The mission of the State Bar is to aid in promoting improvements in the administration of justice and advancements in jurisprudence, improving relations between the legal profession and the public, and promoting the interests of the legal profession in this state. Currently, the Bar has more than 42,000 attorney members. The Michigan Legislature established the State Bar of Michigan...
Continue ReadingBusinesses come in all sizes from one-person ownership to large multi-national corporations. Regardless of the size of the business or type of service or product they offer, if a legal problem arises, they want it solved quickly, efficiently, accurately and predictably. In an effort to satisfy that need, the Michigan Business Court Statute was passed in October of 2012. A...
Continue ReadingIt is common for corporate shareholders to bring lawsuits based on alleged wrongdoing by corporate officers or directors. Michigan courts have not squarely addressed whether a derivative or a direct suit is the proper vehicle for such claims. This post will explore some of the different views Michigan courts have taken on this developing issue. A derivative suit, as...
Continue ReadingLuke? Lord Vader has set a trap for him. And we're the bait. Well, he's on his way. Perfect. You fixed us all pretty good, didn't you? My friend! Stop! I've done all I can do. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I have my own problems. Yeah, you're a real hero. You certainly have a way with...
Continue ReadingFrom the January 30, 2006 Michigan Lawyers Weekly. By E Powell Miller, David H Fink and Lauren Duerr Heralded by President Bush as “a model of effective, bipartisan legislation” that will “ease the needless burden of litigation on every American worker, business, and family,” the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) was signed into law on Feb. 18, 2005. Opponents...
Continue ReadingThe duty of good faith and fair dealing is implied in every contract. The Restatement (Second) Contracts, Section 205 states: “Every contract imposes upon each party a duty of good faith and fair dealing in its performance and enforcement.” The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) also imposes a duty of good faith. UCC Section 1-203 provides: “Every contract or duty...
Continue ReadingThis article was originally published by the Michigan Bar Journal in March, 1997 Motions in limine are commonly used in trial preparation in order to narrow the issues for trial and further guide testimony and presentation of evidence, as well as possibly reduce a client’s costs associated with trial. Motions in limine can also be used to gain important...
Continue ReadingBoth large and small cases can be enhanced by the wise use of an expert. An expert who testifies effectively at trial can sometimes ignite life in an otherwise doubtful trial. Of course, the decision to use an expert should be well thought out, and the expert should offer guidance to the trier of fact. The expert selected to...
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