Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.

Disclaimer: The photo below has nothing to do with this post. It is simply my way of recognizing that I am sick of winter and looking forward to the 15 hour drive to Florida in a few weeks…   Today I read an article posted by the ABAJournal that illustrates the profound impact on word andContinue reading “Business Law Basics: “For Want of a Comma” The Words You Use Can be Costly.”

Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.

It is a beautiful Friday afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids – which is why I took a picture of Rosa Parks Circle. You can see the zamboni is out on the rink. I can’t imagine the ice will last, since the weather is supposed to get in the upper 50s this weekend…   I oftenContinue reading “Business Case Law Update: Set up Your business agreement with the End in Mind.”

Business Law Update: Key Terms to Consider in Business Contracts.

If you’ve followed my posts for any amount of time, you probably aren’t surprised that I  like reading and writing about the latest Michigan court cases. Particularly if they are relevant to business or real estate. I always find there are some lessons to be learned. As another aside – I also like to includeContinue reading “Business Law Update: Key Terms to Consider in Business Contracts.”

Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?

Business Owners – ask yourself: When selling or buying, what are in my company’s Terms and Conditions? You can check out some of my prior posts on Terms and Conditions. “TnCs” are important to review closely. TnCs “allocate risk” among the two parties to the contract. In some instances, even if one party never reads theContinue reading “Business Law Update: You have Terms and Conditions, but are they CONSPICUOUS?”

Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.

We are heading towards the end of the year – I love the Christmas season! One thing that comes to mind for local business owners going into the New Year – make sure that your legal documents and procedures are in proper order. As every business owner should know, one of the main purposes inContinue reading “Pitfalls for Business Owners: Recent Court Case on Piercing the Corporate Veil.”

Legislative Update and Non-Disparagement Clauses in Contracts

Today, I read an article published in the ABAJournal titled: In bid to protect online reviews, Congress OKs bill banning gag clauses in consumer contracts  According to the ABAJournal: “Congress has passed a bipartisan bill that aims to protect negative online reviews by banning nondisparagement clauses in nonnegotiable consumer contracts.” It appears that this legislationContinue reading “Legislative Update and Non-Disparagement Clauses in Contracts”

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.”

Real Estate Case Law: Tenants in Common v Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship – A Potentially Costly Distinction.

This morning I read a court of appeals decision that came out on October 18 – it provides a classic example of why you need to take care in drafting real estate documents.   The case: In Re Estate of Lyle Steiner Facts are relatively straight forward: In 2007, Tuscan Plaza Condominiums, LLC, conveyed aContinue reading “Real Estate Case Law: Tenants in Common v Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship – A Potentially Costly Distinction.”

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.”