone has an estate. And, as we all know, you can’t take your estate with you when you die. Estate planning is the process of preparing detailed instructions for how you want your estate to be handled after you die. Making the plan now will ensure that your wishes are carried out efficiently and in the manner that you desire. Estate planning can involve a variety of actions. For example, your estate planning may include: Adopting living trusts or wills to help manage and dispose of your estate, and naming agents and instructions under advanced medical directives and powers of attorney to assist you with your health care and financial affairs while you are alive. Completing or updating beneficiary designations and otherwise aligning them with your plan. Securing insurance, such as disability income insurance, to replace your income if you can not work due to injury or illness, long term care insurance to help pay for your care during extended

services contract lawyer Northern Virginia

Tips for Services Contracts for Businesses

May 2, 2022

Contracts are everywhere, especially in business. It is crucial to understand your contract and how they can help protect you and your business. Your contracts lawyer can greatly help. What is a Services Contract? A services contract is an agreement between you or your business, and a client or customer, under which you offer to provide services. The contract sets forth terms and conditions covering the services to be provided, and any other important related matters. For example, a roofer would use a services agreement to detail his roofing work, compensation, and timing. Drafting Contracts Your services contract must include certain key elements; your business lawyer can help you draft the contract to ensure the contract says what you want it to say. Typical contracts often include: Contact information for both parties Scope of Services and/or work Compensation terms Timeline for services to be completed Indemnification terms Warranties Default terms Insurance and compliance terms Dispute resolution and remedies Additionally, your contract may need specific terms and conditions unique to your business, such as: Non-solicitation Clause to prevent a party from soliciting or hiring the other party’s employees; Confidentiality Clause to prevent a party from

Why Hire an Election Campaign Lawyer in Virginia?

March 21, 2022

In addition to our other legal offerings, we serve as federal and state campaign and election counsel. Campaign finance and election law is important at both state and federal levels. Our team has high-level experience as election campaign lawyers in Virginia. What Does an Election Lawyer Do? Among other things, an election lawyer will: Protect clients from campaign finance and election law pitfalls Offer election law workshops and seminars focusing on election day activity and finance Assist with local ordinance, ballot, and initiative elections Prepare amicus curiae briefs on election matters Draft campaign finance reform legislation Create campaign, party, and political action committees, and serve as counsel to the committees, focusing on structure, finance registration and reporting, political advertising laws and the like Serve as election litigation counsel Campaign Finance Advice Election lawyers have experience with a wide range of campaign finance and election law matters, including spending and contribution limits, advertising, registering, and reporting and disclosures. Cook, Craig and Francuzenko attorneys are experienced and ready to assist candidates, party committees and political action committees by providing legal advice on election law requirements. From campaign finance reports and loan agreements, to the formation of independent expenditure committees, or issuing advocacy

When Do You Need a Virginia Asset Protection Trust?

February 28, 2022

Do you want to protect your assets from certain future creditors? In doing so, are you willing to give up control over those assets? If you answer yes, you may want to consider a Virginia Self-Settled Spendthrift Trust. What is a Self-Settled Spendthrift Trust in Virginia? This is an irrevocable trust where you create and fund a trust that protects assets from general creditors and is administered by a Qualified Independent Trustee who may apply the income and principal of the trust to you or your needs, as well as other beneficiaries such as your spouse, children, or grandchildren. If you decide you want to look into such a trust, keep in mind: The transfer of assets to the trust may not render you insolvent. Under the Virginia code you may transfer some assets to the trust but must retain sufficient assets to meet current financial obligations. The trust must always have an Independent Qualified Trustee. The Asset Protection Trust must be administered by a trustee that is not you, your spouse, parent, sibling, descendant, employee, or a business entity controlled by you. That trustee must be a resident of Virginia, or an entity licensed and domiciled in Virginia that