Today is a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids. The photo below actually from yesterday. There is something about the sun that just puts me in a good mood. A few days ago I did not have a sunny disposition. I was in court during a landlord/tenant docket. I’ll be honest – it was a depressing scene. ManyContinue reading “More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis”
Author Archives: jeshuatlauka
Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.
Last year Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235) “to support the (SEC)’s recent adoption of rules…to facilitate small and start-up companies’ access to capital raised through crowdfunding.” The resolution supports crowdfunding as viable tools for start-up businesses. The resolution acknowledges: “Businesses in Michigan have greatly benefited from the opportunities created by the…Michigan Invests Locally ExemptionContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.”
Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression
There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. It has been almost 3 years since the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in the Madugula v Taub case on Michigan’s shareholder/member oppression statutes. The Madugula clarified that a claimantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression”
News for Residential Real Estate Investors: DOJ receives Verdict against Landlord Disability Discrimination.
Here’s a profound truth those in the real estate industry will readily acknowledge: Owning and Managing Real Estate is uniquely challenging. I hear it from my Property Owner/Manager clients. I experience it when I am involved in negotiating in landlord/tenant disputes. I believe that is why, at least in West Michigan, there is an opportunity for goodContinue reading “News for Residential Real Estate Investors: DOJ receives Verdict against Landlord Disability Discrimination.”
Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.
Falling From Grace. Yesterday, I was at a CBMC Grand Rapids Luncheon and listed to Craig DeRoche tell his remarkable story of his rise to becoming the youngest House Speaker in Michigan history and abrupt fall to incarceration due to his hidden drug and alcohol addiction. Craig now uses his skills and unique life experiencesContinue reading “Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.”
Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.
Today I am posting about a Court of Appeals case decided on April 25, 2017 – Suzor v Kamlay Foreclosed Property = high risk/high reward. Real estate investors are always wary of the many pitfalls when purchasing property at foreclosure. I’ve previously posted on problems when someone is still occupying the Property after foreclosure. The latest case talksContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.”
Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill
A common scenario in my legal practice: Investor purchases property in an LLC. Investor locates a tenant. Tenant falls behind in rent. Investor hires attorney to evict Tenant. Why hold real estate in an LLC? Most of my investor clients own investment real estate in a Limited Liability Company. This is for liability protection. Once aContinue reading “Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill”
Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Greetings on this cloudy Friday in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Business owner: I’m going to give you a scenario. Let’s say your business wants to engage the services of another business to sell its products. Q: When a business wants to engage the services of another business that will necessarily involve the business divulging confidential informationContinue reading “Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act”
Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.
Detroit Startup Week is about a month away. It is exciting to see the growth in downtown Detroit. Detroit was recently ranked the No. 4 City where Downtown is Making a Comeback. It must be an exciting time to be part of the downtown Detroit community. The city promises to be buzzing during Detroit StartupContinue reading “Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.”
Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
On March 30, 2017 House Bill 4456 was introduced. The Bill would repeal Michigan’s prohibition on Rent Control. The Bill was presumably proposed in response to the affordable housing crisis in Michigan and all across the United States. Other local governments across the U.S. are exploring legislative avenues to address the housing crisis. According toContinue reading “Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 