Aligned Law

03/28/2023

Curious about different types of business ownership models? Our own Alix Devendra will be speaking at a B Local PDX breakfast learning event along with folks from Grand Central Bakery, PixelSpoke, and Forcefield Capital. This is going to be an amazing opportunity to learn about worker-owned cooperatives, B Corps, financial opportunities for alternative business models, and more. Get your ticket at the link below:

Curious about alternative business ownership models? Don't miss this panel discussion featuring innovative B Corp CEOs and advisors!

03/04/2023

10/26/2022

A HUGE congratulations to Wholehearted Business for their gorgeous new website! It's been a long time coming and we know that the whole team has worked long and hard on this new digital space.

If you are a business looking for just the right marketing team, we wholeheartedly recommend these folks. They are the ones responsible for OUR website and we're sure this one is going to win awards.

We're a diverse team of business differencemakers, creative professionals, and catalysts for personal and social positive change. Fueled by inspiration, activated by thoughtful intention and energized by creative collaboration, we're a force for good -- dedicated to our clients who are making the wo...

10/25/2022

Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and build resilient, inclusive communities. Under the theme "Co-ops Build Economic Power," this year's Co-op Month is also a chance to lift up the cooperative business model as the best way to build an economy that empowers everyone.

Here at Aligned Law, we specialize in helping people form new cooperatives or convert existing businesses to the cooperative model (for example, when a retiring owner sells the company to their employees).

For more information on co-ops in general, check out this PBS documentary: https://www.pbs.org/video/immense-possibilities-co-operative-economy/.

As always, we'd love to chat with you about whether or not a cooperative structure makes sense for you. Schedule a consult with Alix using our website here: https://aligned.law/contact/.

10/04/2022

As a reminder to companies with independent contractors performing work in Seattle, the city's Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance, SMC 14.34, which expands protections for independent contractors, went into effect on September 1, 2022.

The ordinance applies to all hiring entities and covers any independent contractor who performs work, in whole or in part, in Seattle. Importantly, the ordinance requires companies to deliver the following information to such contractors: pre-work written disclosures, a notice of rights, as well as compensation itemization disclosures each time a contractor is paid. The ordinance also imposes new penalties for untimely contractor payments.

Please reach out to us if you have questions about how this would work for you and your business.

09/27/2022

This month's client spotlight: The Raven's Wing Magical Co. - Portland!

The Raven’s Wing Magical Co. is a metaphysical based retail company that has been making magic in Oakland for nearly 15 years, and is quickly approaching 6 years of sharing spellcraft in Portland.

Recently, the staff of both stores came together and asked us to help them form a cooperative. They're now entirely employee-owned and operated!

The worker-owners are so grateful to the shops' founder, astrologer, and amazing human Barry Perlman for his generosity, support, and his kind hearted spirit of community. His vision for this magical business always included a shared ownership model, and now this vision has come to fruition.

Raven's Wing is also committed to creating jobs at a living wage or better in a safe, humane, and democratic environment by providing spiritual and magical resources to our communities. Their spirit of teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect has always been one of their strengths, and their shared values help them to collectively work to make magic happen everyday. Aligned Law is proud to have helped them convert their business into a cooperative! Visit them online (theravenswing.com) to learn more.

09/02/2022

We're excited to see some of you next week at the US Federation of Worker Owned Cooperatives Conference in Philadelphia! https://www.conference.coop/home/

Let us know if you'll be there. We'll be sure to update everyone about what we learn.

08/24/2022

Aligned Law is thrilled to announce that we’ve launched a beautiful new upgrade to our website. Not only have we up-leveled the design, it also has more specifics to help you make decisions about various legal projects you’ve got planned for the future. Come take a look and let us know what you think!

BIG gratitude to Amanda Winn of Wholehearted Business for shepherding us through the process!

https://aligned.law

08/16/2022

How do you manage potential business disputes AHEAD of when they happen? Use the Conscious Contracts process of course!

The Importance of Negotiating Frame and Framework for Business Relationships

07/25/2022

This month's Client Spotlight is on Empower Electric Bikes Cooperative who came to us as Seattle Electric Bike. Over the past year, we helped them convert the company to a worker-owned cooperative (just completed this month!) They will continue to use the name Seattle Electric Bike during the transition period.

Empower operates three retail locations in Washington State. Empower's flagship location is located in Seattle's Greenlake neighborhood, with two other locations in downtown Bothell and Bellingham's Historic Fairhaven District. Empower offers a wide variety of high performance electric-assist bicycles, accessories, and service for every riding discipline and skill level.

The new co-op strives to offer its members and employees the tools they need to explore new areas of opportunity including more community outreach, a new electric bike rental program, and a certified pre-owned sales department. The co-op also seeks to offer better pay and benefits to its team who are the heart of its operation.

Empower believes that its commitment to offering a more rewarding work environment, along with higher wages and benefits, will directly benefit the communities in which its team members live.

Empower will continue to advocate the use of electric-assist bicycles as a transportation alternative and gateway to a healthier lifestyle. Visit them online here: https://www.seattleelectricbicyclecompany.com/

07/08/2022