Is the DOJ Showing Its Hand?

    Clay Brewer is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton PLLC. His practice area focuses primarily on serving young, direct selling companies. He assists Kevin Thompson in providing exceptional legal support for companies ranging from early-stage startups to well-established entities.

    The FTC is at it again in its enforcement against direct sales, but this time the Department of Justice (DOJ) stepped in on behalf of the United States to receive a “permanent injunction, civil penalties, and other relief” against 3 doTerra International distributors who publicly marketed the idea that certain doTerra essential oil products would […]

    The Gospel That Isn’t, An Attorney’s Initial Thoughts

      Clay Brewer is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton PLLC. His practice area focuses primarily on serving young, direct selling companies. He assists Kevin Thompson in providing exceptional legal support for companies ranging from early-stage startups to well-established entities.

      “The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in the insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” – Justice Louis Brandeis, dissenting in Olmstead v. United States (1928) When I say the gospel that isn’t, I am referring to the idea that continues to become ever more commonplace in the national discussion. The idea […]

      The Way Out Is In

        Clay Brewer is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton PLLC. His practice area focuses primarily on serving young, direct selling companies. He assists Kevin Thompson in providing exceptional legal support for companies ranging from early-stage startups to well-established entities.

        The nature of this industry is complex. When I entered this field, I knew very little about the people who operated within it, the laws and regulations that encompassed it, or frankly what exactly it meant to fall under the descriptive phrase of “direct sales,” network marketing,” “multi-level marketing,” etc. Those on the outside may […]

        You Can Be Right, or You Can Be Happy

          Kevin Thompson is an MLM attorney, proud husband, father of four and a founding member of Thompson Burton PLLC. Named as one of the top 25 most influential people in direct sales, Kevin Thompson has extensive experience to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses on secure legal footing. Recently featured on Bloomberg TV and several national publications, Thompson is a thought-leader in the industry.

          If you’re married, you’ve undoubtedly heard the sage, old advice: “You can be right, or you can be happy.” The premise is simple: when in a disagreement with your spouse, it’s probably best not to argue EVEN IF you have him/her dead to rights. If you have concrete proof that dispels your spouse of all […]

          FTC Sharpening Its Regulatory Knives And Preparing For Battle, Puts For-Profit Universities On Notice

            Clay Brewer is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton PLLC. His practice area focuses primarily on serving young, direct selling companies. He assists Kevin Thompson in providing exceptional legal support for companies ranging from early-stage startups to well-established entities.

            The nature of the network marketing industry has evolved over the last several decades with new and innovative business models, yet the regulatory landscape has remained quite stagnant and vague. We are all aware of the landmark cases of Koscot and BurnLonge, FTC v. BurnLounge Case Summary, along with company specific settlements such as Vemma, […]

            Multi-Level Marketing: Life After AMG Capital and the Hope for a Better Future Part 2

              Clay Brewer is an associate attorney at Thompson Burton PLLC. His practice area focuses primarily on serving young, direct selling companies. He assists Kevin Thompson in providing exceptional legal support for companies ranging from early-stage startups to well-established entities.

              In Part 1, we presented our belief that there is soon to be a shifting tide of regulatory attitude from empowering the consumer to now empowering the government. Such empowerment has morphed into the idea that consumers are now unable to protect themselves due to the constant barrage of information, e.g., misleading/deceptive income claims, no […]