It is a rainy Monday afternoon. It has been dark all day long. I took this picture earlier today and the rain isn’t letting up. As a way to distract from the gloomy weather I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some of my thoughts about a court case that came out aContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Real Estate Investors Be Careful When Interacting with Occupants of Foreclosed Property.”
Category Archives: business law
OCC’s Remarks on Fintech Charter – “A Work in Progress”
It is already, Thursday. It has been a hectic week so far, so I thought I would include a photo I took of more peaceful and serene moments – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Beautiful… Back to the issue at hand, Today, Keith A. Noreika, Acting Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks concerning Fintech Companies at GeorgetownContinue reading “OCC’s Remarks on Fintech Charter – “A Work in Progress””
Business Law Update for LLCs: The Words You Use In Your Operating Agreement Matter.
Good morning, all! Yesterday was a beautiful day, see the photo I took overlooking downtown Grand Rapids. The leaves are already changing color. Today I read a Court of Appeals Case that came out yesterday that provides a good example for business owners. Background – Today LLCs are generally the entity of choice. Most businessesContinue reading “Business Law Update for LLCs: The Words You Use In Your Operating Agreement Matter.”
Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation
UPDATE ON PROPOSED House Bill 4463 – Would Allow LLCs to Evict wi thout Legal Representation. House Bill 4463 was introduced in March and referred to the committee on law and justice. The Bill would allow owners of a single-member LLC (or a married couple under certain conditions) to file their own eviction actionsContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”
Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.
It is Artprize again in downtown Grand Rapids! See one of the exhibits on Monroe Avenue in front of the Venue. Question: Did you know: “Shall” has a different meaning then “May”? One is mandatory. The other is permissive. In business, it pays to be clear in the contract language you use. Check outContinue reading “Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.”
Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.
Yesterday I read a story about a Detroiter, Raphael Wright who plans on opening a “mission-driven supermarket” in downtown Detroit. Check out the article on NextCity. Raphael’s idea is sparked by a much needed grocery option in Detroit- particularly for low-income residents. I love this idea. A few years back I took my family toContinue reading “Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.”
Business Law Update: Court Lessons on Personal Guarantees.
In the world of lending if a business wants to secure financing, you will be hard-pressed to find a bank that is not going to require some collateral, including a personal guarantee of the debt by the principal owner(s) of the business. businesses don’t want to sign personal guarantees; it’s why businesses take on theContinue reading “Business Law Update: Court Lessons on Personal Guarantees.”
Business Law Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.
This morning was rainy and gray in Grand Rapids. It is one of those days that prompted me to write on a topic that can be downright depressing – when relationships between shareholders go bad. I had a client come in recently and ask me to set up an LLC for him. Client planned onContinue reading “Business Law Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.”
Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation
A common scenario in my legal practice: Investor purchases property in an LLC. Investor locates a tenant. Tenant falls behind in rent. Investor hires attorney to evict Tenant. Why hold real estate in an LLC? Most of my investor clients own investment real estate in a Limited Liability Company. This is for liability protection. OnceContinue reading “Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”
Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.
On June 14, 2017, House Bill 4755 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. If passed it would limit the enforceability of a non-competition agreement signed between an employer and an employee. In my opinion – in some pretty significant ways. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appearsContinue reading “Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”