Insights & News

Succession Planning for Small Businesses:  Sustaining Your Legacy and the Importance of Planning

QUESTION:  I discovered that one of my front office staff has been calling in controlled substance prescriptions for herself using my DEA and Controlled Substance License numbers. Should I terminate her employment?  Do I have a duty to report her to the authorities?  Should I try to get the unused pills back or take any other action?

Tax Court Rules Royalty Income from Popular Author’s “Brand” is Subject to Self-Employment Tax

More and more medical practices are learning the hard way that the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule must be implemented.  The first version of the Security Rule became effective in 2005 and has since been amended.  Generally, there are two parts that every medical practice must comply with.

U.S. Visa Applicants Must Now Submit Social Media Information The U.S. Department of State is now requiring most U.S. visa applicants to provide information about their social media accounts. As of May 31, applicants must provide the social media platforms, user names, email addresses and phone numbers they have used for the five years preceding the application. For non-immigrant visa applicants, this information is collected on the DS-160, prior to scheduling a Consulate appointment. For those applying for an immigrant visa, the additional queries have been added to the DS-260.

Question 1:  There are several dentists in my practice.  We all cover for each other.  From time to time we see almost all the patients of the practice.  Why should it matter which dentist is identified as the one who provided a service when all the money we are owed is paid to the practice?  We are not required to separately identify who the hygienists and assistants are who provide services and we bill for their services, why shouldn’t a single dentist be able to bill for all the practice’s services?    Question 2:  Laws aimed at "surprise medical billing" have been in the press lately.  What is surprise medical billing?  Could this apply to dentistry? Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (June 2019)

Attorney John D. Gatti discusses the impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is having on businesses.  The full article, "The Buck Stops Here," in Corp! Magazine can be found HERE.

Michigan Supreme Court Says Collective Bargaining Agreement Does Not Provide Lifetime Health Care Benefits to Macomb County Retirees.

The recent changes to the Michigan No-Fault Act have been publicized as changes affecting medical coverage and insurance premium rates but the actual enacted changes in the law go well beyond what has been in the media. There are many unanswered questions that arise from the 120-page bill signed by Governor Whitmer on May 30, 2019. The changes impact: Driver premiums; Medical provider fees; The viability and availability of healthcare providers for injured victims; Litigation in the context of claims for the insured (PIP coverage); and Penalties for false claims.

Intellectual property rights are necessary for the music business.  Listen HERE to the discussion on the Detroit podcast, "The Business of the Music Business."

Attorneys Daniel J. Ferris and Derek R. Boyd address the question, "Can my client sue my expert,"  citing how the Michigan Court of Appeals addresses witness immunity doctrine. Michigan Defense Quarterly, the official journal of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (Volume 35, No. 4)

Michigan Medicine, the official magazine of the Michigan State Medical Society (May/June 2019) Question:  Can you advise us of the ways to report illegal and unethical conduct?

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (May 2019) Question: One of my employees recently tested positive for THC, indicating marijuana use. The drug screen was administered to this employee due to our employee manual provision requiring that employees submit to random drug screens. Our employee manual also provides that we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the use of marijuana and other illegal drugs. I consider marijuana to be illegal despite what Michigan voters did last year, because marijuana is still illegal under federal law. When confronted with the test results, this employee showed me her medical marijuana card and said I couldn't terminate her. Is this true?

Kudos to Kerr Russell member James DeLine who served as editor of the recently published Antitrust Class Action Handbook (2nd edition), published by the American Bar Association.

Patrick J. Haddad and Kathleen A. Westfall co-authored article "Michigan Legislation and Administrative Rules Affecting the Prescribing of Controlled Substances:  One Year Later," was recently published in the Oakland County Medical Society March/April Bulletin. The one-year anniversary of the effective date of the first phase of Michigan’s 2017 legislation combating the state’s opioid crisis is soon approaching.  This article furnishes a high-level summary of the Michigan legislation and recently promulgated administrative rules, their effective dates and other guidance.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently announced that it resumed the availability of Premium Processing for all types of H-1B petitions. In August 2018, as an effort to reduce its significant backlog, USCIS suspended Premium Processing for all H1B petitions other than those filed by cap-exempt employers or filed to request an extension without a change in employer or position.

Local attorneys say delays for visa petitions for foreign national workers are putting businesses in a bind. Tougher scrutiny by immigration officials of foreign workers seeking visas is tying the hands of businesses trying to fill high-skill jobs, local immigration attorneys say. Visa petitions are requiring more documentation, and delays and denials are on the rise.

Michigan’s paid sick-time measure, the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (the “Act”) will go into effect this March. The Act, signed by Governor Snyder on December 14, 2018, provides 40 hours annually of paid sick time to eligible employees who work for employers with 50 or more employees.

Potential Changes to Fiscal Year 2020 H-1B Cap Filings On November 30, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued a proposed rule that would require pre-registration for employers wishing to sponsor individuals for H-1B status. Additionally, the proposal would change the manner in which USCIS counts H-1B filings toward the cap. The proposal is open for public comments until January 2, 2019.

Patrick Haddad and Kathleen Westfall Co-Author Article to be published in Oakland County Medical Society Publication entitled: "New Michigan Administrative Rules: Bona Fide Prescriber-Patient Relationships and Controlled Substances Awareness Training"

On Tuesday, November 6th, Michigan residents voted yes on Proposal 1, the “Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act,” which permits individuals over the age of 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, among other things.*

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (August 2018) - Question: I frequently prescribe opioids following procedures in my practice. Can you explain the new requirements on opioid prescribing that recently took effect?

What do you do when you know you need to network and market yourself but the introvert within says, “Uh, maybe later”? On August 9, 2018, Kerr Russell Director of Marketing Roy Sexton presented strategies for embracing your qualities as an introvert (or for those occasions when you aspire to introversion!) and establishing and maintaining a successful personal brand, both online and in person.

Kerr Russell attorney Jeffrey May (litigation, cybersecurity) is quoted in the article "Inside Job: Cybersecurity requires care, vigilance by all," written by J.D. Booth for Corp! Magazine.

Kudos to Kerr Russell member Eric Lark who is featured in the latest issueof Captive Insurance Times, pages 48-50. Our ad appears on page 5. Thank you to Ned Holmes, Jonathan Savage, Justin J. Lawson, for the opportunity. We will be doing a similar feature on Kerr Russell’s Patrick Haddad in upcoming months with the magazine.

As authored by Kerr Russell's Director of Marketing Roy Sexton for the Legal Marketing Association's Strategies Magazine - excerpt from "Tech Thoughts From a Long-Time Marketer in a First-Year Role" ...

Kerr Russell associate Cody Attisha (taxation) contributes the article "Choice-of-Entity in a New Business Landscape" to Corp! Magazine's July/August 2018 issue. Member John Gatti (taxation) collaborated with Cody on the piece.

Mark Knoth, Kerr Russell member (labor and employment), is featured in the July/August Corp! Magazine article "Leaders Under Legal Scrutiny." Excerpt: "Knoth says there is a 50 to 55 percent chance that a sexual harassment case may be dismissed by a judge, but if it goes to trial, it can be very expensive for the company, both in terms of financial cost and bad publicity. Employee practices liability insurance may cover some costs. The increase in sexual harassment cases has legitimized the role of the human resource department and the importance of full background checks for prospective employees, Knoth notes."

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (July 2018) - QUESTION: I have practiced with a partner for several years. We are the only shareholders in a professional corporation. We never put in place employment agreements, a shareholder agreement, or any other contracts between us or the PC. We recently have had disagreements regarding the operating of the practice. My partner has now notified me that he is going to break off on his own. He has set up a new practice a mile away, has notified patients that their records will be transferred to this new location and that he will continue treating them there.   Can my partner just pick up and leave, taking the dental records and patients with him?

In the July/August issue of DBusiness Magazine, Kerr Russell real estate attorneys Brandy Mathie and Anna Valk contribute to the Q&A section: "Expert Advice Can Help You Protect Your Property Investment."

Early in my career, I handled asylum cases for two women who fled to the United States because they had been abused by their husbands and feared further harm. They were the only asylum cases I ever handled. Each won her claim, and I am hopeful that they are now U.S. citizens, living happy, productive, safe lives in the country that opened its arms to them when they were most afraid.

The last few weeks have brought an incredible amount of content concerning the separation of families happening at the border under the current administration's zero tolerance immigration policy and the lack of planning concerning a resolution for those families that were separated prior to the signing of the recent Executive Order.

Kudos to Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd whose article “Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs," was picked up by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Bulletin: Oakland County Medical Society (June/July 2018) - The first six months of 2018 has seen a flurry of legislative developments affecting the practice of the health professions in Michigan. Early in the year, significant legislation affecting the prescribing of controlled substances generally, and opioids in particular, became law.

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (June 2018) -  Question: I recently told a supplier of dental products that I was terminating my contract with them. I did so because I found another supplier who has a better reputation for service and lower prices. I was surprised to receive an invoice from my former supplier in the amount of $2,875.00 for “termination fees”. When I called to complain I was told that these fees were called for in my contact. Why am I being charged to move my business to a better supplier? Is this legal?

Negotiating Uncertainty: Legal Options for Manufacturers Confronting Tariffs," written by Kerr Russell attorneys Daniel Ferris and Derek Boyd.

On May 21, 2018, the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision addressing the enforceability of class or collective action waivers in employment arbitration agreements.

On May 21, 2018, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission (“MCRC”) voted that sex discrimination as addressed in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (“ELCRA”) will include discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.

On May 11, 2018 the USCIS released a policy memorandum delineating forthcoming changes on how unlawful presence will be calculated for individuals holding principal or dependent F, J and M non-immigrant status.

Kerr Russell member Patrick Haddad offered comment before the Michigan House of Representatives' House Law and Justice Committee, on May 16. The meeting also aired on “House TV,” and Pat's remarks begin at the 26:25 minute mark.

Kerr Russell attorneys Kate McCarroll and Katherine Cser discuss the top five issues today in immigration, labor and employment law.

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (May 2018) - Question: I have heard quite a bit lately about issues with dental plans. Sometimes audits are conducted and refunds are sought other times there are different contract issues. Some dentists use the term “noncovered services” others refer to “disallowed services”. Are they the same thing? If not, what is the difference?

Kerr Russell's Kevin Block and Kenneth Lombardo are featured in the May/June 2018 issue of DBusiness Magazine. The theme of the section is "Mergers & Acquisitions: Q&A."

By Miroslava Orduño Rincón - As I mentioned in various other posts, fee receipt notices for cases selected in the 2019 H-1B Fiscal Year lottery started to roll this week. The process of notifying individuals that were selected and rejected takes several weeks, with lucky winners usually finding out first and the rejected packages arriving later. Understandably, the process is nerve wracking for applicants, specially for those who are running out of optional practical training (OPT) time.

From Kerr Russell member Joanne Geha Swanson, chair of the State Bar of Michigan Appellate Practice Session on the elegance and importance of editing ...

By Daniel G. Beyer Self-driving vehicles, also known as autonomous vehicles, are the subject of Michigan legislation amended  in late 2016, specifically MCL 257.665, 665a and 665b. This memorandum, among other things, makes observations on this legislation and potential interplay with the Michigan No-Fault Act, MCL 500.3101 et seq.

From Hour Media: "Be Careful Before You Spritz Your Perfume – You Could Be Breaking the Law ... According to a local court ruling, overpowering fragrances are an infraction of the Americans with Disabilities Act" By Elizabeth Swanson // Illustration by Emily Flake - excerpt:

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (April 2018) - Question: I recently replaced my electronic dental record system and purchased an electronic back up service from a well-known national dental supply company. Due to a local disaster all the dental records stored on the computer hardware in my office were destroyed and are not recoverable. When I contacted this company I purchased back up services from I was told that they had failed to back up my records as they promised. I was told that all I could recover from this company was three months of fees I paid for the backup service. My damages are significantly greater than this. How can this be?

On March 13, 2018, the IRS announced that it is ending the 2014 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) on September 28, 2018.

Journal of the Michigan Dental Association (March 2018) - QUESTION: I have been reading about the medical device excise tax (2.3% of the cost of medical devices) coming back in 2018. This was talked about in the past but I thought it had gone away. Is this true? MDA just got rid of the Michigan sales tax on what we buy from dental labs. Will dentists now be charged this 2.3% tax on these items?

Kerr Russell member Max Sneyd (intellectual property, automotive) is quoted in the Forbes article "First Death Of A Pedestrian Struck By An Autonomous Vehicle May Set Tone For Lawyers And Liability" by David Kiley.

In an effort to further combat prescription drug and opioid addiction, the Michigan legislature recently enacted new legislation affecting the prescribing of controlled substances by physicians and other licensed prescribers.

Michigan Medicine - Michigan State Medical Society (March/April 2018) - QUESTION: Can you explain the new requirements for physicians when prescribing drugs?

Numerous Michigan House and Senate bills affecting the prescribing of controlled substances were enacted into law in late 2017.

Katherine Cser, associate (labor and employment), contributed the article “Proposed Tip-Pooling Regulation: Impact on Restaurateurs” to the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Employment and Labor Relations Law.

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

DACA. Dreamers. These words have become part of our American lexicon, invoking debate passionate enough to bring our federal government to a halt. The terms, and the individuals to whom we pin these labels, are the topic of national discussion, from the break room to cable news to the halls of Congress.

In a published decision issued Thursday, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that income received for legal services rendered by an attorney working in the City of Detroit to a client located outside the city are "out-of-city" services for purposes of determining income taxable by the city.

Questions addressed below: How long do dental records have to be maintained? Do I have to maintain records of patients that I have not seen and have no dentist-patient relationship with? Can I contact patients and seek permission to destroy their old records? Can I move records to offsite storage facilities? Once I identify records that are more than 10 years old, can I just throw them in the trash?

Unless lawmakers come to a last-minute agreement, the U.S. government will shut down at 12:01 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2018. The last such Federal shutdown occurred from October 1-16, 2013. A Federal government shutdown results in a stoppage of all budget-funded and “non-essential” services.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and every day, we at Kerr Russell honor Reverend King’s leadership and his legacy as well as the critical importance of diversity and opportunity in this great land of ours. Strength comes from difference; a multiplicity of voices brings positive change; understanding and inclusion inspire creativity and innovation.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available to nationals of designated countries who are present in the United States, but unable to safely return to their home country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security designates which countries are eligible for TPS on account of an armed conflict in the country; an environmental disaster (e.g. earthquake or hurricane); an epidemic; or other extraordinary conditions.

Two of my clients have experienced similar errors at U.S. Consulates in China and Egypt as it concerns dependent visas for spouses that have never held that status. This appears to be a new issue, and I have filed a report with the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. I will provide updates as I receive them. My full analysis follows ...

Implementation of Presidential Proclamation Regarding Travel Restrictions On September 24, 2017, President Trump issued a third travel ban, after the initial two versions were found unconstitutional by the U.S. courts.

The President declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency on October 26, 2017. This declaration was made pursuant to the Public Health Services Act. The Public Health Services Act directs agencies of the federal government to provide additional grant monies to combat the epidemic. According to media reports, overdose deaths in America involving opioids have quadrupled since 1999.

QUESTION: A patient’s wife asked if she could remain with her husband in the ER while I examined him treated his injury. The husband said that this was fine with him. The wife stood in the corner behind the nurse and I who were focused on performing a procedure. When we were finished I turned to let the wife know we were finished and all went well and discovered she was making a video of the procedure with her iPhone. She never asked for permission to make the video and no one provided consent. Can a video legally be made under these circumstances? Do I have any legal recourse?

Before you can put your idea into practice, you need to protect yourself and your intellectual property ...

In the latest issue of dbusiness, Miroslava Orduño Rincon, immigration partner, addresses the question: "Should an employer retain copies of documentation presented by employees for Form I-9?" View the original post here.

In the latest issue of dbusiness, Mark Knoth, labor and employment partner, addresses the question: "What should businesses expect to happen with the 'white collar' overtime exemption under the Trump administration?" View the original post here.

Established in 1990, the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program allocates 50,000 immigrant visas (green cards) each year to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. For example, citizens from most African and European countries are eligible – those from India, Mexico, Canada, and other high-volume U.S. immigration countries are not. Applicants to the DV Lottery must meet minimum education or work experience requirements to be eligible for the program. Entries are submitted online, and winners are randomly chosen.

Via a policy memorandum dated October 23, 2017, the USCIS has rescinded prior guidance from 2004 concerning the significance of a prior L1B at the time of an extension application.

Detroit is in Kerr Russell’s DNA. We have been located in Detroit since 1874. We have been at the table for so much of this beautiful, rugged, scrappy city’s history. We have been here when it was cool, when it was not, and when it was again. We could not be happier to see the dynamic resurgence, across industry and across culture, which Detroit has now achieved.

Following the arrest of a U.S. Consulate employee by Turkish authorities in Istanbul, the United States Mission in Turkey announced on October 8, 2017 the immediate suspension of all non-immigrant visa services at all posts in the country.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) requires most employers to pay workers overtime for hours worked over 40 in any given week. However, the FLSA creates exceptions for workers in specific categories.

The Michigan Supreme Court recently issued its opinion in Covenant Medical Center, Inc. vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., 895 N.W. 2d 490 (Mich. May 25, 2017). This opinion is important for physicians and other providers who treat patients whose expenses are covered by Michigan no-fault personal protection benefits.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is urging employers who "have utilized the H-1B program successfully and responsibly" to write to their members of congress to express their support for the program.

QUESTION: I recently settled licensing complaint with the State of Michigan during my compliance conference. In my view the complaint lacked merit but I did not want to pay to go through an administrative hearing. To buy my peace and move on I agreed to a reprimand and a $500 fine. After I signed off someone mentioned that I may be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank. This never came up at the compliance conference. My lawyer never mentioned this in our discussions and is not sure if this is the case or not. I would not have settled had I known a report would be made to the NPDB and assumed I was settling this quietly. Can you tell me if a NPDB report must be made?

On September 18, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would be resuming premium processing for H-1B petitions subject to the 2018 cap. The resumption of this service applies both to Bachelor and Master’s Cap applications.

Kerr Russell Member Patrick Haddad is quoted in the Crain’s Detroitarticle published on September 17, 2017 “Medical Ownership Spurs New Battles” by Jay Greene. Mr. Greene reviews concerns over ownership models of diagnostic centers, urgent care centers, and cosmetic medical spas in Southeast Michigan. The complete article can be viewed here.

The Fall 2017 edition of Kerr Russell's Immigration Insider has been published.

David Den Dooven contributes to dbusiness' "Grow Personal or Business Wealth with the Right Advice" feature. He offers perspective on the importance of estate planning, even in the early days of a start-up enterprise's success. You can read the original post here.

In keeping with President Trump’s promise to cut regulations to promote business growth, on August 29, 2017, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs announced that the Office of Management and Budget was initiating a review and immediate stay of the government’s pay data collection process, specifically, the enforcement of an Obama-era rule which revised EEO-1 reports.

The Tax Court issued its long-awaited decision in Avrahami v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. No. 7 (August 21, 2017), agreeing with the IRS that amounts paid to a captive/reinsurer that elected to be a treated as “micro-captive” pursuant to §831(b) were not deductible insurance premiums because the arrangement failed to qualify as insurance.

Matthew Powell contributes "A Primer on Resale Price Maintenance" to the August 2017 Michigan Bar Journal. Excerpt: "As the name implies, resale price maintenance (RPM) is an express agreement between a supplier and distributor that sets a maximum or minimum price (or both) at which the distributor can sell the supplier’s products.

Matthew Powell contributes "A Primer on Resale Price Maintenance" to the August 2017 Michigan Bar Journal.

Mark Knoth is quoted in the Bloomberg Law: Bureau of National Affairs article “Should Employers Cover Pot to Battle Opioid Addiction?” by Sean Forbes. You can read the piece here.*

From The Michigan State Medical Society - "Can health care employers require employees to get influenza vaccine?" - co-written by Kerr Russell's Patrick Haddad.

Kerr Russell was present at two recent Metro Detroit networking events celebrating industry best practices. The August 9 Inforum panel at the University of Michigan addressed personal branding in the age of social media. Emily (Solecki) Stieber, MBA, of Henry Ford Health System moderated a balanced and detailed discussion with many practical tips.

Kerr Russell's Dan Schulte contributes the article "Direct Claims for Payment from No-Fault Insurers" to the "Ask Our Lawyer" feature of Michigan State Medical Society's Michigan Medicine (July/August issue). Dan serves as legal counsel for the Society and is a member and managing partner of Kerr Russell.

Kerr Russell's Dan Schulte contributes the article "Direct Claims for Payment from No-Fault Insurers" to the "Ask Our Lawyer" feature of Michigan State Medical Society's Michigan Medicine (July/August issue). Dan serves as legal counsel for the Society and is a member and managing partner of Kerr Russell.

Attorneys from Kerr Russell's health care practice recently presented at a joint conference of the Oakland County Medical Society and the Oakland County Bar Association.

Kerr Russell's Patrick Haddad contributes "Disclosures of Protected Health Information to Health Plan Vendors" to the June/July Oakland County Medical Society Bulletin. Excerpt: "Health plans frequently contract with vendors to perform medical chart reviews and to collect data from clinical records."

A nationwide preliminary injunction was issued on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, by Texas Federal District Court Judge Amos Mazzant preventing the implementation of a revised Department of Labor rule set to take effect on December 1, 2016.

Following the election, our office has received numerous inquiries from clients regarding how their immigration status will be impacted by the Trump presidency.

With the new changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulations, approximately 4.2 million workers who are not currently eligible for overtime benefits will become eligible on December 1, 2016.

On October 25, the White House issued a “call to action” on non-compete agreements.  After surveying the use of non-competes, the White House determined that many of these “agreements” are actually not the product of an agreement, with few workers seeking counsel or attempting to negotiate the terms before signing.

On October 20, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice issued its “Antitrust Guidance for Human Resource Professionals” (“Guidance”) on the application of antitrust law to employment decisions.

Who is this man, Fred K. Herrmann, who has been elected to lead the State Bar Representative Assembly in the 2016–2017 bar year? In many ways, what you see is what you get: an ever-present smile; a positive outlook; a quick wit and wry sense of humor; a keen intellect and curious mind; and sincerity, warmth, and ingenuity.

On October 20, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice issued its “Antitrust Guidance for Human Resource Professionals” (“Guidance”) on the application of antitrust law to employment decisions.  As “no-poaching” agreements or agreements to fix employees’ wages or benefits can impede competition, the Antitrust Division has advised that these types of agreements should be treated similarly to other conduct such as price fixing.

Seven years after speeding its way through a bankruptcy court approved transformation to a new company, General Motors faces a major roadblock. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that vehicle owners may pursue GM for successor liability for vehicle defect claims that arose prior to its bankruptcy filing.

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the Michigan Court of Appeals after your case is filed? Outwardly, the case may appear to languish during a wait clients perceive as interminable. But the Court of Appeals is not a black hole. Systems are in place within the Court to guide each case through the appellate process in a timely and efficient manner.

On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law Public Law 114-94, The FAST Act f/k/a HR 22 – Surface Transportation Reauthorization Reform Act of 2015. As part of its many provisions, new Section 7345 of the Internal Revenue Code was enacted.

In a 6-3 decision issued today (3-23-2015), the US Supreme Court revived a pregnant United Parcel Service (“UPS”) employee’s pregnancy discrimination claim alleging that UPS failed to accommodate her work limitations while pregnant.

Does your company’s standard non-disclosure agreement (NDA) truly protect your confidential information or is it missing something? An NDA is a legally binding contract, so it deserves the same scrutiny as other legal documents. A poorly drafted NDA can spawn litigation or worse – cause competitive harm to your organization.

Click here to read full PDF.

Kevyn Orr referred to the herculean task of fixing the City’s financial woes as the “Olympics of Restructuring.” Mr. Orr has officially entered the medal round based upon the recent filing of the City of Detroit’s Plan of Adjustment, which sets forth his proposal for repayment of creditors and his vision for improving services for City residents. Very shortly, Mr. Orr will attempt to earn the gold medal of restructuring by obtaining Bankruptcy Court approval of his plan.

The aviation industry has endured a significant amount of financial distress since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In recent years, regional air carriers, a once-profitable segment of the airline industry, have experienced a bumpy ride due to a decreased demand in military spending, wildly fluctuating fuel costs and an overall weakness in the global economic markets. Several regional airlines have recently filed for bankruptcy to pursue mergers, sales or other restructurings of their operations.

Social media is a place to share personal information and can be a place to mine information about others. Because of this, students, job applicants and employees are repeatedly warned to limit what they post in social media at the risk of being passed over for admission, a new job or losing their current employment.

Relationships are important in business, and for the Chinese, close personal relationships are valued.

On the day of his appointment as the City of Detroit's emergency financial manager, Kevyn Orr referred to the herculean task of fixing the city's balance sheet as the "Olympics of Restructuring." In order to earn the gold medal, Mr. Orr has filed the largest Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. This article discusses some of the key aspects of Chapter 9 and explores the significant differences between Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 business reorganizations.

Businesses spend countless hours and resources to research and develop effective names for their corporate entities, products and services. While much of the consideration properly addresses marketing concerns, there are important trademark issues that should be considered when choosing a name.

Michigan courts have long held that a plaintiff cannot title his true cause of action as another simply to benefit from a longer statute of limitations. A medical malpractice plaintiff cannot call her claim for professional negligence (two-year statute of limitations) a breach of contract claim (six-year statute of limitations), or a general negligence claim (three-year statute of limitations). Similarly, a client cannot sue his attorney for breach of contract or fraud (six-year statute of limitations) when his claim is based on professional negligence (two-year statute of limitations).

As young lawyers, we learn the valuable lesson from colleagues and mentors that ambiguity in a written agreement is the enemy of a good lawyer; it has the potential to land us in court with our skills labeled inept. Ambiguity becomes our boogeyman, the stuff of our nightmares, with the power to subject us to courtrooms where laypeople determine what our writings meant.

Dan Beyer contributed "A Trial Lawyer's Perspective on Presenting the Litigated Real Property Case" to the Real Property Law Section State Bar of Michigan' Michigan Real Property Review. Click here to read the piece.

Whether one is a general practitioner or seeking to specialize in tax practice, it is well to consider the perils and avoidance of tax malpractice.

Trademark rights prohibit the use of another company's trademarks or service marks to describe other goods or services, or in other ways that will likely cause confusion among consumers.

Chances are that you have invested time and money in developing a comprehensive set of standard terms and conditions tailored for your business. But have you thought about how to incorporate those terms and conditions (T&Cs) into your agreements? If not, you should consider three main opportunities to incorporate your T&Cs.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) legally mandates that United States employers verify the employment eligibility of every person one hires.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently increased its investigation and enforcement efforts in regards to I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) compliance. In June 2011, ICE agents served subpoenas on 1,000 employers across the United States which required that they turn over original I-9 forms, as well as significant corporate documentation, for review.

As cities, townships and municipalities struggle to address the sobering reality of a mountain of debt and decreased revenues, one tool at their disposal is Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy. For many at the state and local level, filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy is still viewed as the unthinkable, nuclear option. For others, Chapter 9 is viewed as a viable tool to restore financial stability to a community.