Legal Update on Michigan Bcorps and Purpose Driven Business.

Happy Tuesday, all. I recently took this photo of the Grand River that flows through downtown Grand Rapids. Today I read an article in the Grand Rapids Business Journal by Local First President Elissa Sangalli Hillary on how to build a “Purpose Driven Business“. Elissa starts off the article by advising entrepreneurs to “start with yourContinue reading “Legal Update on Michigan Bcorps and Purpose Driven Business.”

Removing Barriers for the Vulnerable in our Society.

  Today is the first day of Artprize!  I took this photo today. For the next few weeks Grand Rapids will be swarming with visitors to see Art like the “Phoenix” – see below a photo I took.   Mel Trotter Ministries  – showing compassion for the vulnerable Today just so happens to be MelContinue reading “Removing Barriers for the Vulnerable in our Society.”

Today OCC Begins Accepting National Bank Charter Applications From FinTech Companies

It’s Tuesday in Grand Rapids. Beautiful mid-70s, a bit overcast and if you look carefully you can see the reflection of my shirt as I took the photo from my office window… Today, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced it will begin accepting applications for national bank charters from fintech companies.Continue reading “Today OCC Begins Accepting National Bank Charter Applications From FinTech Companies”

Michigan Non Profit Corporations: 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline is October 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.

Good morning, all. I hope you are enjoying the summer. It is most definitely my favorite time to be in Michigan. Today I received an e-mail from The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs(“LARA”) reminding that all annual statements and reports for Non Profit Corporations are due October 1, 2018.   At the end of lastContinue reading “Michigan Non Profit Corporations: 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline is October 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.”

Michigan Behind the Ball with Benefit Corporation Laws.

Good afternoon, all. It has been a while since my last post – I hope you all have been enjoying the summer. I usually include in these posts a recent photo of downtown Grand Rapids where my office overlooks Rosa Parks Circle.  On one of my walks downtown last week I decided to take aContinue reading “Michigan Behind the Ball with Benefit Corporation Laws.”

A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.

Today I  took a photo of 50 Monroe in downtown Grand Rapids – right across the street from my office. The transformation of 50 Monroe, where my firm’s office used to be located for almost 20 years, is pretty fun to watch. I look forward to seeing the finished product. As I posted a few daysContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.”

Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.

Happy Tuesday, all. I took this photo yesterday from the skywalk between the Amway Grand Plaza and the DeVos Place Convention Center. I like walking downtown and watching the development unfold. It is an exciting time to be working or living in downtown Grand Rapids. Everywhere you look, real estate development is transforming the town. CheckContinue reading “Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.”

Detroit Startup Week Kicks Off – Schedule Now Available, Includes Legal Workshops

Today starts art festival in Grand Rapids – I took this photo just minutes ago. Summer is coming fast and so is Detroit Startup Week. Scheduled from June 18-22. According to its website, Startup week is: “A week long celebration of Detroit’s entrepreneurs. Volunteer-led and completely free for attendees, we are aiming to create a communityContinue reading “Detroit Startup Week Kicks Off – Schedule Now Available, Includes Legal Workshops”

My Thoughts on Social Enterprise: Am I Living Each Day with Conviction and Purpose?

Last week I mowed the lawn for the first time this year. I didn’t have any gas to fill up the mower, so I just relied on the unknown amount of gas that had been in the mower over the winter. As I was mowing the back yard, the largest portion of my lawn, IContinue reading “My Thoughts on Social Enterprise: Am I Living Each Day with Conviction and Purpose?”

Small Businesses and Startups: What you Don’t Know Can Hurt You.

It is truly starting to feel like summer in downtown Grand Rapids! This was the scene today from my office.   Summer is coming fast and so is Detroit Startup Week. Scheduled from June 18-22.   According to its website, Startup week is: “A week long celebration of Detroit’s entrepreneurs. Volunteer-led and completely free forContinue reading “Small Businesses and Startups: What you Don’t Know Can Hurt You.”