Happy Friday, and a conclusion to “Small Business Week”. President Barack Obama has proclaimed May 1-7, 2016 “National Small Business Week.” I follow the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, if you are a small business owner you should check the organization out. In regards to National Small Business Week, SBE Council president & CEO KarenContinue reading “Small Business Owners: Avoid these Pitfalls”
Category Archives: business law
Michigan Business Law Update on Non-Competition Agreements.
I received a question in response to a recent post on non-competition legislation. The question was: “are non-competition agreements unenforceable in Michigan?” I will give you the typical lawyer answer: “it depends“. In theory, CNCs are enforceable in Michigan. Under certain circumstances, they are not. A February 18, 2016 unpublished Michigan Court of Appeals decision is helpful to illustrate whenContinue reading “Michigan Business Law Update on Non-Competition Agreements.”
Business Litigation News: Dispute Resolution…Online?
The ABAJournal reported on “Online Dispute Resolution” (“ODR”) Is online dispute resolution the wave of the future? In the past, I’ve posted about the benefits of alternative dispute resolution for businesses. The primary benefit: litigation is expensive! According to the ABAJournal, Colin Rule, the founder of an online dispute resolution software, Modria, had this to sayContinue reading “Business Litigation News: Dispute Resolution…Online?”
Small Business, Social Entrepreneurs and Crowdfunding
Just a few days ago I posted on the Michigan House Resolution supporting Equity Crowdfunding. This morning I read an article on CrowdfundInsider on the topic of financing for small businesses. Access to Capital: What are the Options for Small Company Finance? Candace Klein Chief Strategy Officer at DealStruck was Interviewed and talked about how small businessContinue reading “Small Business, Social Entrepreneurs and Crowdfunding”
Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses
On March 3, Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235). Today HR 235 was on the agenda for the Commerce and Trade Committee Meeting. HR 235 is a “resolution to support the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent adoption of rules pursuant to Title III of the JOBS Act which are designed to facilitate small and start-upContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses”
Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes.
Happy Friday! I love reading Michigan Court of Appeals decisions. Even if it is not a significant decision related to a novel legal issue, cases usually do a good job of demonstrating pitfalls for people to watch out for. Take for instance, the Phillips v TruFit case decided on February 9th of this year. This case providesContinue reading “Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes.”
Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.
This morning I was reading a legal blog “Above the Law” – the article was written by an attorney named John Balestriere The article was titled “The Un-Sweet Spot Of Litigation“ This article provides very practical advice for my clients – small/closely-held businesses. John makes a great point – the court system is impractical for “most disputes”.Continue reading “Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.”
Business Law Update: Michigan Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements
On February 3, 2016 House Bill 5311 was introduced. If passed it would limit the enforceability of a non-competition agreement signed between an employer and an employee. Check out the text of the bill here The Bill was referred to the committee on commerce and trade. The Bill has a few key components to it: 1. Require EmployersContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements”
Current News and a”Non-Disparagement Clause”
In those rare instances where I’ve been asked to comment to reporters on a court case I was involved in, or asked to provide an opinion on matters of law, I’ve admittedly been a bit reluctant to share. Why? This latest headline from the ABAJournal may fill you in: New York appeals court says clientContinue reading “Current News and a”Non-Disparagement Clause””
Michigan LLCs – Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.
Yesterday I received an e-mail reminder from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) LLC owners are reminded that annual filing fees and statements must be filed by February 15. “Annual statements and annual reports can be filed online at http://www.michigan.gov/fileonline.” LARA sent a reminder as follows: “Also, the act provides that ifContinue reading “Michigan LLCs – Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 