Publications

• 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 […]

• Court Enforces Shareholder Valuation Agreement

  October 18, 2019

  Shareholders who want to avoid protracted litigation over shareholder rights and valuation can specify a valuation protocol in their operative agreements – including a forced redemption on termination of employment of a shareholder for any reason – and the courts will enforce the resulting purchase price. In its October 1, 2019 decision in Niewiek v […]

• DOL Announces Rule Increasing Minimum Salary Level

  September 25, 2019

  On September 24, 2019, the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final rule updating the minimum salary level required to be paid to employees classified as executive, administrative or professional employees. The rule updates the salary level of $23,660 that had been in effect since 2004 to a new level of $35,568 per year […]

• Renew Your Michigan Hemp Registration or License

  August 21, 2019

  In Michigan, industrial hemp and products manufactured therefrom are regulated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (“MDARD”). Earlier this year, MDARD issued licenses permitting the manufacture, processing, and sale of hemp-based products on a temporary basis as the Department developed the “state industrial hemp plan” (the “IHP Plan”) required by last year’s […]

• Legal Documents Every College Student Should Have

  August 5, 2019

  As fall quickly approaches, my oldest child will soon be leaving for college.  We have begun the process of packing and I have learned that the typical college-bound student’s packing list will include “essential items” such as a mini fridge, laptop computer, cell phone, clothes, and shower shoes.  There is one other item that I, […]

• New Resource Available for Michigan Hemp Producers

  June 17, 2019

  A new resource is available to anyone interested in taking advantage of recent changes in the law regarding the growth, production and sale of hemp products in Michigan. On June 12, 2019, Michigan’s Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (“MDARD”) issued an electronic update publicizing the Michigan State University (“MSU”) Extension Bulletin E3402 entitled Industrial […]

• Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Next Friend Appointments

  June 6, 2019

  The Michigan Court of Appeals recently published an opinion addressing “whether a lawsuit, timely filed by or on behalf of a minor plaintiff, is defective and invalid until the trial court formally appoints a next friend for the minor.”  Estate of Olin v Mercy Health (Docket Nos: 341523; 342937).  The Michigan Court Rules require the […]

• Ruling Defines “Issued” Date for Letters of Authority in Wrongful Death Cases

  May 20, 2019

  In an opinion published on May 14, 2019, the Michigan Court of Appeals clarified when letters of authority are “issued” to a personal representative for purposes of determining the running of the two year period of limitation provided by the wrongful death savings provision of MCL 600.5852.  Estate of Jesse v Lakeland Specialty Hospital (Docket […]