Category Archives: Uncategorized

Contractor Sentenced Today to Imprisonment Today the Department of Justice reported  that Roderic J. Smith, a subcontractor for the federal government, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for bribing a public official. See the press release here. According to the press release: Smith was the co-founder and president of a contracting company located inContinue reading “Contractors, Lawsuits, and Incarceration – Lessons from Local and National Headlines.”

2015 will be less burdensome on Real Estate Brokers and Agents from a Continual Education reporting standpoint. Real Estate Rama Reports the  significant changes that will affect RE Brokers and Agents. Beginning January 1, 2015, continuing education courses will no longer require preapproval by LARA and schools will not be required to report the hours asContinue reading “Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: New Law Will Ease CE Preapproval and Reporting Requirements Effective January 1, 2015”

  The Department of Justice issued a press release today regarding a billion dollar settlement it reached with Sun Trust, you can see that press release here.   This, and other settlements entered into as a result of DOJ litigation against financial giants should, at a minimum, serve as a good reminder of why real estateContinue reading “RE Professionals take heed: Fed Govt’s Billion Dollar Settlement with Sun Trust Related to Mortgage Loan Abuse”

  Even in small businesses, understanding who is responsible for making business decisions in an organization is an important piece of an effective business. Sometimes the distinction between roles/powers can be blurred. Corporations: The board, not the owners, make the decisions. In corporations, there is a distinction between ownership (shareholders) and management (directors). Under theContinue reading “Business Owners: Understand the Legal Role of your Board of Directors/Managers.”

Happy Friday, all!   I am a frequent guest blogger with  Grand Rapids Area Professionals For Excellence. I typically write about business law issues affecting entrepreneurs and small/closely held businesses in Michigan.   Yesterday I wrote an article about Crowdfunding – particularly Michigan’s new law exempting crowdfunding from securities registration in Michigan.   This could beContinue reading “Good News for Michigan Start-Up Businesses: Michigan’s New Crowdfunding Law”

    Just a click of the mouse, answer a few questions and BAM! You are your own lawyer.   The ABAJournal reported today about a new hurdle for LegalZoom – you can see that article here.     As reported in the article, “LegalZoom offers online, self-help legal documents in all 50 states andContinue reading “New Legal Challenge for Legal Zoom?”

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency  reported yesterday that the financial condition of community national banks and federal savings associations  in its nine-state Central District improved in 2013 as banks focused on strengthening risk management systems to help boost their performance.   You can see the OCC’s report here   OCC Director commentedContinue reading “Michigan Banks: Encouraging Report Out of The Office of Comptroller of the Currency”

House Bill 5217 would give incentives to Michigan businesses for hiring convicted felons back into the work force. Today the Senate Judiciary recommended that HB 5217 be given immediate effect.   As background…   There are a number of great companies who reach out to support putting Michiganders with certain barriers to work.  Goodwill IndustriesContinue reading “Michigan Businesses: New Bill to Limit Employer Liability for Hiring Convicts with Certificate of Employability”

A case decided April 10th may cut off any claims of wrongful foreclosure by a homeowner after the expiration of redemption period.   The Case is Glenna Bryan v JP Morgan Chase,Docket No. 313279 (April 10, 2014, Mich Ct App)   There, the Court of Appeals noted that:   “Defendant argues that plaintiffs lacked standingContinue reading “Mortgage Holders, Investors, and Agents: New Case Law Definitively States No Standing After Redemption Period?”

A few days ago the ABAJournal posted an article about a lawsuit that has been 13 years in the making – Allstate agents signed a “right-to-sue waiver” – are they precluded from filing a lawsuit now? See the article here   A few thoughts after reading that article:   Do you use standard contracts in your business?Continue reading “Businesses: Consider Limitation Clauses in Your Contracts”