Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.

Two Thanksgivings ago I took my family to New York City. 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 a block to a grocery store and get allContinue reading “Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.”

Reminder for Michigan Limited Liability Companies on Upcoming Filing Deadline. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.

Happy #ThrowbackThursday.   Some (maybe all of you) may be wondering about my choice of including this photo – it is me, years ago, dressed as Sparty for the MSUvUofM game. I thought it pertinent, given the topic of this e-mail is maintaining your business “liability shield” and as everyone knows, Sparty is the greatest warrior/mascotContinue reading “Reminder for Michigan Limited Liability Companies on Upcoming Filing Deadline. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.”

Michigan Business Law Update – Proposed Bill Aimed at Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Convicts

Yesterday I read an Article from the Business Bridge – Senate Considers Employer Incentives to hire ex-Prisoners. This article discusses Senate Bill 14 – introduced just recently. Check out the Bill Analysis here. The Bill would create the “Work Opportunity Act” which would install an “employer reimbursement program to provide grants to employers for hiring people whoContinue reading “Michigan Business Law Update – Proposed Bill Aimed at Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Convicts”

Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.

Last month, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry announced that the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) would move forward with considering applications from financial technology (fintech) companies to become special purpose national banks. Mr. Curry hadContinue reading “Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.”

Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?

Business Owners – ask yourself: When selling or buying, what are in my company’s Terms and Conditions? You can check out some of my prior posts on Terms and Conditions. “TnCs” are important to review closely. TnCs “allocate risk” among the two parties to the contract. In some instances, even if one party never reads theContinue reading “Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?”

Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.

We are heading towards the end of the year – I love the Christmas season! One thing that comes to mind for local business owners going into the New Year – make sure that your legal documents and procedures are in proper order. As every business owner should know, one of the main purposes inContinue reading “Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.”

Legislative Update and Non-Disparagement Clauses in Contracts

Today, I read an article published in the ABAJournal titled: In bid to protect online reviews, Congress OKs bill banning gag clauses in consumer contracts  According to the ABAJournal: “Congress has passed a bipartisan bill that aims to protect negative online reviews by banning nondisparagement clauses in nonnegotiable consumer contracts.” It appears that this legislationContinue reading “Legislative Update and Non-Disparagement Clauses in Contracts”

Business Legislation Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.

On November 9, 2016 House Bill 6017 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. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appears the Legislature is wrestling with the question posed byContinue reading “Business Legislation Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”

Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.

I recently read yet another court decision that provides a classic example for businesses owners of the consequences for not reviewing your contracts before signing. The case: the October 6th, 2016 Michigan Court of Appeals decision of Earl Pegues, LLC v Izis General Contractors, LLC. The dispute concerned a construction agreement. The property owner, PeguesContinue reading “Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.”

Reminder to Michigan Limited Liability Companies: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.

Occasionally I will have a business client come in and I will ask – just to make sure – “is your business still in good standing?” The common answer is “I think so.” And of course, after I perform a quick internet check with the State of Michigan it is all too common that IContinue reading “Reminder to Michigan Limited Liability Companies: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.”