The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA) transformed trade secret litigation by creating a federal cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. Before the DTSA, businesses generally relied on state law to protect confidential information. Today, companies can pursue federal remedies when trade secrets are stolen, disclosed, or improperly used. Understanding how the DTSA works is essential for...
Continue ReadingThe Most Common Grounds for Suing a Business Partner Business partnerships depend on trust, transparency, and shared responsibilities. When a partner acts dishonestly, misuses company assets, breaches agreements, or puts personal interests ahead of the business, legal action may become necessary. Understanding the grounds for suing a business partner can help you protect your ownership rights, financial interests, and...
Continue ReadingContracts are essential in the business world. They govern things like sales, services, employment, payment of debts, and more. Contracts help make your business transactions predictable. If someone contracts with you to provide a good or service, you should be able to count on them to follow through. Unfortunately, whether intentionally or unintentionally, not everyone comes through on their...
Continue ReadingIt is highly recommended that you have a written partnership agreement any time you establish a business partnership. Nevertheless, many small businesses operate without one. If you get along well with your partners, you may feel that a partnership agreement is unnecessary. However, dissolving a business partnership without an agreement can be challenging. If your Partnership Agreement does not...
Continue ReadingIn order to be enforceable, Michigan non compete agreements must reasonably restrict employee mobility, and must protect a legitimate business interest. Non compete agreements are enforceable in Michigan when they protect legitimate business interests and contain reasonable limits on time, geography, and scope. Courts generally evaluate whether the restrictions are necessary to protect confidential information, customer relationships, or competitive...
Continue ReadingIf you have an LLC or corporation, you are likely concerned about protecting yourself from liability. Piercing the corporate veil occurs when a court disregards a company’s separate legal identity and holds business owners personally liable for corporate debts or misconduct. Courts may allow veil piercing when a business fails to maintain proper corporate formalities, mixes personal and company...
Continue ReadingThis article was originally published by the Michigan Bar Journal in March, 1997 A motion in limine is a pretrial motion attorneys use to ask the court to exclude or limit certain evidence before a case reaches the jury. These motions help prevent unfair, irrelevant, or highly prejudicial information from being introduced during trial. Understanding how motions in limine...
Continue ReadingAn EEOC position statement is an employer’s written response to a discrimination or workplace complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The position statement allows employers to explain their side of the dispute, provide supporting evidence, and address the employee’s allegations before the EEOC continues its investigation. Because these statements can significantly impact the direction of a case,...
Continue ReadingYou work hard to build strong business relationships and fulfill your contracts. You should be able to expect that your hard work is not unlawfully undermined. Contact our law firm today if you believe you have a case against another party for tortious interference. But what happens if someone actively works to undermine your efforts or steal your opportunities...
Continue ReadingA hallmark of a company’s success is often the pursuit of that company by a suitor purchaser. For the shareholders being courted, many are not mere passive investors; they are the founders, the ground-floor believers, and the proud owners of sweat equity. And they duly expect just compensation in order to part with the start-up company and its innovative...
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