May 28, 2004

Is your small NJ business lost in a jungle of regulation?

by Katherine E. Howes, Esq.

Federal law now gives small businesses rights to protect themselves in the regulatory jungle. Are exorbitant civil penalties and related attorneys fees stalking your enterprise?

Most small businesses are born in a jungle of competitors in their chosen field.  Competition makes them hone their skills and deliver better products and services to their consumers.  Unfortunately, there is also a jungle of government regulation that most often distracts a small businessperson from his or her mission. 

Most of us agree with the ends of reasonable regulation:  Workplace safety, clean air and water, among others.  However, small business is often smothered in unfair regulation, and crushed by exorbitant civil penalties and related attorneys fees.

Federal law now gives small businesses rights to protect them in the regulatory jungle.  Agencies must simplify their instructions and provide compliance guides.  Small businesses are entitled to recover attorneys’ fees if the court rules that the fine or penalty assessed by the government was excessive.  In addition, there is now an effective system for the correction of unfair government action.

Big business has entire departments to handle government relations.  Small business, by its very nature, does not.  It is up to the individual small businessperson to deal with the government.  When faced with an inquiry from a government agency, it makes sense to contact Howes & Howes to learn your rights.

This article can be found on the web at: http://www.njcases.com/41/

If you need legal help in matters similar to those described in this document, call Howes & Howes for a prompt, confidential consultation.

Howes & Howes

26 Anderson Street

Raritan, New Jersey 08869

Telephone: (908)704-0037

email: info@njcases.com