business – Page 11 – Purpose Driven General Counsel

West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship

Today I read an article by MLIVE titled “Michigan Companies could act like non-profits under proposed law” commenting on Michigan’s new Benefit Corporation Legislation – I posted about the new BCorp Legislation a week ago Something caught my attention in this article: in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand RapidsContinue reading “West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship”

Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements

Happy Friday! Today’s headline in the ABAJournal: Illinois attorney general sues Jimmy John’s over noncompete clauses for low-wage workers Yikes. A few years ago I posted on this issue According to the ABAJournal: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan claims in a lawsuit that Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurants are violating state law by requiring low-wage workersContinue reading “Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements”

B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship

A few months back I sat on a panel to discuss Non-Profit Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. You can check out the video here. I was asked to provide some comments on B Corps – or Benefit Corporations. To cover some basics – B-Corps have a dual purpose – To create profit and “create aContinue reading “B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship”

Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!

Happy Friday! A few months back I wrote a post titled Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes. I discussed a recent case that highlighted mistakes that business startups can make – including, shutting down a business, then starting a new one just to avoid debts/creditors. Generally speaking, that doesn’t work! A May 3rd Cour of appealsContinue reading “Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!”

Michigan Corporations: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.

This morning I received an e-mail reminder from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Corporation owners are reminded that annual filing fees and statements must be filed by May 15, 2016. “Annual statements and annual reports can be filed online at http://www.michigan.gov/fileonline  LARA sent a reminder that failure to file will result inContinue reading “Michigan Corporations: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.”

Small Business Owners: Avoid these Pitfalls

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”

“Prince Died Without a Will.” Business Owners Should Ask the Question: Who Are My Advisers?

Yesterday, the ABAJournal posted that Prince’s sister filed in court claiming Prince died without a will. A year ago I posted about some lessons from Robin Williams’ Estate. I wrote about Robin Williams’ Estate as “an example of the problems that can erupt after a loved one passes away – even if that loved oneContinue reading ““Prince Died Without a Will.” Business Owners Should Ask the Question: Who Are My Advisers?”

Proposed Bill Affects Landlords in Recovering Property Against “Squatters”

Several years ago I wrote a post about a proposed bill affecting Landlords. The Bill affected the time frame which a property owner could bring an action to recover property; most importantly, it affected the statute of limitations for a claim of “adverse possession” or “squatters rights” by a holdover tenant. Here’s the scenario:Continue reading “Proposed Bill Affects Landlords in Recovering Property Against “Squatters””

A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.

If you are reading this, you may know that I am a lawyer. I love working with entrepreneurs – a large number of my clients invest in/manage real estate. As the current Chairman of the Board of Mel Trotter Ministries, I also care very deeply about the homeless, hurting, and hungry. I was inContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.”