New State Laws in 2013 Can Lead to New Business

Alright, so you celebrated your success in 2012 with champagne. But this is no time to rest on your laurels. New state laws in 2013 bring plenty of opportunities to expand your practice. After all, who can't use a few more clients?

Across the country, about 400 new state laws became effective as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Day, reports Reuters.

So depending upon where you live, there may be exciting opportunities for you to check out a few new practice areas. Here's a look at five new laws that could prove to be a boon to you:

1. Employee privacy. Employers in several states including California and Illinois are now prohibited from asking workers and prospective employees for social media passwords. Employers who ignore (or are unaware) of these new laws may be targets for potential lawsuits.


2. Employee pay. Ten states increased their minimum wage levels for 2013. So that means millions of workers automatically received a raise as they rang in the new year. Did all the workers in your jurisdiction get the pay bump they deserved?


3. Shark fins. Illinois joined the ever-growing list of states that ban sales of shark fins, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Shark fin soup remains a delicacy for some Chinese Americans, but restaurants selling this "delicacy" are violating the law.


4. Rights of the unemployed. In Oregon, employers can no longer require job applicants to be currently employed. Under the old law, employers could make the strange request of having only employed persons look for employment. Unemployed persons who still face this form of discrimination may need an attorney to represent their rights.


5. Defend California drivers. So texting while driving may be legal in the Golden State after all? Yes, so long as you text hands-free via voice-recognition software, according to NBC News. Self-driving cars are now legal too.

Take a look at the new laws in your jurisdiction and explore new ways to expand your current practice.

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Related Resources:

• State and local governments ring in 2013 with mix of innovative and odd new laws (New York Daily News)
• A Year-End To-Do List for Small Firms, Solos (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Time Management Tips: How to Get More Out of Every Hour (FindLaw's Strategist)