Publications

• How Does Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order Impact Family Law?

  March 24, 2020

  Yesterday, Michigan families were preparing to comply and adapt to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21 (“Stay Home, Stay Safe”).  The Michigan Supreme Court issued a Statement, and the State Bar of Michigan also issued an Advisory regarding the impact on divorce and family law.  To assist you in understanding how you are impacted, we have […]

• Employers: Navigate the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

  March 24, 2020

  Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) to help employers and workers to address the challenges of the COVID-19 Outbreak. Because circumstances have changed so quickly with the introduction of government-ordered shelter-in-place directives to workers and employers, it is not clear how well all of its parts function together.  We will focus […]

• Understanding Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order for Michigan

  March 23, 2020

  Today, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-21, which takes effect tomorrow, March 24, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. The Executive Order, which is to be “construed broadly to prohibit in-person work that is not necessary to sustain or protect life,” mandates the following: All businesses must suspend operations if they require workers to leave their homes […]

• Administering a Special Needs Trust

  March 22, 2020

  When a special needs trust is needed, careful consideration should be given so beneficiaries who also are receiving government benefits are not impacted by an inheritance. A special needs trust provides for the beneficiary’s discretionary needs in a manner that is intended to avoid disqualification from government benefit programs.  So, properly administering a special needs […]

• Workplace Issues Prompted By The COVID-19 Pandemic

  March 12, 2020

  The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has prompted extraordinary public and governmental response, and with it, many practical questions for employers.  We are not medical doctors, and there is an abundance of advice available on-line about common-sense measures employers and employees can and should take to reduce the chance of exposure.  We also know that the […]

• I Dissent! How to Exercise Dissenter’s Rights Under Michigan Law

  March 1, 2020

  A shareholder has the right to receive fair value for his or her shares in the event of certain corporate transactions, such as a merger or sale of assets, by exercising dissenter’s rights.  But in order to exercise your right to dissent and obtain that fair value, you must follow the specific requirements of Michigan […]

• Court of Appeals Expands Scope of Amendments of Affidavits of Merit

  February 20, 2020

  Recently, The Michigan Court of Appeals published a 2-1 opinion addressing whether filing an affidavit of merit (AOM) signed by a new expert in a different specialty constitutes an “amendment” under MCR 2.112(L)(2)(b) in a medical malpractice action.  Legion-London v Crawford (Docket No. 344838).  MCR 2.112(L)(2)(b) requires that “all challenges to an affidavit of merit […]

• Does Your FIFRA Cost-Share Agreement Avoid Risk?

  January 23, 2020

  Any agreement that does not fully contemplate relevant regulations has the potential to expose parties to risk and leave money on the table. This is especially true for cost-share agreements regarding pesticide data development. Scientific data supporting pesticide registrations is highly proprietary and expensive. Protecting registrants’ investments is paramount, especially when the data is collectively […]

• Starting the Year off Right

  January 22, 2020

  Welcome to a new decade! (Or is it?) The start of a new year always presents a good opportunity to reflect on the year that was. Looking back at 2019, the Rhoades McKee Commercial Litigation Group was privileged to represent a wide range of clients, each with their own unique legal issues and challenges. We […]

• The New Salary Requirements: Understand the Options and Liability

  October 21, 2019

  Tips for Employees to Avoid Disaster As we reported in September, the Department of Labor has issued final rules increasing the minimum annual salary level paid to over-time exempt administrative, executive and professional employees from $23,660 to $35,568. In terms of weekly pay, the increase is from $455 per week to $684 per week. This […]