A common scenario in my legal practice: Investor purchases property in an LLC. Investor locates a tenant. Tenant falls behind in rent. Investor hires attorney to evict Tenant. Why hold real estate in an LLC? Most of my investor clients own investment real estate in a Limited Liability Company. This is for liability protection. OnceContinue reading “Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation”
Category Archives: business
Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.
On June 14, 2017, House Bill 4755 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. If passed it would limit the enforceability of a non-competition agreement signed between an employer and an employee. In my opinion – in some pretty significant ways. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appearsContinue reading “Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”
Warning for Real Estate Investors: Three Northern California Real Estate Investors Convicted of Rigging Bids at Public Foreclosure Auctions
There are many pitfalls for real estate investors who purchase distressed property. In today’s market, good deals are getting harder to come by. With distressed property becoming a scarce resource and competition ever increasing, some real estate investors have resorted to illegal acts to boost their profit. Investors should know that the Department of JusticeContinue reading “Warning for Real Estate Investors: Three Northern California Real Estate Investors Convicted of Rigging Bids at Public Foreclosure Auctions”
More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis
Today is a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids. The photo below actually from yesterday. There is something about the sun that just puts me in a good mood. A few days ago I did not have a sunny disposition. I was in court during a landlord/tenant docket. I’ll be honest – it was a depressing scene. ManyContinue reading “More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis”
Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.
Last year Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235) “to support the (SEC)’s recent adoption of rules…to facilitate small and start-up companies’ access to capital raised through crowdfunding.” The resolution supports crowdfunding as viable tools for start-up businesses. The resolution acknowledges: “Businesses in Michigan have greatly benefited from the opportunities created by the…Michigan Invests Locally ExemptionContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: Crowdfunding Law Update.”
Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression
There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. It has been almost 3 years since the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in the Madugula v Taub case on Michigan’s shareholder/member oppression statutes. The Madugula clarified that a claimantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression”
Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.
Falling From Grace. Yesterday, I was at a CBMC Grand Rapids Luncheon and listed to Craig DeRoche tell his remarkable story of his rise to becoming the youngest House Speaker in Michigan history and abrupt fall to incarceration due to his hidden drug and alcohol addiction. Craig now uses his skills and unique life experiencesContinue reading “Michigan Business Law: Update on Work Opportunity Act – Removing Barriers to Employment for Ex-Felons.”
Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill
A common scenario in my legal practice: Investor purchases property in an LLC. Investor locates a tenant. Tenant falls behind in rent. Investor hires attorney to evict Tenant. Why hold real estate in an LLC? Most of my investor clients own investment real estate in a Limited Liability Company. This is for liability protection. Once aContinue reading “Landlords/Investors/Property Managers: Single Member LLCs Could Evict Tenants without Legal Representation under House Bill”
Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Greetings on this cloudy Friday in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Business owner: I’m going to give you a scenario. Let’s say your business wants to engage the services of another business to sell its products. Q: When a business wants to engage the services of another business that will necessarily involve the business divulging confidential informationContinue reading “Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act”
Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.
Detroit Startup Week is about a month away. It is exciting to see the growth in downtown Detroit. Detroit was recently ranked the No. 4 City where Downtown is Making a Comeback. It must be an exciting time to be part of the downtown Detroit community. The city promises to be buzzing during Detroit StartupContinue reading “Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 