Author Archive

Donald W. Hudspeth

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How Companies Can Restructure Proactively to Position for Growth

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published February 11, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: business, restructuring, startups | Leave a comment

Proactive restructuring means strategically redesigning a company’s organization, processes and agreements: not as a response to crisis, but as an investment in future potential. As companies scale up — adding more people, products and markets — they naturally encounter more complexity. Without foresight, this complexity can threaten hard-won momentum. As startups mature, their informal, adaptable Read More

What Companies May Miss During Early-Stage NDA Negotiations

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published February 4, 2026 | Posted in trade secrets | Tagged Tags: confidential, nda, nondisclosure agreements | Leave a comment

Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) are often treated as routine paperwork — a quick box to check before meaningful negotiations begin. But early conversations frequently involve some of the most sensitive information a company will ever share: strategic plans, pricing models, customer insights, product roadmaps and technical know-how. When the NDA is weak or incomplete, damage can Read More

Hidden Traps in Commercial Leases: What Tenants Often Overlook

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published January 28, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: commercial leases, estate, tenants | Leave a comment

Commercial leases may seem straightforward at first glance, but they contain obligations and risks that can significantly affect a tenant’s operations and financial stability. These agreements can be heavily tilted in the landlord’s favor unless tenants know what to look for. Understanding the hidden traps before signing can prevent costly surprises down the road. Here Read More

Crafting Commercial Contracts to Reduce Operational Risk

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published January 21, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: business, commercial contracts, risk management | Leave a comment

In commercial relationships, there is the possibility of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes or external events. The structure of a contract — that is, how its provisions are organized and made operational — can play a central role in lessening disruptions. A poorly structured contract can lead to scope creep, missed obligations Read More

LLC Operating Agreements 101: Don’t Use a Standard Online Template

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published January 14, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: compensation, Contributions, provisions | Leave a comment

In the age of instant access, online “standard template” LLC operating agreements lure new business owners with vaunted speed, simplicity and low cost. But this convenience is an illusion. Limited liability companies are adaptable to the specific needs of their owners. No two LLCs are exactly alike. Relying on a generic template assumes facts and Read More

Force Majeure in the Modern Era: What Is an “Unforeseeable Event”?

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published January 7, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: business contracts, drafting, foreseeability | Leave a comment

The “force majeure” clause has long lingered in the shadows of business contracts, being viewed as routine legal boilerplate. But in the face of disruptions like the Red Sea shipping crisis and the sweeping 2020 lockdowns and business failures, these paragraphs have leapt to center stage. In an era some have called “permacrisis” — a Read More

Is Your Business Sale-Ready? A Pre-Due-Diligence Checklist

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published December 31, 2025 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: contracts, financials, Intellectual Property | Leave a comment

Most business owners focus on valuation only when they think about selling. But in practice, deals fall apart not because of price, but because of what buyers uncover during due diligence. Surprises slow negotiations, reduce leverage and can even kill a transaction. Preparing early — ideally 12 to 24 months before going to market — Read More

What You Should Know About Arizona’s Commercial Court

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published December 24, 2025 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: commercial, disputes, litigation | Leave a comment

Several U.S. states have established specialized business courts to resolve complex commercial disputes efficiently and cost-effectively. In Arizona, the state’s business court is a dedicated division of the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. The Commercial Court is designed to handle high-stakes disputes between businesses. It is staffed by three judges with backgrounds in commercial Read More

Core Terms That Should Be in Every Franchise Agreement

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published December 17, 2025 | Posted in Franchise Agreement | Tagged Tags: compliance, contract, fees, rights | Leave a comment

A franchise agreement is a legally binding contract between a franchisor (the owner of a brand and its operating system) and a franchisee (an independent business owner). It governs the use of the franchisor’s intellectual property, business methods, and support systems by the franchisee, in exchange for payments such as franchise fees and ongoing royalties. Read More

Hybrid Work Compliance: What Employers Need to Know in 2026

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published December 10, 2025 | Posted in Employment Law | Tagged Tags: privacy, security, Wage, work environments | Leave a comment

In just five years, hybrid work has transitioned from a temporary pandemic remedy to an enduring feature of employment. As organizations embrace remote and onsite work combinations, regulatory frameworks are evolving to address the new dynamics. Compliance has become central to risk management and employee relations, and employers’ failure to adapt can have serious consequences. Read More

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Donald W. Hudspeth

Principal Attorney

Attorney Donald W. Hudspeth has more than twenty years’ experience practicing corporate and business law. Before attending law school, Mr. Hudspeth held a stock brokers license at the age of 21 and owned his own business at the age of 23. He was a business law professor at Arizona State University, West Campus, and has conducted classes and seminars for a number of higher institutions and organizations. Mr. Hudspeth has published two books on law and is the founder of the radio programs Law on the Edge and Law Talk.

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The scholarship is awarded to students for academic merit with an interest in business and business law. Candidates may have majored in fields other than business, have taken a break between college and law school, or have had exceptional life experiences.

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