On August 16, 2017 HB 4872 was introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives. The Bill amend the “Elliott-Larsen civil rights act,” and would provide that veterans are included in the list of those protected by Michigan law against housing discrimination. The Bill would define Military Service as: “STATUS OF BEING AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERContinue reading “Real Estate Investors and Property Managers Should Keep Track of this Bill to Make Veterans a Protected Class in Housing Discrimination.”
Category Archives: social entrepreneurs
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.”
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.”
Real Estate Investors: Update on Bill Allowing Single Member LLCs To Evict Tenants without Legal Representation
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”
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”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 