Author Archives: jeshuatlauka

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”

  Even in small businesses, understanding who is responsible for making business decisions in an organization is an important piece of an effective business. Sometimes the distinction between roles/powers can be blurred. Corporations: The board, not the owners, make the decisions. In corporations, there is a distinction between ownership (shareholders) and management (directors). Under theContinue reading “Business Owners: Understand the Legal Role of your Board of Directors/Managers.”

Happy Friday, all!   I am a frequent guest blogger with  Grand Rapids Area Professionals For Excellence. I typically write about business law issues affecting entrepreneurs and small/closely held businesses in Michigan.   Yesterday I wrote an article about Crowdfunding – particularly Michigan’s new law exempting crowdfunding from securities registration in Michigan.   This could beContinue reading “Good News for Michigan Start-Up Businesses: Michigan’s New Crowdfunding Law”

    Just a click of the mouse, answer a few questions and BAM! You are your own lawyer.   The ABAJournal reported today about a new hurdle for LegalZoom – you can see that article here.     As reported in the article, “LegalZoom offers online, self-help legal documents in all 50 states andContinue reading “New Legal Challenge for Legal Zoom?”

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency  reported yesterday that the financial condition of community national banks and federal savings associations  in its nine-state Central District improved in 2013 as banks focused on strengthening risk management systems to help boost their performance.   You can see the OCC’s report here   OCC Director commentedContinue reading “Michigan Banks: Encouraging Report Out of The Office of Comptroller of the Currency”