Business owners and individuals should be concerned with protecting their brand identity, which means taking active steps to protect their trademark. The best avenue of protection is Federal Registration of the business or individual’s trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The right to use a trademark does not come from Federal Registration, instead, the first business or individual to use a distinctive trademark in commerce has the […]

When evaluating the worth of a company, it is important to recognize the value of all assets and liabilities in determining the company’s value.  However, most overlooked are the intangibles – that is, assets that do not have a physical shape, but nonetheless contribute to the earning power of the company.  The true value of a company is its ability to generate earnings and earnings are a function of the […]

CMDA is honored and appreciative for the trust our clients have placed in our Firm since 1965.  As a way to give back to the community as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, every month throughout 2015 the Firm will be donating 50 items (or more) to a local charity. In July, we are collecting food and supplies for PBJ Outreach, Inc., which is a non-profit organization focused on feeding and clothing the […]

On June 30, 2015, Governor Rick Snyder signed HB 4052 into law which stops local governments from adopting, administering or enforcing future ordinances or policies that require local businesses to pay wages, fringe benefits or leave time that exceed State or Federal requirements. The bill will take effect on September 28, 2015. Currently, Michigan’s minimum wage is $8.15 per hour which will rise to $8.50 per hour on January 1, […]

Thank you to clients and friends for attending CMDA’s 50th Anniversary Client Appreciation Event on Thursday, June 25 at the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College.  We enjoyed catching up with clients, reminiscing with former employees, and showing our appreciation to each and every client who has put their trust in us over the past 50 years.

MICHIGAN CASE LAW UPDATE Sterrett v. Heather Cowan and several employees of the University of Michigan, sued in their personal and official capacities 85 F. Supp. 3d.916 (February 4, 2015) This case involves a University of Michigan student (now suspended) who sued several officials employed by the University after he was suspended for violating the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. The facts reveal that the Plaintiff was a freshman in the […]

Join us as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary Thursday, June 25, 2015 • 4-7 pm VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College 18600 Haggerty Road • Livonia, Michigan Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. We look forward to celebrating with you! Kindly submit the registration form below by June 24, 2015. [Form id=”13″]

Check it out!  An article on CMDA’s 50th anniversary is featured in the May 28, 2015 edition of the Livonia Observer.

Under the American legal system, there is no realm of human activity that fails to spawn litigation. The financial cost of a potential judgment is easily recognized. Less understood is the cost of time, energy, and resources (financial and human) of the litigation process itself. Even the defendant who avoids judgment by “winning” his case will still have expended resources that the law generally affords no avenue to recover. The […]

The U.S. Department of Education issued for public comment a college ratings system framework. The proposed system will rely upon broad categories that highlight particular institutional successes and weaknesses employing metrics that might include: percentage of students receiving Pell Grants; average net cost of attendance; and completion rates, among others. The system proposed would group institutions for comparison purposes according to whether they grant two-year or four-year degrees.