Author Archive

Donald W. Hudspeth

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What Happens During a Shareholder Freeze-Out?

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published June 17, 2026 | Posted in Corporate Litigation | Tagged Tags: Buyout, freeze-out, Shareholder | Leave a comment

A shareholder freeze-out (sometimes called a squeeze-out) occurs when majority shareholders or individuals within corporate leadership try to pressure minority shareholders into selling their ownership interests, often at unfairly low values. Freeze-outs frequently involve tactics designed to reduce the minority shareholder’s influence, financial benefits or participation in company operations. In some situations, these actions may Read More

What Causes Partnership Disputes?

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published June 10, 2026 | Posted in Partnership Disputes | Tagged Tags: agreement, disputes, partnership | Leave a comment

Many partnership disputes arise because expectations change after the business is already operating. One partner may feel they are carrying an unfair share of the workload, contributing more financially or taking on greater responsibility than originally anticipated. In other situations, the conflict may involve conduct that directly violates the partnership agreement or breaches of the Read More

Resolving Contract Disputes Over Unclear Terms Through Litigation

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published June 3, 2026 | Posted in Contract Litigation | Tagged Tags: business, contract, disputes | Leave a comment

Resolving contract disputes often becomes difficult when the agreement in question contains vague or unclear language. One party may believe a breach of contract occurred, while the other insists they fulfilled their obligations. In these situations, litigation might be necessary to determine how the contract should be interpreted and whether the parties complied with its Read More

How Trademark Registration Protects Against Unfair Competition

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published May 27, 2026 | Posted in Trademarks and Unfair Competition | Tagged Tags: competition, infringement, trademark | Leave a comment

When another company uses a confusingly similar logo, product design or brand identity to mislead consumers, the resulting harm can extend far beyond lost sales. Trademark infringement can damage a company’s reputation, dilute consumer trust and create costly confusion in the marketplace. Federal trademark protections give businesses legal remedies to stop deceptive practices. The United Read More

Fired Police Officer’s Lawsuit to Determine if At-Will Employment Agreement Applies

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published May 20, 2026 | Posted in Contract Law | Tagged Tags: contracts, employment agreements, pobr | Leave a comment

While contracts are generally enforceable as written, there can be situations where terms within employment agreements are held to be invalid for public policy reasons. This issue sometimes comes up in relation to noncompete agreements that limit where a person can work after they leave their employer. There can also be other types of situations Read More

The Steps Required to Obtain Trademark Protection

By Donald W. Hudspeth | Published May 13, 2026 | Posted in trade secrets | Tagged Tags: registration, trademarks, uspto | Leave a comment

A trademark is a visual and conceptual part of a company’s branding. When a trademark is properly registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a company has the legal ability to prevent others from using that or similar marks in ways that could confuse consumers or dilute the company’s brand. Trademark registration Read More

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

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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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