Uncategorized – Page 4 – Purpose Driven General Counsel

West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship

Today I read an article by MLIVE titled “Michigan Companies could act like non-profits under proposed law” commenting on Michigan’s new Benefit Corporation Legislation – I posted about the new BCorp Legislation a week ago Something caught my attention in this article: in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand RapidsContinue reading “West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship”

B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship

A few months back I sat on a panel to discuss Non-Profit Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. You can check out the video here. I was asked to provide some comments on B Corps – or Benefit Corporations. To cover some basics – B-Corps have a dual purpose – To create profit and “create aContinue reading “B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship”

City of Lansing Settlement Agreement and a Non-Disparagement Clause with a $10k Penalty

I read an article a few days ago about the City Lansing’s Mayor, Virg Bernero and a settlement agreement he apparently negotiated that included a payout that was made, as reported by the Free Press, “so everybody would be happy.” What I found interesting was “the settlement agreement signed by Bernero and McIntyre also includes aContinue reading “City of Lansing Settlement Agreement and a Non-Disparagement Clause with a $10k Penalty”

A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.

If you are reading this, you may know that I am a lawyer. I love working with entrepreneurs – a large number of my clients invest in/manage real estate. As the current Chairman of the Board of Mel Trotter Ministries, I also care very deeply about the homeless, hurting, and hungry. I was inContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Perspective: the Tension Between Encouraging Real Estate Entrepreneurship and Keeping Families in Affordable Housing.”

Drunk Driving Shatters Lives: Statewide Crackdown on Drunk Driving Begins Today.

Today, the Michigan State Police along with 150 other police agencies begin acrackdown on drunk driving that will extend through April 4th. The effort is coordinated by the Office of Highway Safety Planning and is supported by federal traffic safety funds. Drunk Driving Shatters Lives. My friend, Michael Mayes, lost two sisters, Shannon and Heather, inContinue reading “Drunk Driving Shatters Lives: Statewide Crackdown on Drunk Driving Begins Today.”

Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses

On March 3, Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235). Today HR 235 was on the agenda for the Commerce and Trade Committee Meeting. HR 235 is a “resolution to support the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent adoption of rules pursuant to Title III of the JOBS Act which are designed to facilitate small and start-upContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses”

Lawsuit Puts ‘Homeless Alcoholics’ in the Spotlight.

I read an article this morning from the ABAJoural entitled: Civil rights suit says Virginia ‘drunkard’ law criminalizes those who are homeless alcoholics. According to the article, a federal civil rights suit filed Thursday in Roanoke, Virginia says two cities are unconstitutionally jailing homeless alcoholics. A fact sheet provided by the attorneys representing the individuals stated: “AsContinue reading “Lawsuit Puts ‘Homeless Alcoholics’ in the Spotlight.”

Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes.

Happy Friday! I love reading Michigan Court of Appeals decisions. Even if it is not a significant decision related to a novel legal issue, cases usually do a good job of demonstrating pitfalls for people to watch out for. Take for instance, the Phillips v TruFit case decided on February 9th of this year. This case providesContinue reading “Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes.”

Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.

This morning I was reading a legal blog “Above the Law” – the article was written by an attorney named John Balestriere The article was titled “The Un-Sweet Spot Of Litigation“ This article provides very practical advice for my clients – small/closely-held businesses. John makes a great point – the court system is impractical for “most disputes”.Continue reading “Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.”