On November 9, 2016 House Bill 6017 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. I have spent several articles discussing the legal consequences/enforceability issues of non-competes. It appears the Legislature is wrestling with the question posed byContinue reading “Business Legislation Update: Business Owners: Bill Would Restrict Non-Competition Agreements with Employees.”
Tag Archives: business
Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.
I recently read yet another court decision that provides a classic example for businesses owners of the consequences for not reviewing your contracts before signing. The case: the October 6th, 2016 Michigan Court of Appeals decision of Earl Pegues, LLC v Izis General Contractors, LLC. The dispute concerned a construction agreement. The property owner, PeguesContinue reading “Another Court Lesson for Business Owners: Read Your Contracts Before You Sign.”
Reminder to Michigan Limited Liability Companies: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.
Occasionally I will have a business client come in and I will ask – just to make sure – “is your business still in good standing?” The common answer is “I think so.” And of course, after I perform a quick internet check with the State of Michigan it is all too common that IContinue reading “Reminder to Michigan Limited Liability Companies: Maintain your Corporate Formalities and Keep up your Guard.”
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?”
Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.
House Bills 5710, 5711 & 5712 were introduced on May 31, that would allow BCorps to be formed under Michigan Law. Although the State House has taken no formal action since June 1, in late September the House Fiscal Agency issued a Fiscal Analysis on the BCorp bills, check it out here. The AnalysisContinue reading “Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: Update on Michigan’s Benefit Corporation Legislation.”
Business Law Update: Why Your Operating Agreement Matters.
Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Let me paint you a picture: You decide to go into business. You’ve identified a business partner. You and your business partner decide the details of who is going to contribute what (capital, finances, “sweat equity”, etc..). Your startup is now off and running! Your business does not go as expected. You haveContinue reading “Business Law Update: Why Your Operating Agreement Matters.”
Recent Court Case Provides Good Lessons For Real Estate Investors.
Its Wednesday and I wanted to share a court of appeals case that came out on September 15th. Case: Key Bank v Lake Villa Oxford Assoc, et. al. Lesson: be careful when drafting “personal guarantees” I’ve written in the past about personal guarantees. This particular case involved a real estate development gone bad. Defendant, developer,Continue reading “Recent Court Case Provides Good Lessons For Real Estate Investors.”
Grand Rapids’ Businesses: Lessons from a Recent West Michigan Court Case- Read Those Terms and Conditions.
Business owner – let’s say you just signed a purchase order and agreed to buy some product for your business. The product is not what you expected. In fact, its not going to help you in your business at all. You don’t pay for it. You get sued. You take the contract to your lawyerContinue reading “Grand Rapids’ Businesses: Lessons from a Recent West Michigan Court Case- Read Those Terms and Conditions.”
Business Owners: Think Before you Sign. Recent Court Case Shows Why the Language in Your Contracts Matter.
Here’s to warmer weather! I’ve previously written about the importance of understanding the contracts you sign. I just read a recent Court of Appeals decision that provides a great illustration for business owners to give pause before signing a contract on the dotted line. Check out the case of Solis v Kroger and The Greener Side.Continue reading “Business Owners: Think Before you Sign. Recent Court Case Shows Why the Language in Your Contracts Matter.”
Celebrating Entrepreneurs: National Startup Day
Yesterday August 4 was the 4th Annual National Startup Day Across America. According to the website, National Startup Day Across America was created to: “raise awareness of startup activity and job creation and help catalyze support for your local entrepreneurial community. On the importance of startups in the U.S.: “Startup companies act as entrepreneurial leaders, innovators, and jobContinue reading “Celebrating Entrepreneurs: National Startup Day”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 