Contract Validity and Enforceability: Was Jabba the Hutt in the wrong?
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… a less-than-reputable cargo transporter known as Han Solo had a debt to pay. Han Solo was hired by Jabba the Hutt, a less-than-reputable businessman, to transport “spices” across the galaxy, but Han Solo failed to deliver the goods. Jabba lost a considerable sum of money on this arrangement and put a hefty bounty on Han Solo’s head. Was this Jabba’s only option?
read more...U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against LGBT Employment Discrimination
The United States Supreme Court significantly expanded civil rights protections for LGBT employees on Monday, June 15, 2020, when it published its opinion in Bostock v Clayton County, Georgia, 590 U.S. __(2020). Before handing down its opinion, the Court heard oral arguments from the three cases at issue on October 8, 2019
read more...Resumption of Manufacturing Work
Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-77 to extend the duration of the stay-at-home order until May 28, 2020; however, the Executive Order does allow previously suspended manufacturing activities to resume on May 11, 2020, subject to certain minimum safety requirements. This blog describes these safety requirements that manufacturers must follow as to resume business.
read more...Remote Notarization and Witnessing for Estate Planning, Real Estate Closings, and Other Transactions
Remote Signatures for Estate Planning, Deeds, and Other Transactions Last night (April 8, 2020), Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020–41 allowing the use of electronic signatures, remote notarizations, and remote witnessing. Executive Order 2020-41 is effective immediately and continues through…
read more...Loan Assistance for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening their Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP“) to applications beginning April 3, 2020. This program allows employers to receive up to $10 million in low interest loans to cover the cost of two months of…
read more...Expanding Paid Family and Medical Leave Due to COVID-19: What Employers and Employees Need to Know
Federal Expansion to Paid Family and Medical Leave under the FFCRA The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA“) is new federal legislation that expands paid sick leave and family/medical leave in response to the drastic changes in the workforce…
read more...Employer Guidelines under Governor Whitmer’s “Stay at Home” Order
Employer Guidelines under Governor Whitmer’s “Stay-at-Home” Order Under Governor Whitmer’ Executive Order 2020-21, it is a misdemeanor to continue business operations in Michigan until April 13, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless one of the following applies: The work can…
read more...Local Court Responses to COVID-19
STATE AND LOCAL COURT RESPONSES TO COVID-19 MICHIGAN St Joseph County Courts Declaration of Emergency March 17, 2020 Courts are closed until Friday, May 1, 2020. 45th Circuit Court 3B District Court St Joseph County Probate/Family Court Only…
read more...COVID-19 Disaster Loan Assistance
On March 6, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb declared a public health emergency under Executive Order No. 2020-2, and on March 10, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency under Executive Order No. 2020-4, both in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the country. You may qualify for disaster loan assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) if your business has suffered economic loss as a result of the pandemic.
read more...New Requirements in Store for Michigan Employers in 2019
On September 5, 2018, the Michigan legislature adopted both the Improved Opportunity Wage Act (the “Wage Act”) and Earned Sick Time Act in response to two separate ballot initiatives that had been presented to the legislature for consideration (collectively referred to as the “Initiatives”).
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