Business Law update: Michigan Senate to Take up “Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act”

  It is a rainy day in Grand Rapids, today. I took this photo of Lyons Street – showing the Amway Grand Plaza and the Windquest Building. Speaking of Amway and Windquest, the Michigan House passed a Bill that would benefit Amway’s direct sales business.   The Michigan legislature has been busy proposing some interestingContinue reading “Business Law update: Michigan Senate to Take up “Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act””

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.”

MI Supreme Court in Lawsuit Involving 5 Hour Energy: Commercial Non-Competes Must be Evaluated Under the Rule of Reason.

A while back I wrote a post about the  Court of Appeals Decision: The Non-Compete Lawsuit Involving 5 Hour Energy. To recap, the facts: Parties: Plaintiff, Innovation Ventures, LLC, – the maker of “5 Hour Energy” Defendants Liquid Manufacturing, LLC, K & L Development of Michigan, LLC, and Peter Paisley and Andrew Krause, the presidentsContinue reading “MI Supreme Court in Lawsuit Involving 5 Hour Energy: Commercial Non-Competes Must be Evaluated Under the Rule of Reason.”

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”

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.”

Michigan Business Law Update: A Tool for Business in Fighting Against Patent Trolls

Routinely I will get an e-mail from a business client who received some e-mail “notice”  from some “legal department” across the country/world about a photo or other media that my client may have innocently posted to their business website. You may know the scenario I’m referring to – those who apparently patrol cyberspace in search of anyone usingContinue reading “Michigan Business Law Update: A Tool for Business in Fighting Against Patent Trolls”

Recent Delaware Law and Closely Held Business Disputes

I just read in the ABAJournal article that Delaware passed a law favorable to shareholders in litigation. “A law banning corporate bylaws that impose a hefty price on investors who file unsuccessful shareholder derivative suits has been signed by Delaware’s governor.” The Delaware legislature apparently recognizes  the challenges that minority shareholders can face in closely held businesses.Continue reading “Recent Delaware Law and Closely Held Business Disputes”

Update on Michigan Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding (MILE Act)

A quick update on Michigan’s MILE Act – Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding…. I have written about previously that the State of Michigan has been slow to propose and implement rules to provide guidance on the practical application of Intrastate Crowdfunding. Today, Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued a posting on its website: “LARA OffersContinue reading “Update on Michigan Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding (MILE Act)”

Michigan Business Update for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Happy Monday, all! A quick update – I recently posted on social entrepreneurship and crowdfunding in Michigan. Check that post here. By way of update, Today, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) posted a press release  about a crowdfunding campaign launched by a Ypsilanti non-profit –  “Cultivate Coffee and Tap House.”  As I’ve mentioned in aContinue reading “Michigan Business Update for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Owners”