Blog

• New Ruling Impacts Child Support for Children over 18

  November 17, 2016

  (November 17, 2016) In a published opinion, the Michigan Court of Appeals has clarified the meaning of “full-time basis” for child support after a child’s 18th birthday.  In Weaver v Giffels, the Court of Appeals reversed a ruling by a Kalamazoo Circuit Court Judge which allowed child support beyond a child’s 18th birthday under the […]

• Law firm targets client experience

  November 15, 2016

  “Because of the internet, Smith said, potential clients are more educated about the legal world and are expecting not only competency, but a well-rounded experience”

• Rhoades McKee ‘drills deeply’ into intensifying client-centered focus

  November 14, 2016

  “On a day-to-day basis you’re focused on client matters and the internal fundamentals of making a business this big succeed.”

• Reduce Risk While Raising Equity

  November 7, 2016

  (November 8, 2016) In the last blog post, we talked about senior debt as the primary source of development funds. Unfortunately for developers, senior debt is rarely sufficient to fund the entire project, and the next most common source of funding after senior debt is equity. Senior lenders will not close on the senior loan […]

• Opinion Highlights Danger of Vicarious Liability based on Teaching Contracts with Non-Employed Physicians

  November 1, 2016

  (November 1, 2016) In a recent unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s decision granting partial summary disposition in favor of defendant Oakwood Healthcare on the plaintiff’s claim of vicarious liability based on the conduct of on-call surgeon Alice Shanaver, DO.  Thomas v Oakwood Healthcare (COA Docket No. 326072).  The plaintiff’s claims […]

• Webinar: How to Attract Talent and Not Get Sued

  October 26, 2016

  West Michigan’s resurgent economy presents expanding opportunities for companies.  At the same time, with more jobs available than there are qualified employees to fill them, current employers need to understand how to protect themselves when their employees decide to take a new job with a competitor, and prospective employers need to know their exposure when […]

• Hi, Boss! I’m the Employee You Didn’t Hire

  October 20, 2016

  (October 20, 2016) In the past decade, employers have explored numerous ways to trim the number of employees on staff. While much of the trimming has been necessary due to automation and productivity gains, some of it has been driven by the desire to avoid statutory mandates that are triggered by certain thresholds such as […]

• Attorneys warn of increase in IRS scams

  October 18, 2016

  “A rash of IRS scams has transpired recently, and two area attorneys said a new law going into effect in spring 2017 could make it harder for taxpayers to know if they are being targeted by a scammer.”

• Playground flooring sheds light on implied warranties

  October 13, 2016

  (October 13, 2016) The implied warranty of merchantability requires that goods reasonably conform to an ordinary buyer’s expectations.  However, many contracts disclaim implied warranties in the terms and conditions section. The Kent County Specialized Business Docket (“Business Court”) recently addressed the issue of disclaiming implied warranties in Noble Polymers LLC v Hanover Specialties Inc. In […]

• Break Ground Using Senior Debt

  October 11, 2016

  (October 11, 2016) Real estate development generally is very capital-intensive and most developments are funded by a mix of capital types and sources.  Senior debt is usually the greatest percentage of the capital stack in real estate development,  and typically takes the form of a construction-to-permanent loan.  If the developer has not already acquired the […]