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”
Category Archives: litigation
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”
Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.
Today I am posting about a Court of Appeals case decided on April 25, 2017 – Suzor v Kamlay Foreclosed Property = high risk/high reward. Real estate investors are always wary of the many pitfalls when purchasing property at foreclosure. I’ve previously posted on problems when someone is still occupying the Property after foreclosure. The latest case talksContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Investors Purchasing at Foreclosure – Take Care in Handling Personal Property Left at the Property.”
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”
Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?
I took this photo from my office, the first day of Spring 2017. It is fitting that the ice rink in Rosa Parks’ circle is melting. With spring comes new opportunities – including employees leaving their jobs. What happens if the employee signed a non-competition agreement during the course of employment? Are non-competes enforceable? Continue reading “Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?”
Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.
Disclaimer: The photo below has nothing to do with this post. It is simply my way of recognizing that I am sick of winter and looking forward to the 15 hour drive to Florida in a few weeks… Today I read an article posted by the ABAJournal that illustrates the profound impact on word andContinue reading “Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.”
Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder 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. So I was excited to see a recent Court of Appeals decision on that subject. Check out the February 9, 2017 unpublished decision of Wisner v SB Indiana, LLC, et alContinue reading “Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder Oppression.”
Real Estate Law and Affordable Housing Issues: Lawsuit Alleges Landlords Discriminating Against Families.
Here’s a profound truth those in the real estate industry will readily acknowledge: Owning and Managing Real Estate is challenging. I hear it from my Property Owner/Manager clients. I experience it when I am in court litigating or negotiating landlord/tenant disputes. Here’s another profound truth: In many parts of the country, including Grand Rapids, Michigan, we have anContinue reading “Real Estate Law and Affordable Housing Issues: Lawsuit Alleges Landlords Discriminating Against Families.”
A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.
It is the end of 2016. I am having “big picture” thoughts as the year ends. I have a pretty nice “big picture” view out of my office window. Out of my office window from the 12th floor of 99 Monroe overlooks many ice skaters at Rosa Parks’ Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. It isContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Year-End Reflections.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 