State, Federal, and Appellate Courts

• 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 […]

• 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 […]

• Court of Appeals Maintains Status Quo: Crego v McLean

  April 23, 2019

  Crego MD vs. DO Ruling The Michigan Court of Appeals released its long anticipated published opinion in Crego v McLean on April 16, 2019.  The issue presented in Crego was whether an allopathic physician (i.e. M.D.) is qualified to testify regarding the standard of care applicable to an osteopathic physician (i.e. D.O.) under MCL 600.2169(1)(b)(i).  […]

• Exploring Key Considerations for Option Contracts

  March 11, 2019

  It’s good to know your options.  You don’t want chips with your sandwich? You’ll be happy to know you have the option to substitute fries (or fruit, for those more health conscious). You want a heated steering wheel, touchscreen navigation, and the DVD system in your SUV? You’re in luck. Those options can all be […]

• Shareholder Oppression: Will You “Know It When You See It?”

  February 14, 2019

  A US Supreme Court Justice once famously stated that, while he might not be able to intelligently define what qualifies as obscene or pornographic, “I know it when I see it.”1 Many advisors and owners say the same thing about “shareholder oppression.”  They might not know the exact definition of “shareholder oppression,” but they claim […]

• Res Ipsa Loquitur Applies in Premises Liability Cases

  January 31, 2019

  In October of 2014, John Pugno, a Rhoades McKee client represented by Stephen Hulst, was injured when a stack of heavy cardboard fell on top of him while he was walking through Blue Harvest Farms’ facility.  Blue Harvest created the stack of cardboard that measured over 14 feet high and weighed over 1,000 pounds. Blue […]

• Two Weeks Down, Fifty More to Go!

  January 16, 2019

  We are off and running in 2019! As we begin the third workweek of 2019 and gear up for the remainder of the year, our Commercial Litigation Team at Rhoades McKee wants to take a moment to say “THANK YOU” for referring and recommending our team to your clients and contacts. We truly appreciate the trust you place […]

• Court Ruling Lacks Direction on Ordinary Negligence and Malpractice Claims

  July 30, 2018

  On July 23, 2018, the Michigan Supreme Court released its opinion in Trowell v Providence Hospital (Docket No. 154476) addressing whether the plaintiff’s claims are sounded in ordinary negligence or medical malpractice.  If a claim sounds in ordinary negligence or malpractice is often a critical issue as ordinary negligence claims are not subject to the […]

• Why First Impressions Matter in Business Valuation Litigation

  April 26, 2018

  In a business-divorce case or marital divorce case involving a business, each side typically hires an expert to provide the court or jury with an opinion as to the value of the business. Depending on a party’s position, their expert will seek to establish as high or low a value as possible. For example, a […]