In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin chats with Christopher Ezold, partner at Wisler Pearlstine, a Pennsylvania-based law firm specializing in business, employment, and corporate law. Christopher shares insights on emerging legal risks and trends that businesses should prepare for, especially amid economic uncertainties in 2025. Key topics include the importance of securing debt, the complexities of cybersecurity and privacy laws, the rise of labor and employment issues, and the challenges around mergers and acquisitions.

Hall and Christopher also delve into common legal missteps that lead businesses into lawsuits and emphasize the significance of proper documentation and early involvement of legal counsel. Christopher explains the nature of fraud, distinguishing between intentional deception and negligence that creates opportunities for fraudulent actions. He recounts complex fraud cases, including one involving a private equity fund’s deceptive practices, and shares lessons learned from these experiences.

The conversation also touches on the fluid legal landscape of non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, offering advice on how to ensure these agreements are both necessary and enforceable. Christopher highlights various ways fraud can occur within a company, from overvaluing assets to manipulating earnings, and stresses the importance of internal vigilance and thorough investigation. Hall and Christopher discuss strategies for addressing potential fraud or legal violations, from preserving data and starting immediate investigations to understanding the impact and having flexible plans in place. Christopher underscores the importance of having a trustworthy attorney who understands the business and can provide early advice to avoid litigation.

The episode concludes with practical tips on engaging the right authorities for different types of fraud cases and the critical role of transparency and trust in the attorney-client relationship. 

For more information or to contact Christopher, visit www.wislerpearlstine.com or email him at cezold@wispearl.com. 

 

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Hall T Martin is the director of Investor Connect, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the education of investors for early-stage funding. All opinions expressed by Hall and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Investor Connect. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for the basis of investment decisions.