CALL US AT (313)-496-1200
ARCHIVED PUBLICATIONS
Protecting Intellectual Property In Digital Marketing Assets
By John Wright, Esq. Small businesses can achieve big results from digital marketing efforts, but must take care to protect intellectual property from theft and infringement. Intellectual property found in digital marketing assets includes creative works subject to...Michigan Department of Treasury Allows Certain Buyers to Recover Real Estate Transfer Taxes
Michigan Department of Treasury Allows Certain Buyers to Recover Real Estate Transfer Taxes In a typical real estate transaction, the seller is obligated to pay state and county real estate transfer taxes at the time of closing. The tax is based upon the sale price of...Are Opponents of “E-Cigarettes” in the Workplace Just Blowing Smoke?
Are Opponents of “E-Cigarettes” in the Workplace Just Blowing Smoke? As electronic cigarettes continue to grow in popularity as an alternative to tobacco, employers must decide whether their “no smoking” policies should also prohibit “vaping” in the workplace. Under...David Foy Gives Presentation to Detroit Area Ophthalmology Residents
David Foy Gives Presentation to Detroit Area Ophthalmology Residents On March 24, 2014 David Foy made a presentation “Anatomy of an Employment Contract” to Detroit Area Ophthalmology residents from Beaumont Health System, Henry Ford Health System, and...Use Of Criminal Background Checks – The EEOC’S “Guidance”
Use Of Criminal Background Checks – The EEOC’S “Guidance” And Attempts To Regulate A Court’s Decision That The EEOC Statistics Are “Scientific Dishonesty” A federal judge cast doubt on government efforts to restrict employers’ use of criminal background...Protecting Your Client’s Business in Divorce
By John J. Schrot, Jr.
Divorce can be bad business for your client. Mixing a business and its assets with a divorce can become financially and emotionally devastating for the divorcing couple and for its family, as well as for the business’ employees and co-owners. Division of property is usually the chief issue in divorce, and the business is usually the most valuable asset in a divorce. Planning can avoid this principal source of contention that occurs in a divorce. Avoiding a court battle will minimize the pitfalls.
2010 HIRE Act — Tax Breaks for Employers
2010 Hiring Incentive to Restore Employment (“HIRE”) Act — Tax Breaks for Employers The recently enacted Hiring Incentive to Restore Employment Act (“HIRE”) created two new tax benefits to encourage employers to hire and retain new...Small Nonprofit Organizations May Lose Their Tax Exempt Status
Small Nonprofit Organizations May Lose Their Tax Exempt Status A recent New York Times article has brought back into the spot light a 2006 federal law that could force as many as 400,000 charitable organizations, civic organizations, business leagues, and social clubs...Purchasing Michigan Real Estate – An Investment Opportunity
Purchasing Michigan Real Estate – An Investment Opportunity Michigan’s unprecedented drop in real estate values, especially in southeastern Michigan, has been a blow to many but has created opportunities for others. Southeastern Michigan is now perceived...Appealing Michigan Property Tax Assessments in 2010
Appealing Michigan Property Tax Assessments in 2010 The ongoing decline in property values in Detroit and surrounding southeast Michigan communities has further-expanded the substantial discrepancies between taxable values and market values for real estate. Assessors...Charitable Deduction for Contribution’s to Haiti Earthquake Victims
Charitable Deduction for Contribution’s to Haiti Earthquake Victims On January 22, President Obama signed into law “A Bill to Accelerate the Income Tax Benefits for Charitable Cash Contributions for the Relief of Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.”...Giving Gifts to Individuals: Some Basic Questions Answered
Giving Gifts to Individuals: Some Basic Questions Answered What factors other than taxes should I consider in deciding whether or not to make a gift? Given your net wealth, liquidity, income, age, health, and family obligations, consider whether making the gift would...The IRS Says, “You Can’t Hide Your House Behind Your Spouse.”
The IRS Says, “You Can’t Hide Your House Behind Your Spouse.” On April 17, 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court decided U.S. v. Craft holding that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can use a husband and wife’s personal residence, or other property...Section 1031: What is a Tax-Deferred Exchange?
Section 1031: What is a Tax-Deferred Exchange? There are many ways to accumulate wealth, even in periods of economic sluggishness. One of the more attractive investment vehicles is an investment in real estate. Careful consideration should always be given to selecting...Your Employee Health Care Plan and the EEOC Announcement
Your Employee Health Care Plan and The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Announcement For more than a year, the EEOC has maintained the position that the Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires an employer-sponsored health care plan to cover...Do Company-Sponsored Disaster Relief Fund-Raisers Violate a No-Solicitation Policy?
Do Company-Sponsored Disaster Relief Fund-Raisers Violate a No-Solicitation Policy? Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, some employers sponsored fund-raising activities in support of the World Trade Center victims, or at least permitted their employees...Estate Law Changes
Estate Law Changes – Add Confusion and Some Relief On June 7, 2001, the Economic Growth and Recovery Tax Act (EGRTA) was signed by President George W. Bush. This law, which included a highly publicized “repeal” of the federal estate tax, brought...Potential Law Changes for Gifts
Potential Law Changes for Gifts of IRAs to Charity In the event that an individual gives appreciated stock to the charity of their choice, they are able to take a charitable deduction for the full value of the gift despite the fact that they do not have to recognize...Email, the Internet, the Employee and the Law.
Employer Control of the Ether: Email, the Internet and the Employee Are you worried about what your employees are doing with this wonderful new tool you have given them to assist them in doing their jobs? Aside from all the things you have thought about, have you...Primer on Hybrid Section 301 Claims
A Short Primer on Hybrid Section 301 Claims for the Unionized Employer If you have employees that are represented by a union, you may have terminated an employee who is then unhappy with you for discharging him and also unhappy with his union for deciding not to...Sixth Circuit Finds Qualified Immunity Available to Non-Profit Child Care Agencies
Sixth Circuit Finds Qualified immunity exists under certain circumstances for non-profit child care agencies and their employees. On June 7, 2000, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals found in the case of Bartell v. Lohiser, et al, that a qualified immunity exists under...Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Does Your Weingarten Grow?
National Labor Relations Board has reversed its own 15-year-old precedent. Weingarten grows everywhere. Until July 10, 2000 Weingarten rights only existed in unionized work forces. Now, the National Labor Relations Board has reversed its own 15-year-old precedent....New Federal E-Sign Law Allows You to Make Your Mark in Cyberspace
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act – Make Your Mark in Cyberspace On June 30, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (“E-Sign”). The new law contains...Does Your Company Have a Cell Phone Policy?
Costly Conversations – Does Your Company Have a Cell Phone Use Policy? Do your employees use cell phones to conduct business when they are driving? If the answer is yes, your company should adopt a policy that either prohibits cell phone use while driving or...Asset Protection Planning Starts At Home
An effective Asset Protection Planning and Strategy Starts At Home. Does the term “Asset Protection” conjure visions of a remote Caribbean Island or the Swiss Alps? This is not the place to begin an asset protection analysis. We suggest that you begin by...Fighting Corruption: The Evolution of Anti-Bribery Standards in the Global Economy
Does your company transact business outside the United States? Form strategic alliances or joint ventures with foreign individuals or companies? If so, it is imperative that you monitor the evolution of international anti-bribery legislation. The United States,...Protecting Your Trade Secrets in the Digital Era
Protecting Your Trade Secrets in the Digital Age In recent years, as the competition for talented employees has increased, the variety of means by which a company’s trade secrets can be stolen by departing employees means that businesses are at greater risk than...The Tradition of Bribery in International Business
The Tradition of Bribery in International Business – bribery of public officials. The investigation by the International Olympic Committee of Salt Lake City and other venues has shed light on a very dark tradition of international business – bribery of...Have You Committed Fraud Lately?
Have You Committed Fraud Lately? – Your omission could turn out to be expensive. Be wary of job applicants, especially for key positions, asking about your company’s financial well being or asking you for current financial statements. The Michigan Court of...Tired of Training Your Competitors’ Employees?
Tired of Training Your Competitors’ Employees? – burden and expense of providing technical training. More and more employers are picking up the burden and expense of providing technical training for their employees. While some of this training is done on...
