Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.

It is a beautiful Friday afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids – which is why I took a picture of Rosa Parks Circle. You can see the zamboni is out on the rink. I can’t imagine the ice will last, since the weather is supposed to get in the upper 50s this weekend…   I oftenContinue reading “Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.”

Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.

Two Thanksgivings ago I took my family to New York City. Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City. We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down a block to a grocery store and get allContinue reading “Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.”

Reminder for Michigan Limited Liability Companies on Upcoming Filing Deadline. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.

Happy #ThrowbackThursday.   Some (maybe all of you) may be wondering about my choice of including this photo – it is me, years ago, dressed as Sparty for the MSUvUofM game. I thought it pertinent, given the topic of this e-mail is maintaining your business “liability shield” and as everyone knows, Sparty is the greatest warrior/mascotContinue reading “Reminder for Michigan Limited Liability Companies on Upcoming Filing Deadline. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.”

Michigan Business Law Update – Proposed Bill Aimed at Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Convicts

Yesterday I read an Article from the Business Bridge – Senate Considers Employer Incentives to hire ex-Prisoners. This article discusses Senate Bill 14 – introduced just recently. Check out the Bill Analysis here. The Bill would create the “Work Opportunity Act” which would install an “employer reimbursement program to provide grants to employers for hiring people whoContinue reading “Michigan Business Law Update – Proposed Bill Aimed at Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Convicts”

Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.

Last month, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry announced that the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) would move forward with considering applications from financial technology (fintech) companies to become special purpose national banks. Mr. Curry hadContinue reading “Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.”

A “Fierce Urgency.”​ Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” –Continue reading “A “Fierce Urgency.”​ Reflections on Community Development/Affordable Housing.”

Business Law Update: Key Terms to Consider in Business Contracts.

If you’ve followed my posts for any amount of time, you probably aren’t surprised that I  like reading and writing about the latest Michigan court cases. Particularly if they are relevant to business or real estate. I always find there are some lessons to be learned. As another aside – I also like to includeContinue reading “Business Law Update: Key Terms to Consider in Business Contracts.”

Real Estate Law Update: Recently Enacted Michigan Legislation Abolishes Dower Right.

  A few days ago Governor Snyder signed into law 21 Bills, including Senate Bills 588 and 560 that abolish a surviving wife’s dower right. The measures are now Public Acts 489 and 490 of 2016. This is good news since dower right is a relic of the past, sometimes referred to as an “inchoateContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Recently Enacted Michigan Legislation Abolishes Dower Right.”

A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.

It is the end of 2016. I am having “big picture” thoughts as the year ends. I have a pretty nice “big picture” view out of my office window. Out of my office window from the 12th floor of 99 Monroe overlooks many ice skaters at Rosa Parks’ Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. It isContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.”

Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?

Business Owners – ask yourself: When selling or buying, what are in my company’s Terms and Conditions? You can check out some of my prior posts on Terms and Conditions. “TnCs” are important to review closely. TnCs “allocate risk” among the two parties to the contract. In some instances, even if one party never reads theContinue reading “Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?”