Business Law Update: Recent Court Case On Sour Business Relationships and Arbitration Clauses

Good afternoon, all! The sun was beautiful this morning rising over downtown Grand Rapids.   Today I read a recent unpublished Court of Appeals decision that originated out of Kalamazoo County, Michigan – The case: Elluru v Great Lakes Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery PC   A summary of the Facts: Plaintiff Elluru and defendantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Recent Court Case On Sour Business Relationships and Arbitration Clauses”

Lessons from Court: Real Estate Investors combating the Affordable Housing Crisis

I took this photo this morning. Even when its cold outside, there is just something about the morning sun rising over Grand Rapids that gets me excited.   Wearing Multiple Hats. Life is complicated when we wear multiple hats. I’ve written about the multiple hats I wear. We all wear multiple hats. For example –Continue reading “Lessons from Court: Real Estate Investors combating the Affordable Housing Crisis”

Because We Aren’t Meant to Do Life Alone. Grand Rapids Business Mentoring Connection

On occasion, I post about how I mentor elementary school-aged boys with difficult family backgrounds. The truth is that kids with hard family backgrounds are not the only ones who need mentors. The quote in the photo from New City Initiative in Portland, Oregon is revealing in a lot of ways. Homelessness may, by and large,Continue reading “Because We Aren’t Meant to Do Life Alone. Grand Rapids Business Mentoring Connection”

Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.

  Several years ago ago I took my family to New York City. (and took the below photo). 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 aContinue reading “Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.”

Business Law Update: Concerning Current Politics and Non-Disparagement Clauses

Today I read an interesting article published by the ABAJournal. The ABAJournal article asks an interesting question (all politics aside): “If Trump sues Bannon for violating a nondisclosure agreement, what are his damages?” Again, all politics aside, the article presents interesting questions that comes up in business transactions: when faced with entering a business relationship shouldContinue reading “Business Law Update: Concerning Current Politics and Non-Disparagement Clauses”

Legal Update: Legislation that Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans Should Keep Tabs on in the New Year.

It is a beautiful and cold afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids today. We head into 2018 with some Michigan Bills that affect Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans. Veterans. The Michigan Legislature is pushing hard to protect those who have served our country. Yesterday MLive posted that the Michigan Legislature is taking up some 50 billsContinue reading “Legal Update: Legislation that Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans Should Keep Tabs on in the New Year.”

Fintech Startup “Lemonade” Latest $120 Million Round of Funding – Following Through on Its Purpose Driven Mission.

“The key to disrupting a billion-dollar industry is ‘ignorance”  check out this recent article on “Lemonade” via BusinessInsider   In the past I have posted on Fintech Companies – and highlighted a few. One of those in particular is “Lemonade” a disrupter in the urban rental and home insurance industry.  Check out an update onContinue reading “Fintech Startup “Lemonade” Latest $120 Million Round of Funding – Following Through on Its Purpose Driven Mission.”

Legal Update for Real Estate Investors: Fraud, Harassment, and a Bill to Penalize Falsely Representing Need for a Service Animal.

  A beautiful end to Tuesday. Here’s a profound truth those in the real estate industry will readily acknowledge: Owning and Managing Real Estate is uniquely challenging.   I hear it from my Property Owner/Manager clients. I experience it when I am involved in negotiating in landlord/tenant disputes. If you own or manage investment real estate, youContinue reading “Legal Update for Real Estate Investors: Fraud, Harassment, and a Bill to Penalize Falsely Representing Need for a Service Animal.”

Legal Update for Commercial and Residential Property Managers, Investors: Winter is Here. Are you Prepared?

The snow is coming down in Grand Rapids! I took this photo last week from my office – ice skating has officially started.   With the winter months – comes an issue for landlords, property managers, and real estate investors… icy sidewalks and parking lots. These types of conditions are a primary reason why investorsContinue reading “Legal Update for Commercial and Residential Property Managers, Investors: Winter is Here. Are you Prepared?”

Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program

Updated: I posted a few years back about Kent County’s Eviction Prevention Program. I just saw this article about Muskegon’s Eviction Prevention Program. Check it out. It is good news to hear that there this program is achieving some success, keeping people out of homelessness. There is definitely more work to be done… You knowContinue reading “Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program”