Author Archives: jeshuatlauka

Happy Monday!   On July 15th the Michigan Supreme Court came out with its much anticipated (at least in the legal community) decision in Madugula v Taub, dealing with the Michigan shareholder oppression statute.   This decision was much needed to clarify some vague areas in the statute, including:   Is a shareholder entitled toContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s July 15, 2014 Shareholder Oppression Decision”

As a lawyer, I am always interested in legislation – what new laws are enacted, and what laws are being proposed.  Just check out my last blog post about a new proposed bill affecting business   Lobbyists certainly play a role in legislation. But what do they do?   In a nut shell, lobbyists areContinue reading “Can Lobbyists be Trusted?”

  A Michigan Bill proposes amending the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act to narrow the scope of when covenants not-to-compete are enforceable in Michigan. You can look at the June 12th proposed amendment, here   The Narrowing of  the Covenants Not-t0-Compete (CNC) will do as follows: 1. Make CNC unenforceable if the employee is terminated (CNC wouldContinue reading “Business Law Update: Proposed Michigan Bill To Limit Non-Competition Covenants.”

I just read an interesting article on the ABAJournal about the co-founder of “Buckyballs”   Evidently this product has caused serious harm to children and not only has the product been recalled, but personal liability has been assessed to a co-founder.   That is a big deal!   The ABA Journal reports the story here:  Continue reading “Dreaded Words for Business Owners: “Personally Liable”.”

Court cases and local headlines have a way of grabbing our attention – they also provide useful lessons. I had a builder client come to me recently about concerns with their construction contract. The owner that my builder was beginning a job for had a question about the indemnity provision in the contract (which IContinue reading “Great Lessons for Real Estate Professionals From Unfortunate Local Construction News and Recent Case Law”

“You will be hearing from my Lawyer!”   Many a lawsuit begins with those parting words.   I will occasionally get a call from a business client who is a little fired up (if you’re reading this and you are a business client of mine, I’m definitely not talking about you :)). Maybe he or sheContinue reading “Michigan Businesses: Before Jumping Into a Lawsuit Consider Kesler Assoc. Inc v Wellman Plastics Recycling, LLC”

Contractor Sentenced Today to Imprisonment Today the Department of Justice reported  that Roderic J. Smith, a subcontractor for the federal government, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for bribing a public official. See the press release here. According to the press release: Smith was the co-founder and president of a contracting company located inContinue reading “Contractors, Lawsuits, and Incarceration – Lessons from Local and National Headlines.”

2015 will be less burdensome on Real Estate Brokers and Agents from a Continual Education reporting standpoint. Real Estate Rama Reports the  significant changes that will affect RE Brokers and Agents. Beginning January 1, 2015, continuing education courses will no longer require preapproval by LARA and schools will not be required to report the hours asContinue reading “Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: New Law Will Ease CE Preapproval and Reporting Requirements Effective January 1, 2015”

  The Department of Justice issued a press release today regarding a billion dollar settlement it reached with Sun Trust, you can see that press release here.   This, and other settlements entered into as a result of DOJ litigation against financial giants should, at a minimum, serve as a good reminder of why real estateContinue reading “RE Professionals take heed: Fed Govt’s Billion Dollar Settlement with Sun Trust Related to Mortgage Loan Abuse”