Publications for Business Law

A general understanding of the litigation process can help relieve some of that anxiety. This article is a general outline of the litigation process in case you find yourself in a situation where you have been sued or you need to sue someone else.

The Grand Rapids Business Journal picked up shareholder Jonathan J. David's article on estate planning for small business. This column covered the main points from David's new ebook along with some tips for business owners on sucession planning. 

In the last three years, growth of foreign expats working in Shanghai has declined to only about 1/10 the average annual growth of the last twelve year. Businesses are leaving and expats are being replaced by low-cost local staff alternatives.

Will your standard terms and conditions win in a battle of forms? Do you have standard terms and conditions at all?

Intellectual property (“IP”) rights can be the cornerstone of a business's value and competitive edge. IP rights are generally grouped into four categories: trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. 

A good warranty can also be good advertising, and the difference between customers buying your product or your competitor’s may come down to who has the better warranty. It can be tempting to give your warranty a label that sounds better than your competitors, but did you know that how you label your warranties is governed by federal law? 

Two studies conducted recently resulted in data-driven articles that shed greater light on the issue of when, and why, courts accept veil piercing arguments.

Changes in Technology and the Law Require Some Employers to Revise Internet and Social Media Policies.

Check fraud can harm your business by causing cash flow problems, burdensome fraud investigations, and even unreimbursed financial losses.

Michigan's highly successful Clean Corporate Citizen program has received new and added emphasis. The Michigan Legislature passed legislation to organize and enlarge benefits provided to Michigan businesses that exercise environmental stewardship.

Foreign investors who may not satisfy the requirements for an EB-5 Immigrant Visa (, should consider applying for an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa.

Recent changes to Michigan's Limited Liability Company Act made by Public Act No. 290 of 2010 may affect your limited liability company. 

Nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements are required to comply, in writing, with the highly technical rules of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Section 409A") effective as of January 1, 2009.

Employers who wish to review social media or employees’ personal web sites should have a policy in place informing employees that the company has a right to monitor employee use of the systems.

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), an employer who adopts or agrees to participate in a qualified pension plan is required to make ongoing pension contributions to the pension fund.

Several years ago, Congress permitted S corporations to sponsor employee stock ownership plans ("ESOPs").

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has unveiled Michigan Business One Stop, a new program that will provide businesses in Michigan with a single source for business services.