Ruder Ware

In today's complex business world, legal issues affect almost every business decision. Ruder Ware is a reliable single source of valuable legal expertise that helps business owners, managers, and individuals maximize and protect their corporate and personal financial assets.

With over 40 attorneys and 100 years of experience in serving business owners and individuals, Ruder Ware has established itself as one of Wisconsin's largest and most successful law firms. Through our offices in Wausau, Eau Claire, and Green Bay we guide our clients through intricate legal issues around the world.

At Ruder Ware, we work diligently to earn your trust by providing sound, responsible counsel to proactively manage and minimize legal matters so you can focus on your profit goals.

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Latest from Ruder Ware

Presenters:
Amy E. Ebeling, Mykayla A. Dado, Eric R. Johnson
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Ruder Ware and the Dairy Business Association are partnering to provide a series of informational events across the state. Non-DBA members are welcome to participate. There is no charge to attend, lunch will be provided. To register visit: Farmer to Farmer Legal Series – Dairy Business Association.
Topics covered:
The Time is Right for a Succession PlanPresenters:  Attorneys Mykayla Dado
Continue Reading Farmer to Farmer Legal Series

Federal laws place employers in a challenging position, requiring them to navigate between compliance with laws designed to prevent the employment of persons not eligible to work in the United States and laws punishing discrimination and document abuse. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and potentially even criminal prosecution. While all employers would benefit from consulting a knowledgeable attorney to establish proper employment verification procedures and resolve uncertainties, even seasoned HR professionals acquainted with current best practices should consider
Continue Reading Navigating Employment Verification Challenges: When to Seek Tailored Legal Advice

By January 9, 2024

As people begin to think about passing on their assets to the next generation, some consider gifting to their children during their life, rather than passing their assets by inheritance at their death.  Possible motivations for this type of transfer include transferring ownership of a business to a child or the protection of assets in the event nursing home care is needed.  However, the potential advantages of lifetime gifting should be weighed
Continue Reading Gifting, Inheritance, and Capital Gains Tax: When Should I Give My Kids Their Inheritance?

By December 28, 2023

There is a lot of confusion about estate planning. This is understandable. Most people don’t deal with these issues on a regular basis, and planning for what happens when we die or become incapacitated isn’t something most of us like to think or talk about.
Common misconceptions about estate planning include:
1. Having a will avoids probate. Probate is a court-supervised proceeding to administer someone’s estate when they die. A probate proceeding
Continue Reading Common Misconceptions About Estate Planning

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.  The most notable change is the slight per mile increase for businesses.

Effective January 1, 2024, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

  • 67 cents per mile driven for business use.  This is a slight increase from the rate

  • Continue Reading IRS Releases Mileage Rates for 2024

    The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November issue of the Capitol Connection.

    Inside this issue

    Legislature Stands Adjourned Until Mid-January

    On Tuesday, both the Assembly and Senate concluded the legislature’s business until after the holidays. Three major proposals will now move on to Governor Evers’ desk for a signature or veto.

    TOP THREE ISSUES OF INTEREST

    1. American Family Field

    The Senate amended
    Continue Reading Capitol Connection, November 2023

    Sarah experienced a deteriorating family dynamic first-hand after her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was inspired to become an estate planning attorney because she wanted to equip families with solutions so they wouldn’t have to live through the same experiences her family had.The post Welcome Attorney Sarah Reed first appeared on Wisconsin Business Attorneys.
    Continue Reading Welcome Attorney Sarah Reed

    On November 1, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits.  Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year.
     

    Qualified Plan Limit
    Cost-of-Living Adjustments

    401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit

    2023 – $22,500

    2024 – $23,000

    $200,000 compensation limit

    2023 – $330,000

    2024 – $345,000

    $160,000 defined benefit limit

    2023 – $265,000

    2024 – $275,000

    $40,000 defined contribution limit

    2023 – $66,000

    2024 – $69,000

    $80,000 definition
    Continue Reading 2024 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2024 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

    By October 23, 2023

    When your days are consumed with running a business, it can be hard to look ahead towards tomorrow’s to-do list, much less towards a to-do list for something far in the future, like estate planning. If you’ve pushed off putting in writing what will happen to your business once you’re gone, it’s time to tackle that to-do list. Here are four items to consider when doing so:
    1. The Importance of Having
    Continue Reading Estate Planning Considerations for Business Owners

    By October 23, 2023

    As a collection and banking attorney, I am often asked whether (or when) I think collections will restart now that we are somewhat “beyond” COVID-19, although not fully. In my own practice I have seen an increase in demand letters to businesses and consumers for past due accounts or debts. Banks and businesses need to start collecting past due accounts and my sense is a slew of consumer and commercial collections are
    Continue Reading Collections in a Post-COVID-19 World

    October 18, 2023
    In this issue:

    WELCOME TO THE RUDER WARE CAPITOL CONNECTION

    The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison.

    As such, our public affairs team monitors state government activities to identify legislative proposals and executive regulations that may be of interest to the firm’s clients.

    To find out more about a specific legislative proposal or how Ruder Ware can create a custom monitoring plan to fit
    Continue Reading Capitol Connection, October 2023

    Location: Hilton Garden Inn151401 Cty Rd NN, Wausau, Wisconsin

    Presenters:
    Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill, Nicole L. Stangl
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    Presentation

    Ruder Ware’s Annual Employment & Benefits Law Conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn (map and directions) on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
    7:30 a.m.    Registration
    8:00 a.m.   Welcome & Introductions
    8:15 – 9:00 a.m.Anatomy of the Deal:  Handling Due Diligence Like a ProPresenter:  Attorney Mary Ellen Schill
    Due diligence. Data rooms. Human resources and
    Continue Reading Annual Employment & Benefits Conference 2023

    In today’s interconnected world, how to protect vital business assets such as key employees and confidential information is top of mind for businesses. Tools such as non-solicitation, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements are utilized as a method of protection for businesses. However, the changing legal landscape related to non-compete provisions has made it essential to be diligent about what tools you use and how you use them to properly protect your business.

    What is a Non-Compete Provision?

    Non-compete provisions are
    Continue Reading Evaluate the Risks When Using Non-Competes

    September 15, 2023
    In this issue:

    WELCOME TO THE RUDER WARE CAPITOL SNAPSHOT

    The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to Ruder Ware’s Capitol Connection. Director of Public Affairs John Jacobson will provide nonpartisan news and analysis from Madison regarding workforce development, changes in tax and regulation, and other general topics that may impact you or your business.

    NOTE FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR JOHN JACOBSON

    After
    Continue Reading Capitol Connection: September 2023 Issue

    The New Form:

    On July 21, 2023 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new Form I-9. The new Form I-9 became available for employers to use on August 1, 2023. The old Form I-9 can continue to be used through October 31, 2023, but all employers must be using the new Form I-9 by November 1, 2023.

    A copy of the new Form I-9 can be found here.

    Notably, some of the changes include:

    • Making


    Continue Reading Changes to I-9 Forms – Make Sure You Are In Compliance