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.”
Category Archives: Real Estate
Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
On March 30, 2017 House Bill 4456 was introduced. The Bill would repeal Michigan’s prohibition on Rent Control. The Bill was presumably proposed in response to the affordable housing crisis in Michigan and all across the United States. Other local governments across the U.S. are exploring legislative avenues to address the housing crisis. According toContinue reading “Recent Michigan House Bill Would Repeal Prohibition on Rent Control – A Response to the Affordable Housing Crisis?”
Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York
Yesterday, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Fintech Innovation at LendIT USA (The Worlds Biggest Show in Lending and Fintech) Conference in New York. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry praised the innovative Fintech Companies who “have fueled healthy competition to modernize and improve how the nation’s financial services needsContinue reading “Fintech Update: Disruption for Good. The OCC’s Remarks Yesterday to Fintech Innovators at LendIt USA in New York”
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.”
Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.
Two Thanksgivings ago I took my family to New York City. Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City. We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down a block to a grocery store and get allContinue reading “Michigan Legislation Update: The Urban Food Initiative. Community Revitalization To Include Downtown Grocery Stores.”
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.”
Real Estate Law Update: A Discussion on Laches
A few years back I wrote a post about the legal doctrine of Laches and how laches relates to real estate disputes. Since then, I consistently get a lot of hits on that post – and a lot of searches for “laches in real estate.” Why? I don’t know. Maybe because its an unfamiliar term, unless youContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: A Discussion on Laches”
Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.
We are heading towards the end of the year – I love the Christmas season! One thing that comes to mind for local business owners going into the New Year – make sure that your legal documents and procedures are in proper order. As every business owner should know, one of the main purposes inContinue reading “Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.”
Big Bank Troubles and Trending Towards Community Banking or Fintech?
“The so-called Sons and Daughters Program was nothing more than bribery by another name,” -Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. Today the Department of Justice issued a Press Release – JP Morgan’s Investment Bank in Hong Kong has agreed to pay a $72 Million Penalty for Corrupt Hiring Scheme in China. Yikes. A couple of thoughts: 1.Continue reading “Big Bank Troubles and Trending Towards Community Banking or Fintech?”
Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.
I recently read yet another court decision that provides a classic example for businesses owners of the consequences for not reviewing your contracts before signing. The case: the October 6th, 2016 Michigan Court of Appeals decision of Earl Pegues, LLC v Izis General Contractors, LLC. The dispute concerned a construction agreement. The property owner, PeguesContinue reading “Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 