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Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.

Words Matter. Contracts are about risk allocation. In a transaction, who bears what risk? Back in April I posted on a recent Supreme Court case – Bank of America v First American Title, et. al. If you recall, that case involved allegations of mortgage fraud perpetrated against BOA to the tune of millions of dollars. AboutContinue reading “Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.”

Lessons of Grace Found at Mel Trotter Ministries.

If you’re reading this post you may be aware that one of the “hats I wear” is Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries (“MTM”). Yesterday I was at MTM for a “Meet the Mission Luncheon” – our board and staff extend regular invitations to business/community leaders, churches, and anyone interested in learning about what we doContinue reading “Lessons of Grace Found at Mel Trotter Ministries.”

Business Law Update- Corporate records must prove someone was a Corp officer? Court: Not so much.

Check out the this unpublished Court of Appeals decision here: https://t.co/aNyuY85maL

West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship

Today I read an article by MLIVE titled “Michigan Companies could act like non-profits under proposed law” commenting on Michigan’s new Benefit Corporation Legislation – I posted about the new BCorp Legislation a week ago Something caught my attention in this article: in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand RapidsContinue reading “West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship”

Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements

Happy Friday! Today’s headline in the ABAJournal: Illinois attorney general sues Jimmy John’s over noncompete clauses for low-wage workers Yikes. A few years ago I posted on this issue According to the ABAJournal: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan claims in a lawsuit that Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurants are violating state law by requiring low-wage workersContinue reading “Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements”

B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship

A few months back I sat on a panel to discuss Non-Profit Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. You can check out the video here. I was asked to provide some comments on B Corps – or Benefit Corporations. To cover some basics – B-Corps have a dual purpose – To create profit and “create aContinue reading “B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship”

City of Lansing Settlement Agreement and a Non-Disparagement Clause with a $10k Penalty

I read an article a few days ago about the City Lansing’s Mayor, Virg Bernero and a settlement agreement he apparently negotiated that included a payout that was made, as reported by the Free Press, “so everybody would be happy.” What I found interesting was “the settlement agreement signed by Bernero and McIntyre also includes aContinue reading “City of Lansing Settlement Agreement and a Non-Disparagement Clause with a $10k Penalty”

Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!

Happy Friday! A few months back I wrote a post titled Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes. I discussed a recent case that highlighted mistakes that business startups can make – including, shutting down a business, then starting a new one just to avoid debts/creditors. Generally speaking, that doesn’t work! A May 3rd Cour of appealsContinue reading “Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!”

Michigan Corporations: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.

This morning I received an e-mail reminder from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Corporation owners are reminded that annual filing fees and statements must be filed by May 15, 2016. “Annual statements and annual reports can be filed online at http://www.michigan.gov/fileonline  LARA sent a reminder that failure to file will result inContinue reading “Michigan Corporations: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.”