Last year Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235) “to support the (SEC)’s recent adoption of rules…to facilitate small and start-up companies’ access to capital raised through crowdfunding.” The resolution supports crowdfunding as viable tools for start-up businesses. The resolution acknowledges: “Businesses in Michigan have greatly benefited from the opportunities created by the…Michigan Invests Locally ExemptionContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.”
Category Archives: business law
Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression
There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. It has been almost 3 years since the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in the Madugula v Taub case on Michigan’s shareholder/member oppression statutes. The Madugula clarified that a claimantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression”
Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.
Falling From Grace. Yesterday, I was at a CBMC Grand Rapids Luncheon and listed to Craig DeRoche tell his remarkable story of his rise to becoming the youngest House Speaker in Michigan history and abrupt fall to incarceration due to his hidden drug and alcohol addiction. Craig now uses his skills and unique life experiencesContinue reading “Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.”
Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill
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. Once aContinue reading “Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill”
Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Greetings on this cloudy Friday in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Business owner: I’m going to give you a scenario. Let’s say your business wants to engage the services of another business to sell its products. Q: When a business wants to engage the services of another business that will necessarily involve the business divulging confidential informationContinue reading “Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act”
Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.
Detroit Startup Week is about a month away. It is exciting to see the growth in downtown Detroit. Detroit was recently ranked the No. 4 City where Downtown is Making a Comeback. It must be an exciting time to be part of the downtown Detroit community. The city promises to be buzzing during Detroit StartupContinue reading “Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.”
Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?
I took this photo from my office, the first day of Spring 2017. It is fitting that the ice rink in Rosa Parks’ circle is melting. With spring comes new opportunities – including employees leaving their jobs. What happens if the employee signed a non-competition agreement during the course of employment? Are non-competes enforceable? Continue reading “Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?”
Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.
Disclaimer: The photo below has nothing to do with this post. It is simply my way of recognizing that I am sick of winter and looking forward to the 15 hour drive to Florida in a few weeks… Today I read an article posted by the ABAJournal that illustrates the profound impact on word andContinue reading “Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.”
Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder Oppression.
There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. So I was excited to see a recent Court of Appeals decision on that subject. Check out the February 9, 2017 unpublished decision of Wisner v SB Indiana, LLC, et alContinue reading “Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder Oppression.”
Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.
It is a beautiful Friday afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids – which is why I took a picture of Rosa Parks Circle. You can see the zamboni is out on the rink. I can’t imagine the ice will last, since the weather is supposed to get in the upper 50s this weekend… I oftenContinue reading “Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 