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Read the blog and download podcast episodes of Shifting the Law for exclusive observations from Johnny Merritt and fellow industry leaders. Drawing on more than three decades of experience as a transactional attorney handling complex legal matters, Johnny shares insights on legal issues and strategies that support business success.
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How to Choose a Structure for Your Business—and Why You Need a Lawyer
December 19, 2025Why It’s Essential to Hire an Attorney When Choosing a Business Structure As the business landscape has evolved, so have the available entity types, giving entrepreneurs more choice than ever—while...View More
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Podcasts & Blogs
Understanding Data Licensing Agreements
November 25, 2025 Data Licensing Agreements Help Protect Texas Businesses and Customers Whether your company is licensing customer analytics, behavioral insights, or marketing lists, a data licensing agreement will play a key role...View MoreMechanic’s Lien Rights for Subcontractors Under Texas Property Code Chapter 53
October 30, 2025 Understanding Mechanic’s Lien Rights for Subcontractors in Texas: What You Can Recover Under Chapter 53 A few months ago, I was tasked with drafting a letter to an entity that...View MoreCase Study: Johnny Merritt and the Real-Life Bernie Case
August 5, 2025 Merritt Law Founder Johnny Merritt Helped Keep the Real-Life Subject of Bernie Behind Bars The 2011 film Bernie, a dark comedy directed by Richard Linklater, portrayed a strange legal case....View MoreWhen Does a Small Business Need a Lawyer?
August 1, 2025 The Best Time for a Small Business to Hire a Lawyer Is Before You Need One When starting a small business, hiring a lawyer is probably the last thing most...View MoreBenefits of an Outside General Counsel
June 3, 2025 An Outside General Counsel Can Be the Right Legal Solution for Many Growing Businesses Running a business means dealing with a wide range of challenges—and inevitably, many of those challenges...View MoreWhat Does a Corporate Lawyer Do?
May 30, 2025 Here's What an Effective Corporate Lawyer Will Do for Your Business At a certain point, every business or corporation will need legal representation. That said, we recognize that business leaders...View MoreChoosing the Right Corporate Lawyer
May 28, 2025 Consider These Factors When Choosing a Corporate Lawyer Understanding how to choose the right corporate lawyer is crucial for business owners. The right corporate attorney can become an extension of...View MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act Guide
March 3, 2025 A Full Guide to Compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act Generally The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) requires certain entities to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (“BOI Report”) with the...View MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act: A Legal Battleground in 2025
February 3, 2025 The Latest Updates on the Corporate Transparency Act Note: The Corporate Transparency Act and its legal challenges form an evolving situation that may require updates as new information emerges. The...View MoreFinding Your Purpose Through a Learning Mindset
May 3, 2022 [et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text]On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his client Bernie Calcote, President & CEO at Melde Construction. Listen as Bernie & Johnny discuss the...View MoreCheers to One Year of Shifting the Law!
April 19, 2022 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny takes the time to celebrate one full year since the creation of the Shifting the Law podcast. Throughout this journey, Johnny...View MoreLawyers with Heart: Discussing the Family Law Profession
April 5, 2022 On this week’s Shifting the Law episode, Johnny is joined by Cindi Barela Graham, an experienced family law attorney with recognition as a Texas Super lawyer. As Cindi says, family...View MoreWhy People-Driven Businesses Succeed
February 22, 2022 On this week’s episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by marketing expert Rusty Shelton. Rusty is the founder and chairman of Austin-based Zilker Media, a highly sought-after keynote...View MoreTeamwork is at the Heart of Great Achievement
January 25, 2022 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his Director of Operations, Kiera Slater and fellow Attorney, Zoe Fedde. Listen as the team discuss their journey...View MoreShifting to 2022
January 11, 2022 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny reflects on 2021's challenges and celebrations, while also sharing his vision for Merritt Law and more in 2022. Listen as he...View MoreSolving Conflict Through Stories
December 14, 2021 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with lifelong friend Byron Gossett, long-time private consultant, conflict resolution expert and author of “Expand The Frame." Listen as...View MoreWalking the Tightrope: How to Best Partner with CEOs
November 23, 2021 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with Joel Trammell, CEO expert, leadership coach, serial entrepreneur and author of The CEO Tightrope. Listen as the pair...View MoreOptimizing Business Operations for Success
November 9, 2021 On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny meets with Marcos Cordova, seasoned operations expert, entrepreneur, project manager and now Claims Associate for Billd. The two discuss the importance...View MoreBusting Through the Concrete Wall
October 26, 2021 On this week’s episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with Charlene Wheeless, renowned communications pro, author, speaker, and equity champion to discuss navigating the workforce as a woman...View MoreThe Book of Walt: The Intersectionality of Law and Religion
October 5, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by fellow attorney, local-Austinite and author of The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living, Walt Shelton. Walt...View MoreNavigating Job Loss: Hunker Down to Get to the Hoorah!
September 21, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his good friend Brenda McDearmon, author of “The Big Hunker Down: 7 Take-Cover Strategies to Weather the Storm of...View MoreAn Exciting Announcement
September 8, 2021 On this week's special episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny shares an important update and decision that has been years in the making. Tune in to hear more about this...View MoreExecutive Coaching and Leadership Development with Sky-High Results
August 17, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Sky Streety, a successful entrepreneur, executive leadership coach, and author of “You’re Not Just Another Face in the Crowd:...View MoreBankruptcy Law with a Dose of Compassion
August 3, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend and colleague Ron Satija, a bankruptcy attorney and U.S. Department of Justice appointed bankruptcy trustee. The two...View MoreInfallible Positivity and Intellectual Property
July 20, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend Bobby Braxton, an intellectual property attorney and partner at BRAXTON PERRONE, PLLC. Bobby discusses his passion for...View MoreThe Importance of Outlining Principles for Effective Leadership
July 7, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Dennis Broughton, a chemical engineer with over 40 years of combined experience working for DuPont and Charles Koch, and...View MoreA Very Special Father’s Day Edition of Shifting the Law
June 22, 2021 On this very special Father’s Day edition of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his son, John David Merritt, who is finishing his third year of law school at...View MoreHow to Serve Your Clients With Passion, Honesty, and Integrity
June 8, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his long-time friend and top-notch employment attorney, Janice Parker. The two discuss what fuels her passion for employment law,...View MoreThe Business of Healthcare
May 25, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by David Clark, a former healthcare executive and current instructor of accounting and healthcare management at West Texas A&M University....View MoreThe Power of Storytelling in Leadership
May 11, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend and mentor of over 40 years, Kent Hance. Kent is a former United States Congressman and served...View MoreHow to Better Serve Your Clients, Team Members, and Community
April 27, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Mark Few, Senior Vice President at First State Bank of Burnet. They discuss the strengths of doing business with...View MoreThe Value of Innovating Your Business Model
April 13, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Clint Greenleaf, a well-versed entrepreneur, founder of over five organizations, and author of multiple published books. They discuss the...View MoreNavigating Leadership: How to Build Your Foundation and Maintain Success
March 30, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Ginger Nelson, Mayor of Amarillo, Texas, and practicing lawyer for over 20 years. They discuss the foundations of leadership,...View MoreEvolving Your Business During Uncertain Times
March 16, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny Merritt is joined by Parker Carroll, CEO of TREK Investment Group. Tune in for their conversation about how business leaders can keep...View MoreLeadership Lessons From Successful Family Businesses
March 2, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Judd Porter. Judd is the owner and CEO of Porter’s, a Texas-based, family-owned company that has been serving communities...View MoreWhat Leaders Can Learn From Attorneys About Assessing Risk & Building Trust
February 17, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Austin-based entrepreneur and business leader, Ben Broughton. They talk lawyer compensation, what to look for in a great attorney,...View MoreShifting the Law Starts with Building Better Relationships
February 4, 2021 On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny Merritt is joined by Four Price. Four is a long-time attorney and current member of the Texas House of Representatives. Tune in...View MoreIntroduction to Shifting the Law
February 3, 2021 [et_pb_section admin_label="section"] [et_pb_row admin_label="row"] [et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"]Shifting the Law is a podcast hosted by Johnny Merritt with discussions about innovative attorney-client partnerships and how industry leaders can work towards shifting...View MoreSIGN UP
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