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.”
Category Archives: social entrepreneurs
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.”
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?”
Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.
On Wednesday my year-long term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mel Trotter Ministries came to an end. It truly has been my honor to serve. As I reflect on my year of service, I wanted to share a few thoughts. Who was Mel Trotter? On Tuesdays throughout the year, Mel Trotter MinistriesContinue reading “Reflections from the Past-Board Chair at Mel Trotter Ministries.”
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”
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.”
Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.
Last month, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency gave remarks about Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies. You can read Mr. Curry’s remarks here. Mr. Curry announced that the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) would move forward with considering applications from financial technology (fintech) companies to become special purpose national banks. Mr. Curry hadContinue reading “Update on Fintech, Social Entrepreneurship and Special Purpose National Bank Charters for Fintech Companies.”
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.”
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?”
Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?
Today the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund released its five year Strategic Plan If you are not familiar with the CDFI, the CDFI “works to spur economic growth and opportunity in many of our nation’s most distressed communities.“ “The CDFI Fund’s mission is to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting theContinue reading “Update on Community Development and Affordable Housing: Is an Answer Found in Social Enterprise?”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 