Curt Benson, an attorney in our Grand Rapids office, hosts a popular syndicated radio program, The Lawyers, which airs on Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM.  On the program, Mr. Benson interviews professors, judges, lawyers and lawmakers on legal issues in the news. He recently sat down with Gene Richards, a partner in our Livonia office, to discuss a variety of estate planning and elder law issues, legal updates, and […]

They say “laughter is the best medicine,” and it’s true. Studies show that laughing boosts immunity, eases anxiety and stress, improves mood, and decreases pain. Socially, laughing strengthens relationships. In addition to the value of humor in our personal lives, we cannot underestimate the power of humor at work. Humor increases our ability to persuade others and helps us diffuse conflict. In simple terms: laughing feels good, and because of […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office, was quoted in the latest issue of the New York Times publication Law360 Magazine regarding the legal aspects of the NFL player protests taking place during the national anthem.  While NFL rules may empower the league and its teams to punish players for actions the league and teams don’t like, there are federal, state and local laws, as well as individual contracts […]

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed into law an amendment to the Governmental Liability for Negligence Act. MCL 691.1402a. This statute describes the extent of municipal duties and liability in claims relating to sidewalk maintenance. Municipalities are required to maintain sidewalks in reasonable repair and are not liable for the failure to maintain sidewalks unless a plaintiff proves the municipality knew, or should have known, of the defective sidewalk more […]

Greg Grant of the Traverse City office recently obtained a no cause of action verdict in an excessive force trial in federal court.  Mr. Grant represented four corrections officers whom the plaintiff alleged used excessive force against him while he was inmate in a Michigan county jail.  Specifically, the plaintiff claimed that he was maced twice and tasered twice while locked in his cell. The evidence at trial demonstrated that […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office represents more than former Detroit Lions and ex-UM players. In fact, he represents more ex-Ohio State players than any other school and has handled matters for six former OSU All-Americans, ranging from contracts, employment agreements, to litigation. Tom Skladany, 3 time All American at OSU (1974-76) and a former President of the NFL Alumni Association as well as Ohio State Football Alumni […]

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has changed the overtime rules for certain salaried workers, which will be applicable to Michigan employers.  The changes are to be implemented on December 1, 2016.  Michigan business owners need to start planning now in order to avoid scrambling in November.  Many Michigan closely held businesses classify salaried employees as being exempt from the overtime rules as a means of controlling payroll costs.  An […]

CASE LAW UPDATE The following Case Law Update summarizes a recent important case.  It is provide to help clients stay up-to-date on recent case law developments in education law. For further information, please contact Patrick Sturdy. City of Fraser v. Alameda University January 14, 2016;  2016 WL 166023 In this matter, the City of Fraser filed suit against Alameda University for violating the Michigan Authentic Credentials in Education Act, MCL […]

Jim Acho, a senior attorney in our Livonia office, was interviewed by Law360 Magazine regarding the Tom Brady Deflategate issue and professional athletes’ options in federal court. The article, Even in Deflategate Pro Athletes’ Court Protection Limited, outlines how federal courts have recently played a large role in professional athletes’ employee disputes as NFL players Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson have both appealed league discipline to the courts. Brady is […]

The Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter providing guidance on competency-based education programs and addressing the differences between direct assessment and credit hour competency-based education, requirements for establishing credit hour equivalencies, and the role of accrediting agencies, among other issues.