Author Archive

Donald W. Hudspeth

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Arizona Bill Would Restrict Premature Franchise Terminations

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published May 6, 2026 | Posted in Business Law | Tagged Tags: business, franchise litigation, house bill | Leave a comment

Franchisees devote substantial time, money and effort into making their business a success. While each franchise agreement has its own unique elements, it is generally understood that these extensive contracts favor the franchisor. There have been cases in these relationships where large companies have pulled the plug on small business owners seemingly for no good Read More

Arizona Court of Appeals Holds that Government Contractors Do Not Have to Abide By Cities’ Prevailing Wage Rules

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published April 29, 2026 | Posted in construction law | Tagged Tags: contract, contractors, wage rules | Leave a comment

Anyone who has attempted to secure a government contract understands that they must follow a series of rules and procedures that do not apply to agreements between private parties. In some situations, it seems like one law contradicts another, forcing businesses to assess exactly what must be done to get the job they seek. Recently, Read More

Tips for Preventing Family Loyalty From Interfering With Company Success

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published April 22, 2026 | Posted in Legal Issues for Family-Owned Businesses | Tagged Tags: favoritism, transparency, Wage | Leave a comment

A successful small business can be an important component of an individual’s legacy and may also contribute substantially to their family’s finances. In many cases, owners of closely held businesses want their organization to offer opportunities to their closest loved ones. Successful family businesses frequently employ workers from multiple generations, as well as members of Read More

Addressing Business Succession Concerns When Assuming Leadership

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published April 15, 2026 | Posted in Business Succession | Tagged Tags: Contractual, plan, succession | Leave a comment

Accepting a new leadership role within an organization is a major career opportunity. The experience and title that come from that position can lead to even more lucrative opportunities in the future. Many successful organizations now specifically mandate that those in executive positions and other leadership roles engage in succession planning within a set period Read More

Important Inclusions in Business Partnership Buy-Sell Agreements

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published April 8, 2026 | Posted in Partnership Agreements | Tagged Tags: agreement, disputes, method, valuation | Leave a comment

Buy-sell agreements are essential elements when two or more parties form a legal partnership. The contract established when people intend to start and operate a business together is strongest when it includes clear instructions for what occurs at the end of that working relationship. In scenarios where partners might later sell their interest to one Read More

Creating a Joint Venture While Minimizing Financial Exposure

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published April 1, 2026 | Posted in Joint Ventures | Tagged Tags: agreement, bankruptcy, entity, legal | Leave a comment

Joint ventures are distinct in several ways from business partnerships. Establishing a joint venture involves committing to the completion of a specific project with one or more outside parties. It is typically not meant to be an indefinite arrangement as a partnership might be. Instead, it is a collaborative effort to combine resources, knowledge and Read More

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

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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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