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 Law Update: Patent Trolls, Aggressive Solicitation, and a Real Estate dispute

Happy Friday! A few brief legal updates on proposed Bills and a Court decision. Patent Trolls! Back in July I wrote a post about legislation that was introduced in the House : A Tool for Business in Fighting Against Patent Trolls That House Bill has sat for about 8 months. The House Judiciary Committee is meetingContinue reading “Michigan Law Update: Patent Trolls, Aggressive Solicitation, and a Real Estate dispute”

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.”

Business Contracts and Lawsuits: Isn’t it All a Matter of Interpretation?

Happy Friday! A few weeks back I posted about a trial that I had involving a dispute over the interpretation of a real estate contract. Back in December I posted about commercial leases and how courts will enforce the plain meaning of an “unambiguous” contract. These posts encourage “clear drafting” of business contracts. Ambiguous contractsContinue reading “Business Contracts and Lawsuits: Isn’t it All a Matter of Interpretation?”

Lessons From Trial: Business Owners – Don’t Be so Quick to File a Lawsuit.

Happy Friday, all! It’s been a while since my last post. My month of October was swallowed up alive by a jury trial spanning 11 days over a 3 week period. So, forgive me, but I am going to go off on a rant about businesses litigation. Because it is what is on my mind at theContinue reading “Lessons From Trial: Business Owners – Don’t Be so Quick to File a Lawsuit.”

Michigan Entrepreneurs: News and Info on Raising Capital and Crowdfunding

Good morning and Happy Monday! Entrepreneurs may want to take advantage of some free guidance provided by the State of Michigan. The State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) announced today that it is hosting a workshop – “Understanding Your Options for Raising Capital in Michigan”. You can Register here  The seminarContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs: News and Info on Raising Capital and Crowdfunding”

Recent Crowdfunding Success a Good Sign for Social Entrepreneurs

Last week MIBiz reported a somewhat surprising result of the MEDC’s grant-matching initiative (Public Places Community Spaces Initiative).  I  wrote about this initiative in a prior post. The MIBiz article headline: “State-backed crowdfunding initiative hits 97% success rate in first year” This is an amazing success rate by any calculation As stated by Ebrahim Varachia, president and co-founderContinue reading “Recent Crowdfunding Success a Good Sign for Social Entrepreneurs”

Michigan Startups: Funding through Crowdfunding

I read an article this morning on MIBiz Filling the Funding Gap: More capital required to meet $1.3 billion need from existing Michigan companies Recognizing this gap in funding, John Kerschen, managing partner of  Charter Capital Partners said this: “Institutional investors have been reluctant to put money into the small, first-time funds in Michigan thatContinue reading “Michigan Startups: Funding through Crowdfunding”

Crowdfunding News Update

Happy Friday! For those of you who’ve read my posts in the past, you know I promote crowdfunding as a untapped resource for social entrepreneurs. Below are a few headlines about what’s going on in the world of crowdfunding. Locally: “Localized crowdfunding platforms grow through grant matching program” Michigan’s MEDC matching grant program has beenContinue reading “Crowdfunding News Update”

LINC Real Estate Development News, and Lessons from Recent Court Decision

Happy Friday! News in local real estate development…. Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved a $15 Million Project. Article here. The Project, 70 housing units with retail on the first story, is being developed by LINC – a Grand Rapids based non-profit focused on Community Revitalization. LINC is great example of a local non-profit doingContinue reading “LINC Real Estate Development News, and Lessons from Recent Court Decision”