Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation

  UPDATE ON PROPOSED House Bill 4463 – Would Allow LLCs to Evict wi thout Legal Representation. House Bill 4463 was introduced in March and referred to the  committee on law and justice.   The Bill would allow owners of a single-member LLC (or a married couple under certain conditions) to file their own eviction actionsContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Bill Moves Forward Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”

Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.

It is Artprize again in downtown Grand Rapids! See one of the exhibits on Monroe Avenue in front of the Venue.   Question: Did you know: “Shall” has a different meaning then “May”? One is mandatory. The other is permissive. In business, it pays to be clear in the contract language you use.   Check outContinue reading “Business Law Update: Another Call to Clear Contract Drafting.”

Join me at Mel Trotter Ministries 3rd Annual Season of Hope Event – Keynote by Author Ron Hall “Same Kind of Different as Me”

Occasionally when I am walking in downtown Grand Rapids I will run into a guy with dirty clothes, smelling bad, looking homeless. When I am asked for money, my gut reaction is to want to help. Honestly though, oftentimes I have no idea what is the right response.   I will invariably pray for them,Continue reading “Join me at Mel Trotter Ministries 3rd Annual Season of Hope Event – Keynote by Author Ron Hall “Same Kind of Different as Me””

Removing Employment Barriers For the Most Vulnerable. Work To Be Done.

Today I read an article from the ABA Journal – NY District Attorney’s efforts resulted in some $644,000 of minor offenses being dismissed. Check out the article here. In making his argument in support of the massive dismissals, the District Attorney explained to the Judge that: “New Yorkers with 10-year-old summons warrants face unnecessary unemploymentContinue reading “Removing Employment Barriers For the Most Vulnerable. Work To Be Done.”

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

Yesterday I read a story about a Detroiter, Raphael Wright who plans on opening a “mission-driven supermarket” in downtown Detroit. Check out the article on NextCity. Raphael’s idea is sparked by a much needed grocery option in Detroit- particularly for low-income residents. I love this idea. A few years back I took my family toContinue reading “Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores: Update on The Urban Food Initiative.”

Cautionary Tale for Real Estate Investors: Yesterday California Investor Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging at Foreclosure Sales.

There are many pitfalls for real estate investors who purchase distressed property. In today’s market, good deals for real estate investors are getting harder to come by. With distressed property becoming a scarce resource and competition ever increasing, some real estate investors have resorted to less than legal  acts to boost their profit. Investors should know thatContinue reading “Cautionary Tale for Real Estate Investors: Yesterday California Investor Sentenced to Prison for Bid Rigging at Foreclosure Sales.”

Business Law Update: Court Lessons on Personal Guarantees.

In the world of lending if a business wants to secure financing, you will be hard-pressed to find a bank that is not going to require some collateral, including a personal guarantee of the debt by the principal owner(s) of the business. businesses don’t want to sign personal guarantees; it’s why businesses take on theContinue reading “Business Law Update: Court Lessons on Personal Guarantees.”

OCC’s Remarks on Fintech Charter and a “Conversation about Financial Innovation and Fintech”

Today, Keith A. Noreika, Acting Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks encompassing the topic of Responsible Financial Innovation and Fintech Companies. You can read Mr. Noreika’s remarks here. All the excitement surrounding fintech companies reminds me of something that gets me excited – college football, particularly Michigan State Spartan Football (thus, a photo from oneContinue reading “OCC’s Remarks on Fintech Charter and a “Conversation about Financial Innovation and Fintech””

Fintech Company “Lemonade” Following Through on Its Purpose Driven Mission.

In the past I have posted on Fintech Companies – and highlighted a few – namely Lemonade.  Below is an update on some exciting things Lemonade is doing.   But as a threshold matter: What is Fintech?   According to FinTech Weekly: Financial technology, also known as FinTech, is a line of business based onContinue reading “Fintech Company “Lemonade” Following Through on Its Purpose Driven Mission.”

Business Law Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.

This morning was rainy and gray in Grand Rapids. It is one of those days that prompted me to write on a topic that can be downright depressing – when relationships between shareholders go bad. I had a client come in recently and ask me to set up an LLC for him. Client planned onContinue reading “Business Law Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.”