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.”
Tag Archives: startup
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”
Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.
Words Matter. Contracts are about risk allocation. In a transaction, who bears what risk? Back in April I posted on a recent Supreme Court case – Bank of America v First American Title, et. al. If you recall, that case involved allegations of mortgage fraud perpetrated against BOA to the tune of millions of dollars. AboutContinue reading “Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.”
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”
Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements
Happy Friday! Today’s headline in the ABAJournal: Illinois attorney general sues Jimmy John’s over noncompete clauses for low-wage workers Yikes. A few years ago I posted on this issue According to the ABAJournal: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan claims in a lawsuit that Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurants are violating state law by requiring low-wage workersContinue reading “Jimmy John’s Sued over Non-Competition Agreements”
Social Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses – Update on Intrastate Crowdfunding
A recent Detroit Free Press article highlights the success of Tecumseh Brewing Co, the first business in Michigan to utilize Michigan’s intrastate crowdfunding exemption to securities registration, commonly referred to as the MILE Act. Crowdfunding: Potential for Start-up Businesses. As the Free Press article explains, The story of Tecumseh Brewing Co highlights why equity crowdfunding isContinue reading “Social Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses – Update on Intrastate Crowdfunding”
What’s Going on With Banks? Part II: Comptroller on Currency and Community-Based Banks
In my March 11th Post on “What’s Going on With Banks” I made an observation: such worldwide bad press on big banks might lead to increased lending at community based banks. No sooner than I hit “publish” on my post did I receive several more news headlines regarding big bank lawsuits. I get regular “Enforcement Actions”Continue reading “What’s Going on With Banks? Part II: Comptroller on Currency and Community-Based Banks”
Legal News Update Begs the Questions: are Universal Legal Forms a Good Investment for a Business Start-up?
Happy Friday! The ABAJournal reported today that LegalZoom “has gotten a green light to operate in the United Kingdom as an alternative business structure.” You can read the entire article here The ABAJournal also has an interesting extensive article about the value of these alternative legal service providers see that article here I’ve previously commentedContinue reading “Legal News Update Begs the Questions: are Universal Legal Forms a Good Investment for a Business Start-up?”
Business Law Update: It Will Be a Merry Christmas For Some Startup Non-Profits.
Christmas has come early for some small non-profits seeking federal tax exemption under the 1023-EZ Application Process. Back in September I posted on the Federal Government’s new process for a potentially quicker and more cost-effective way for small startup non-profits to gain 501(c)(3) Exemption. You can see that article here As a recap, The IRSContinue reading “Business Law Update: It Will Be a Merry Christmas For Some Startup Non-Profits.”