Tag Archives: business

Changes Coming to Non-Compete Laws in Michigan?

Here’s a scenario I see routinely: Person leaves a business to go start up their own competing business. I ask: did you sign any restrictive agreements with the company that affect what you can do when you leave? The answer I hear it all the time: “Yeah, I signed a non-compete but I know theyContinue reading “Changes Coming to Non-Compete Laws in Michigan?”

Michigan Non Profit Corporations: 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline is October 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.

Good morning, all. I hope you are enjoying the summer. It is most definitely my favorite time to be in Michigan. Today I received an e-mail from The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs(“LARA”) reminding that all annual statements and reports for Non Profit Corporations are due October 1, 2018.   At the end of lastContinue reading “Michigan Non Profit Corporations: 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline is October 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.”

A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.

Today I  took a photo of 50 Monroe in downtown Grand Rapids – right across the street from my office. The transformation of 50 Monroe, where my firm’s office used to be located for almost 20 years, is pretty fun to watch. I look forward to seeing the finished product. As I posted a few daysContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.”

Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.

Happy Tuesday, all. I took this photo yesterday from the skywalk between the Amway Grand Plaza and the DeVos Place Convention Center. I like walking downtown and watching the development unfold. It is an exciting time to be working or living in downtown Grand Rapids. Everywhere you look, real estate development is transforming the town. CheckContinue reading “Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.”

Michigan Limited Liability Companies: LARA extends 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline to March 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.

It is the middle of the dreary season – February 15th. Not too long and I, like many folks in West Michigan with school-aged kids will be heading to Florida for Spring Break. This is a photo I took last year – sunnier days ahead. Anyway, on to the point of this post:   Today IContinue reading “Michigan Limited Liability Companies: LARA extends 2018 Annual Statement Filing Deadline to March 1. Stay in Good Standing and Maintain your Corporate Formalities.”

Business Law Basics: A 5 Million Dollar Comma

Today in downtown Grand Rapids is the “World of Winter Festival” where Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.  provides a “Snow Globe” experience. Very colorful.  A lot of fun downtown.     Today I read an article posted by the ABAJournal that illustrates the profound impact on word and grammar usage in contracts and legislation. As the ABAJournal reported: “A dairyContinue reading “Business Law Basics: A 5 Million Dollar Comma”

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.”

Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.

On June 14, 2017, House Bill 4755 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. If passed it would limit the enforceability of a non-competition agreement signed between an employer and an employee. In my opinion – in some pretty significant ways. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appearsContinue reading “Business Law Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”

Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act

Greetings on this cloudy Friday in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Business owner: I’m going to give you a scenario. Let’s say your business wants to engage the services of another business to sell its products. Q: When a business wants to engage the services of another business that will necessarily involve the business divulging confidential informationContinue reading “Business Law Update: Unfair Competition may not be Preempted by Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act”