Michigan is Back Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: April 24, 2018 Benefit Corporation Legislation Proposed.

Good morning! Downtown Grand Rapids is starting to look and feel like spring. The trees are just starting to get their leaves – I can’t wait for West Michigan to become green once again. Speaking of new life – the legislature has breathed new life in the possibility of benefit corporations (“Bcorps”) becoming a viableContinue reading “Michigan is Back Trending Towards Social Entrepreneurship: April 24, 2018 Benefit Corporation Legislation Proposed.”

Business Law Update: When Can a Business Sue Another Business over its Corporate Status?

I (like much of West Michigan) am headed out the office and on vacation for my kids’ Spring Break. But before I go I wanted to share an interesting business law case that came out a few days ago. Check out the March 27, 2018  case: Michigan Radiology Society v OMIC, LLC et al TheContinue reading “Business Law Update: When Can a Business Sue Another Business over its Corporate Status?”

Business Law Update: Michigan Bill Would Prohibit Non-Disparagement Clauses with Consumers.

I’m not going to sugar coat it – it is a gray day in downtown Grand Rapids. I had lunch with a friend today, who told me – he can’t stand it when in response to the question “how are you doing” someone gives a pat answer – “good”.   I agree. I appreciate authenticity.Continue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Bill Would Prohibit Non-Disparagement Clauses with Consumers.”

Business Law Update: Michigan LLCs Filing with LARA: Pardon the Delays and Thank you for your Patience.

Happy Thursday, all! I took this photo earlier today – the sun is out in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan and people are enjoying  the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle. Last week I posted about an update I received from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) extending the deadline to file annual statements andContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan LLCs Filing with LARA: Pardon the Delays and Thank you for your Patience.”

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 Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.

This morning was rainy and gray in Grand Rapids. It is one of those days that prompted me to write on a topic that can be downright depressing – when relationships between shareholders go bad. I had a client come in recently and ask me to set up an LLC for him. Client planned onContinue reading “Business Law Update: Lessons From Court on Deadlock Between Business Owners.”

Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression

  There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. It has been almost 3 years since the Michigan Supreme Court issued its Opinion in the  Madugula v Taub  case on Michigan’s shareholder/member oppression statutes. The Madugula clarified that a claimantContinue reading “Business Law Update: Michigan Supreme Court’s May 15, 2017 Decision on Minority Oppression”

Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.

Detroit Startup Week is about a month away. It is exciting to see the growth in downtown Detroit.  Detroit was recently ranked the No. 4 City where Downtown is Making a Comeback. It must be an exciting time to be part of the downtown Detroit community.  The city promises to be buzzing during Detroit StartupContinue reading “Detroit Startup Week Kicks off with Legal Panels: There are Legal Matters Startups Need to Know.”

Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?

I took this photo from my office, the first day of Spring 2017. It is fitting that the ice rink in Rosa Parks’ circle is melting. With spring comes new opportunities – including employees leaving their jobs. What happens if the employee signed a non-competition agreement during the course of employment? Are non-competes enforceable?  Continue reading “Business Law Update: When are Non-Competes Enforceable?”

Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder Oppression.

There are relatively few court opinions covering the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. There have been even less on the issue of minority oppression claims. So I was excited to see a recent Court of Appeals decision on that subject. Check out the February 9, 2017 unpublished decision of Wisner v SB Indiana, LLC, et alContinue reading “Business Law Update: A discussion on Business Shareholder Oppression.”