Monthly Archives: July 2013

I recently posted an article regarding employee handbooks and how they benefit businesses – primarily by avoiding liability and claims from former employees. I authored a guest blog article for Grand Rapids Area Professionals For Excellence. Learn more about GRAPE here at: http://grapegr.com/ Issues have arisen as of late regarding marijuana usage of employees and theContinue reading “Guest Blog Post with GRAPE – Are Business Owners & HR Professionals Affected By The Medical Marijuana Issue?”

  An interesting unpublished decision came out on June 27, 2013 –  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. First Michigan Bank, 309857, 2013 WL 3239983 (Mich. Ct. App. June 27, 2013). The case essentially involved a fight over whose mortgage had priority: Chase or First Michigan Bank. FACTS: JP Morgan Chase Bank and First Michigan Bank hadContinue reading “Lesson For Banks: When Fighting over Mortgage Priority – Don’t Forget about the Property Owner.”

Another example demonstrating the significance of the words you agree to bind your business relationship.   On July 3rd the Michigan Supreme Court came out with an (I think) interesting Order reversing an appellate Court decision, Levine v. O’Dorisio, 299639, 2011 WL 5609825 (Mich. Ct. App. Nov. 17, 2011) rev’d, 494 Mich. 874 (2013).   FACTS:Continue reading “Closely Held Businesses: Why the Words You Use in Your Formation Documents Matter.”

Recently I was in court for a hearing  representing a business client being sued by a former employee.  In that case, the former employee claimed it had a guaranteed contract for employment for a specific term.  This provided an opportunity for me to highlight some brief, but key aspects of Michigan law and the importanceContinue reading “Lesson from Court: Why an Employee Handbook Matters.”