Blog

• Grand Rapids Business Journal: West Michigan attorneys win statewide honors

  July 29, 2015

  “A trio of attorneys from West Michigan have been named to the 2015 class of Michigan Women in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.”

• Statutory Conversion: Recent Rulings Provide Clarity and Relief for Litigation Plaintiffs

  July 6, 2015

  (July 7, 2015) Statutory conversion (i.e., civil theft) under MCL § 600.2919a permits a plaintiff to sue a defendant for “converting property to [that] person’s own use.” It is an often-alleged claim by Michigan plaintiffs, and for good reason. A successful statutory conversion claim opens the door to recovering treble damages and legal fees, and with […]

• Employers: Get Ready to Pay More Overtime

  June 30, 2015

  (June 30, 2015) The proposed regulations released today by the Department of Labor (DOL) aim to increase the salary basis test to $970 per week, or $50,440 per year for a full-time salaried worker.  If finalized as written, the new rules will double the basis for salary exemption, which is currently set at $455 per […]

• Grand Rapids Business Journal: Joint liability found in H2A grower/contractor relationship

  June 26, 2015

  “While working with an H2A labor contractor to obtain foreign migrant workers can be beneficial for growers in terms of easing costs and liability, it doesn’t waylay all risks for the grower”

• A Primer on Asset Purchase Agreements

  June 8, 2015

  Most business transactions are structured as either a “stock sale” or an “asset sale.”  When a business sells its assets, the primary agreement governing the transaction is an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”).  While the details contained in an APA will depend on the specifics of each business transaction, there are several key questions that […]

• A Primer on Stock Purchase Agreements

  June 8, 2015

  Most business transactions are structured as either a “stock sale” or an “asset sale.”  When a business owner sells stock, the primary agreement governing the transaction is a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”).  While the specifics of each business transaction will drive the details contained in the SPA, there are several key questions that will […]

• Nursing Mothers in the Workplace – A Helpful Reminder to Employers

  June 8, 2015

  (June 4, 2015) Earlier this week, a federal court in New York considered whether an employee had a claim against her employer for allegedly violating protections given to nursing mothers through the Affordable Care Act, which amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). While the court dismissed the employer’s argument that no private right of […]

• Court Sends Warning Signal to Michigan Business Owners Regarding Shareholder Oppression Litigation

  June 2, 2015

  (June 25, 2015) A recent decision by the Michigan Supreme Court raises two important points for Michigan businesses and business owners: issues of shareholder oppression and any potential remedies for oppression are decided by the judge, not a jury, and a violation of a shareholder agreement or other governing corporate documents can create a claim for […]

• Wealthy Lake Michigan homeowner wins back property tax exemptions

  May 15, 2015

  “The ruling will cut Nass’ $17,000 winter property tax bill by about $9,000 a year for the home she owns on 100 feet of Lake Michigan beach.”

• New FMLA Forms Available for Employers

  May 8, 2015

  (May 28, 2015) Earlier this year, many of the forms that employers use in the daily administration of FMLA leave became defunct because the effective date on the forms expired without the U.S. Department of Labor issuing a replacement form. Well, we’re pleased to report that it’s now time to discard those old forms. The […]