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Businesses: Certain Non-Profits Now Have Easier Time Applying for Federal Tax Exemption

Great news for Small Non-profits – the Federal Government is making it easier, more cost-effectively and potentially quicker to gain 501(c)(3) Exemption. The IRS just came out with its IRS 1023-EZ form, you can see the instructions by going to the follow link Some of the highlights: 1. Only 501(c)3s are eligible. Continue reading “Businesses: Certain Non-Profits Now Have Easier Time Applying for Federal Tax Exemption”

Churches and Real Estate Law: Leaving a Denomination can be Expensive.

About a year ago I wrote a post about Messy Legal Issues Involving Church Property – you can see it here My article was really a comment on the unique manner in which Michigan law views real estate disputes when churches decide to leave a denomination. – in a nutshell, Michigan law looks at how the churchContinue reading “Churches and Real Estate Law: Leaving a Denomination can be Expensive.”

Businesses: Consequences To Mislabeling Independent Contractors – Court of Appeals Rules Against FedEx – Could Cost Millions.

Businesses: misclassifying your workers as independent contractors v.s employees (“IC” vs “EE”) could cost you serious money. As reported by the ABAJournal, The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, provided a victory for FedEx Truck Drivers classified, by their employer FedEx, as “independent contractors” – reversing “a finding in multidistrict litigation in Indiana and held that nearlyContinue reading “Businesses: Consequences To Mislabeling Independent Contractors – Court of Appeals Rules Against FedEx – Could Cost Millions.”

Business Owners: News Headline Illustrates the Potential Legal Consequences of Business Break-Ups

The American Bar Association Journal reported a bit of legal news today- a Defunct Law Firm was Ordered to Pay Subleases for a Manhattan Office Building, see the article here Business owners – you know why you create a business entity – a corporation, or a limited liability company – to limit your personal liability fromContinue reading “Business Owners: News Headline Illustrates the Potential Legal Consequences of Business Break-Ups”

Lessons for Business Owners from Recent DOJ Suit: Grand Rapids Landlords to Pay $550,000 and Terminate Manager’s Responsibilities

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release yesterday afternoon regarding a Settlement reached with a Grand Rapids Real Estate Owner concerning actions of its Property Manager. You can see the Press release here According to the press release, “the owners of the Alger Meadows Apartments in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have agreed toContinue reading “Lessons for Business Owners from Recent DOJ Suit: Grand Rapids Landlords to Pay $550,000 and Terminate Manager’s Responsibilities”

Don’t file a Lien Against a Judge Part II: “Paper Terrorists”

As a follow up to my last blog post about the sovereign citizens, who believe the laws don’t apply to them, I found this interesting article through the ABAJournal, see it here One of the stories cited by the article is re: Victor Cheng: “The Atta family locked up their Temecula, Calif., home andContinue reading “Don’t file a Lien Against a Judge Part II: “Paper Terrorists””

Lesson from the Department of Justice: It Doesn’t Pay to File a Lien Against a Federal Judge

I love the Department of Justice Press Releases. They always seem to be the best source for serious (and interesting) offenses committed against the Federal Government. If you ever want proof that it is not a good idea to mess with the Feds, just go to the DOJ’s website. Or you can take aContinue reading “Lesson from the Department of Justice: It Doesn’t Pay to File a Lien Against a Federal Judge”

Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s July 15, 2014 Shareholder Oppression Decision

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”

Can Lobbyists be Trusted?

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?”

Business Law Update: Proposed Michigan Bill To Limit Non-Competition Covenants.

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.”