Perspectives

Wagner Falconer & Judd, Ltd. is pleased to mark our 80th anniversary as a law firm. To commemorate our first 80 years, here is a brief history of the firm.

Founded in 1932 by C.J. Wagner and Donald V. Bailey in the midst of the Great Depression, the firm initially went by the name Wagner & Bailey. Prominent in local business, C.J. Wagner co-founded the still-popular Murray’s Restaurant, and was also a part-owner of the Lakers basketball team, then based in Minneapolis. …

Getting paid on a construction project is tricky.  It is especially tricky when the construction project runs into financial trouble, construction difficulties, or delay. When problems arise, all sorts of players—the owner, general contractor, numerous subcontractors, lenders and potential sureties—make a grab for project funds. If you are not on top of your game, you might be left out in the proverbial cold. The money grab that ensue can be a “zero sum” game, meaning that another party might get paid at your expense.  But, don’t despair: If you follow our recommendations, you increase the likelihood of getting paid on a construction project. …

An Employee Handbook is like a cheese soufflé: Made correctly, it can be a wonderful way to showcase your culinary skills in public;   made incorrectly, an Employee Handbook can be such a mess that is better left in the kitchen, hidden from view.

Why should your company bother to create an Employment Handbook?

An Employee Handbook can be an excellent method of communication with your employees. It can address common issues such as how paid time off accrues or whether the company can open an employee’s locker without the employee’s permission. …

Let’s face it, we are all ruled by our emotions. How do you feel when someone cuts you off in traffic?  How about when someone insults you or calls you an unflattering name?  Most people have a natural reaction in such situations: They want to get even.

My point is this: People act on emotions.  When you decide to fire an employee, if you can do it in a way to minimize the emotional impact on the employee, you will reduce the likelihood of a dispute with the terminated employee. …

WFJ is proud to announce Jeff Nicolet as the firm’s newest shareholder. Jeff Nicolet’s areas of practice include Commercial Collections, Commercial Litigation, Civil Litigation, Construction, Corporate, and Criminal Defense. Jeff focuses on construction related claims. He is a frequent lecturer on topics of commercial collection, mechanic’s liens, and bond claims.

Jeff is an experienced attorney who successfully represents industrial and construction material suppliers, software and information technology companies, law firms and both small and large businesses helping them collect their receivables and enforce their contracts.

Wagner, Falconer and Judd is excited to be an event sponsor for an upcoming Ella’s Halo Bowling for Babies event on May 12^th.   Ella’s Halo is a nonprofit that was started by one of our own employees, Taryn Krumwiede.  Ella’s Halo helps families and babies who have to spend an extended stay in Twin Cities Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). This year’s Bowling for Babies will be their 3^rd annual event and will be held at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park on May 12^th from 1:00-4:00 pm.  WFJ is looking forward to being part of this family fun event with all money raised helping area NICUs.    For more information about this nonprofit or for details about how to attend Bowling for Babies, please visit www.ellashalo.com.

A new law recently passed in Wisconsin has modified the rate of interest on all civil money judgments.  Until recently, if a business or individual obtains a money judgment in Wisconsin, interest accrues on the judgment at an interest rate of 12 percent per year until the judgment is paid in full.  However, under the new law, the interest rate on a judgment is now the prime rate plus 1 percent.  The prime rate is the reported rate by the Federal Reserve Board.  The current prime rate is 3.25 percent, which means any interest on a judgment will accrue at 4.25 percent. …