Johnston Business Law Group

Johnston Business Law Group I am a small business lawyer helping clients get value legal services for the business operations, t

I work with small business owners and aspiring small business owners only. I am an adviser and advocate for small business owners, helping them navigate the perilous waters of the legal world as it applies to businesses. I know that small businesses have a limited budget and I work very hard to work with a small business budget. My General Counsel Services, a monthly flat fee service to provide le

gal counsel when you need it, features Meterless Communications, the ability to send emails when you want, to schedule calls when you need, all without having to pay extra. In my opinion it is far better for a small business client to ask me 100 questions a month before they take an action that may require tens of thousands of dollars to correct after the fact. Most of my clients will tell you, I am approachable, understanding and will take as much time as you need to understand the options you have.

Mr. Johnston Goes to Annapolis--Sort of - https://mailchi.mp/c5088a4b1422/intern-hiring-season-6423044 You can read my w...
02/24/2026

Mr. Johnston Goes to Annapolis--Sort of - https://mailchi.mp/c5088a4b1422/intern-hiring-season-6423044 You can read my written testimony that I submitted to the House of Delegates on HB 1229, the bill to increase the minimum wage to $25 per hour. The testimony may take a turn you might not have anticipated.

This Flat Fee Friday is for existing Johnston Business Law Group clients for whom I wrote or revised your employee handb...
07/18/2025

This Flat Fee Friday is for existing Johnston Business Law Group clients for whom I wrote or revised your employee handbook. I recommend an annual check-up on your employee handbook.

Avoid troubles and have a few legal defenses by having an employee handlbook. At the Johnston Business Law Group, we can...
07/11/2025

Avoid troubles and have a few legal defenses by having an employee handlbook. At the Johnston Business Law Group, we can work with a small business with employees to have a compliant and business-specific handlbook that represents your business and your culture. An employee handbook is not a soulless document, it is a living, breathing representation of your business and your business culture.

The Grand Experiment in republican democracy has continued for 249 years. Through war, recession, depression, victory, e...
07/04/2025

The Grand Experiment in republican democracy has continued for 249 years. Through war, recession, depression, victory, expansion, growth, and prosperity, the United States of America remains a shining beacon of hope, prosperity, and freedom in the world. We have problems, to be sure, but this is a country where even our worst critics choose to stay which says a lot about our Nation.

If you can't find it in your heart to celebrate the United States of America today, I urge you to at least celebrate that one institution that has pushed the USA to the top of the economic ladder--the small business. Every business, even the corporate giants of today, started as a small business. Small businesses today account for more jobs, more economic opportunity, and more freedom than ever before. Celebrate one of those institutions.

In my life, I have been proud to serve in the United States Navy. Today, I am proud to represent small business owners and will cotinue to do so.

Happy Independence Day to all!

Another older Contracts in the Wild video. This time, I had a little mini-rant and made a mistake in the number of Commo...
07/02/2025

Another older Contracts in the Wild video. This time, I had a little mini-rant and made a mistake in the number of Commonwealths in the United States. https://youtu.be/gVEmprnL-rU?si=VD0wefJl1vaqD5WD

There are four commonwealths in the United States--can you name them?

Changes in the presidential administrations, actions by the state legislature, and even the evolution of best practices ...
06/27/2025

Changes in the presidential administrations, actions by the state legislature, and even the evolution of best practices can cause an employee handbook to be out of compliance. Since the employee handbook can make your life easier on a day-to-day basis, and if something happens with an employee, a good employee handbook is a must-have. If you haven't had your handbook reviewed in a while, we can conduct a review and revise it as needed. We recommend an annual check.

A few years ago, I started but did not follow through on an educational video series on contracts, hopefully educating s...
06/25/2025

A few years ago, I started but did not follow through on an educational video series on contracts, hopefully educating small business owners on contract language and what those provisions packed with legalese mean in the real world. So, Contracts in the Wild is making a return. New Episodes to come.

Here is the first from a long time ago on contract boilerplate. https://youtu.be/MzN0Q5tougI?si=xFjl6tR8XtDKrutz

A short while ago, I talked to a local small business owner who has been living through the hassle and fallout of fraudu...
06/23/2025

A short while ago, I talked to a local small business owner who has been living through the hassle and fallout of fraudulent credit card chargebacks. Check out my interview with Teresa on my Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/GD8WrDQt1iY?si=NOisqm63N3I9onsc

Do you use SaaS for your business? Of course you do (I use six myself). Well, many SaaS subscriptions can be taxed in on...
06/21/2025

Do you use SaaS for your business? Of course you do (I use six myself). Well, many SaaS subscriptions can be taxed in one of two ways, depending on how it is used. In my latest blog post, I talk about how SaaS might be taxed at 3% or at 6%, based on the use case. I know, it is not a massive difference on a monthly subscription, but why give the General Assembly and Maryland more of your money? Check out the post here: https://johnston-legal.com/2025/06/21/marylands-saas-sales-tax-twist/

Address

122 E Patrick Street, # 103
Frederick, MD
21701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12404158425

Website

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