Guide To Legal Issues For Home Furnishings Industry Published

Furniture World Magazine

Home furnishings industry attorney Geoffrey Parnass has published a book entitled Legal Guide to the Home Furnishings Industry, which provides owners and managers of home furnishings companies a pragmatic reference book covering the legal issues that have a daily impact on their businesses. Parnass has his own firm in New York City, more than 20 years of experience in business law and was General Counsel for Hunter Douglas from 1994 to 2002. "My goal in writing the book was two fold," says Parnass. "First there is no other reference work like this in print, and I felt that it would be very useful to have this book as a compendium of the legal issues that owners and managers need to understand as they run their business. Second, it is designed for easy access and intended to be a tool that home furnishing professionals will want to keep close at hand so that they can refer to it as legal issues arise." Written in plain English and without any confusing legal jargon, the book is organized in sections with easily understood headings which enable industry professionals to use the book on "as needed" basis. Following a concise introductory section providing an overview of the industry as a whole, the book identifies the critical legal issues facing the industry. The book then discusses the legal concerns of the industry in the actual context of business operations. It is organized into chapters titled: "Managing Assets and Liabilities" "Growing the Business", "Nurturing Customers and Suppliers", "Dealing with Competitors", "Hiring and Retaining Employees", "Developing Incentive Compensation", "Getting Financing", "Going Public", "Selling the Company" and "Choosing the Business Entity". Each Chapter is further broken down into specific subject sections. For example "Managing Assets and Liabilities" is comprised of sub sections headed: Intellectual Property; Selling Goods; Getting Paid; Leasing Space; Machinery and Equipment; Licensing Software; and Developing Web Sites. "Too often I have seen owners and managers of home furnishings companies held back by misconceptions about how the law affects certain aspects of their business or uncertain about how to pursue an opportunity because they don't understand what the legal issues are that will affect how they proceed," says Panass. "This book is designed to free up their thinking and make it easier for them to pursue real opportunities. While there are many legal issues in the home furnishings business, with the right information, managers can avoid legal uncertainties and get on with the job of growing their revenues and increasing their profits." The book has already received favorable comments from executives in the home furnishings industry. James Mathews, Vice President Corporate Marketing for Hunter Douglas, says the book is "a 'must-have' resource for home furnishings companies of all sizes. It provides the wisdom and legal counsel of an experienced professional who knows the issues of this industry." Mitchell Falber, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of ABC Carpet and Home, says the book is "a unique resource for companies in the home furnishings industry. Its treatment of legal issues is clear and incisive. The author has a thorough understanding of the industry and its legal concerns." About the Author: Geoffrey Parnass has a long association with the home furnishings industry. From 1994 to 2002 he served as Vice President and General Counsel of Hunter Douglas Inc., the leading manufacturer of window covering products in North America. Prior to joining Hunter Douglas he was a corporate lawyer serving business clients as an associate at Fried Frank Harris and Shriver, an associate at Dewey Ballantine and as a name partner at Robinson, Parnass, Murphy & McDonald. He recently launched Parnass and Company LLP, a law firm that specializes in representing companies in the home furnishings industry. How To Get The Book: The book is available gratis upon request to industry owners, executives and managers from Parnass and Company LLP, 1065 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2 100, New York, NY 10018. To receive a copy write to the company on your letterhead or email your request, including your company affiliation, title and physical location where the book is to be sent, to: jparnass@optonline.net or call (212) 398-3471.