Blogs
We are experienced attorneys offering innovative and collaborative legal solutions that grow businesses and banks, expand churches, and build nonprofit organizations. Our blog features insight into recent case decisions, advice for budding entrepreneurs and established leaders, as well as commentary on other aspects of the legal profession that we find interesting. Welcome. Please let us know what you think.
Land-Use Cases against Municipalities in Federal Court are not Futile!
Traditionally, one of the highest hurdles that land use plaintiffs needed to clear to successfully contest land-use decisions in federal court was the requirement that a municipal decision-maker render a final decision on an application by a plaintiff to develop…
Michigan Public Service Commission Instructions for Siting Large Scale Renewable Energy Projects
About a month ago in mid-October, the Michigan Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) published comments on procedures which will be used to implement Public Act 233 of 2023 (“PA 233”). PA 233 gives MPSC siting authority over large-scale energy projects and…
Giving Thanks – for an Easement
The Plymouth Colony had survived its first grueling winter, and the pilgrims struggled to find their rhythm. They made it through harsh days by looking forward to the harvest season, living a delicate balance between hunger, hope, and hard-won survival. …
“Get it in writing” is not a suggestion!
In the first blog of this series, we stressed the many reasons an express easement needs to be in writing. One of those is because it conveys an interest in property, so it is subject to the statute of frauds. …
Give Now, Save later—The Fast-Approaching Expiration of Federal Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions
Benjamin Franklin once wrote that “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” While we might want to argue with Mr. Franklin and attempt to add a few more items to that short and depressing list, he is driving at something…
Challenging Land Development: Understanding Variances in Michigan Zoning Law
Land development projects can involve a variety of issues that may form valid reasons for contesting such proposals. Often times, land use and zoning applications ask for modifications and exceptions to existing property regulations. For example, a property owner may…
Michigan's New Renewable Energy Siting Rules Set to Take Effect on November 29, 2024
Michigan is entering a new era in renewable energy development as the state prepares to implement standardized rules for siting large-scale solar and wind projects. The changes, which take effect November 29, 2024, mark a significant shift from the previous…
What is a keyholing ordinance?
If you own waterfront property, you may have heard of the phenomenon known as “keyholing” or “funneling.” Keyholing is when multiple backlot owners gain access to a body of water from a single waterfront lot. In some cases, this can…
Confused about Cy Pres? You are not alone.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the old and often forgotten doctrine of cy pres which allows court to alter the material purposes for which a trust is created under certain conditions. There, I suggested that courts were ever…
LICENSE v. EASEMENT REVISITED
In these weekly easement blogs, we have explored how a license to use someone’s property differs from an easement. A license grants permission to use another’s property for a specified purpose, but it does not convey any interest in the…
Everything Changes on January 20 – At least at the CFPB
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as we’ve discussed here before, has been extremely active during the Biden Administration. It has aggressively tackled several areas perceived by many as beyond its core mission and purpose—small business lending, mortgage servicing, land contracts,…
Important Legal Changes Coming for Michigan Businesses in 2025: What You Need to Know Now
As Michigan businesses prepare for 2025, several state and federal legal changes with associated deadlines are on the horizon that will significantly impact operations, payroll, and compliance requirements. From increases in overtime thresholds to revamped minimum wage structures and expanded…
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