Welcome back to our Local Series! This week, we're tackling a crucial aspect of business growth: hiring. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Baton Rouge attorney Johanna Landreneau!

With over 30 years of legal experience spanning complex civil litigation, including employment law, Johanna now dedicates her expertise to advising businesses on HR compliance, consulting, business formation, branding, and risk management. Fun fact: Johanna handled the trademark registration for Sweet Baton Rouge® way back when, and also played a significant role in my family's adoption journey.

In this essential episode for business owners, Johanna shares her invaluable insights on how to hire like a boss while navigating the legal landscape. We'll break down:

The critical differences between hiring employees vs. independent contractors (1099s).
When you absolutely need contracts (spoiler alert: even for contractors!).
The role and importance of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in protecting your business.
Practical and straightforward ways to legally protect your business when building your team, without getting bogged down in unnecessary legal jargon.

Whether you're about to make your first hire or are looking to ensure your current hiring practices are legally sound, Johanna's clear and actionable advice will empower you to build your team with confidence and avoid potential legal pitfalls.

Tune in for a must-listen conversation that will equip you with the legal know-how to hire smart and protect your business!

Follow Johanna Landreneau @johanna_landreneau_ & @landreneau_lawyers or visit her website lalawbr.com.

Connect with Meredith:

I am a mom to three, big maw maw to seven. I've been married for 18+ years, counting the days down to the BIG 20 so we can open up a great bottle of wine.

My husband and I also own a wine bar in our town we live in, called Library Wine & Provisions.

I am the founder of Sweet Baton Rouge®, a local Louisiana business I created from scratch with no marketing plan, just a little grit and lots of geaux! This business will hit 15 years in October and by far has been my most professional career doing what I love, marketing. I have built systems and habits to stay consistent and vision focused on our goals at hand. In 2024 I started a second business, Petey’s Press, to bring all of our production in-house to screen print as our business has always been centered around locally designed & printed t-shirts.