Newsletters & Publications
Recently Authored
In sports, it is often said that, “The best offense is a good defense.” This adage holds true not only on the field of play, but also in business and in life.
The IRS recently issued proposed regulations that would expand the availability of hardship distributions under 401(k) and 403(b) plans (the “Proposed Regulations”). The Proposed Regulations reflect the changes that were implemented by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (the “Act”), and address many of the questions that were left unanswered by the Act.
As the end of the year approaches, the increase in online activities creates a ripe opportunity for hackers to gain access to your computers, networks and personal information.
If passed, Michigan Senate Bill 637 will create the Small Wireless Communications Facilities Deployment Act (the Act.)
Over the course of the coming months, we will be publishing a series of articles that discuss some of the common real estate, finance, and corporate issues that our clients face on a day-to-day basis.
In late August, an 18-month long lawsuit against Almer and Ellington Townships ("the Townships"), which was brought by a subsidiary of wind energy giant NextEra Energy Resources LLC (“NextEra”), was dismissed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, North Division.
Libraries across Michigan, and across the country, are tasked with striking a tricky balance: ensuring that citizens’ constitutionally-protected rights to use library resources are protected, while creating a safe, orderly and non-disruptive environment for patrons and staff.
On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, the Marihuana Legalization Initiative*.
In an unpublished opinion released on October 30, 2018, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a local zoning ordinance cannot prohibit medical marijuana caregivers from cultivating marijuana as a “home occupation.” Charter Twp of Ypsilanti v Pontius, Court of Appeals Docket No. 340487 (Oct. 30, 2018).
The purpose of bankruptcy is twofold: (1) to provide the party filing for bankruptcy—the “debtor”—with a fresh start, and (2) to fairly distribute the debtor’s non-exempt assets to creditors in accordance with the priority scheme set forth in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) could require you to follow certain regulations as to your hours-of-service, including the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule.
Drones have quickly become popular and their use has rapidly expanded throughout the U.S.
Is it time for your first meeting with an estate planning attorney? We understand that the initial meeting with an estate planning attorney can be a stressful event.
IRC 642(c) Plans, referred to as “Pooled Income Funds” offer unique ways for participants to utilize tax favored deferred compensation.
A. Summary of the New Rules
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ("Act") includes three provisions that expand the availability of hardship distributions under a qualified retirement plan, each of which is described below.
An employee handbook is an important tool that employers use to communicate with employees about important workplace issues and can serve as an excellent defense to claims.
It can be hard enough for an employer to understand its obligations under state workers’ compensation laws. But it can be downright overwhelming when the myriad of other state and federal statutes, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, also come into play.
In May 2017, the City of Detroit announced its intention to implement a city-wide effort to enforce tougher rental ordinance rules on landlords, including demanding that rental properties be registered and brought into compliance.
Under various statutes, certain types of property, owned by certain entities, and used for certain purposes, are exempt from paying property taxes in Michigan. But there is an exception to this exemption meant to address situations where the property is exempt based on ownership, but is leased to a non-exempt entity.
Most municipalities own at least some real property and often such property is underutilized. An effective way for a municipality to monetize that asset, and raise extra revenue, is to lease the property to a tenant.
The Michigan Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) is meant to enhance transparency, but its application is not always straightforward. Often, violations of the OMA are not intentional, but rather occur due to lack of knowledge about the law’s requirements.
Looking to enhance business productivity and performance? This article addresses the best practices involved in holding great meetings.
We are fielding questions from companies about who they can talk to about the impact of the increase in tariffs on their business (whether that is increase in US tariffs on imports or increases in foreign tariffs on US exports).
Acquiring Michigan agricultural property involves a number of legal issues. One that should be addressed with an attorney is the effect of the acquisition on the qualified agricultural property exemption (“Ag Exemption”).
If you have someone work for you, then you, the employer, need to determine whether you have hired an “independent contractor” or an “employee.” “Classification” is the term employment lawyers use to sort out whether the worker is an employee or an independent contractor.
Tractors, trucks and other vehicles used by the farmers working their fields must, like all vehicles traveling on public roads, be registered and have some form of identification.
On June 21, the United States Supreme Court reversed a 26-year old precedent set in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota ("Quill") by holding that businesses without a physical presence in a state may be subject to sales tax as a result of making sales into the state.
Michigan has the second longest coastline in the United States trailing only the state of Alaska. With the hot summer months quickly approaching, Michigan’s expansive coastline (including inland shorelines) will be taken over by beachgoers.
While Minnesota is well known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," the State of Michigan could also claim that title as it contains more than 11,000 inland lakes. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation notes that anyone living in Michigan is never more than six miles away from a lake or stream.
On June 6, 2018, the Michigan legislature voted to repeal Michigan’s prevailing wage law, which required union scale wages on public construction projects.
