- DivorceI also represent clients in family law and divorce cases in Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County. These types of cases are often very difficult and emotional for clients, and understandably so given the stakes involved.
- Child Custody and VisitationChild custody issues can also be very contentious in Michigan divorce cases. Michigan family law is designed to favor the best interests of a child whose parents are divorcing. Any custody agreement between parents must be approved by the court in line with certain factors that are prescribed by Michigan law.
- Criminal DefenseAdmitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2000, I have 20 years of experience in helping clients with many different legal matters. I have represented clients throughout the State of Michigan during my career. My clients have included individuals, small businesses, large companies, and even large international law firms that needed assistance with local Michigan cases. Litigation Cases
- MisdemeanorsAlthough misdemeanor criminal charges are not the most serious charges that can be brought against a defendant, they should be taken and treated very seriously by anyone who is accused of a misdemeanor criminal offense in Michigan. These charges have the potential for costing a defendant a relatively significant amount of money in fines and court costs, and can also tarnish a person’s reputation and police record. More importantly, a misdemeanor conviction can result in you being deprived of your liberty, even if it is for what might be considered a “short” period of time compared to felony convictions.
- AssaultMisdemeanor criminal charges in Michigan are generally described as relatively “minor” offenses. These types of charges typically range from petty offenses to more serious offenses that nonetheless fall short of felony criminal charges. Specific examples of Michigan misdemeanor offenses include, retail fraud, trespass, aggravated assault, certain types of domestic violence, and certain types of impaired driving infractions. In Michigan, misdemeanor offenses are punished by fines or by serving time in a local county jail for less than one year.
- Restraining OrderServed as principal author of lawsuit papers that secured a restraining order in the Wayne County Circuit Court against unfair business competition against the client.
- Corporate LawOften, minority shareholders (i.e., those holding less than 51% of the corporation) fail to insist on having the corporate formation documents contain an adequate level of protection for them should differences arise with the majority shareholders regarding how the corporation should be managed. Often, the shareholder with the most shares ultimately winds up with control of the corporation and successfully squeezes out minority shareholders.
- Business DisputesLife in the Fast Lane: Franchise Law, Its Owners, Operators, and Attorneys, Cooley Law School Business Law Society, Auburn Hills, Michigan (June, 2015).
- Business Transactions
- Limited Liability CompaniesI represent business start-ups in the beginning stages of their ventures, and help them resolve all kinds of legal issues related to growing a business. For example, I help business clients set up Michigan corporations and limited liability companies (LLC's) and provide them with guidance through the often confusing maze of issues faced when starting a business in Michigan.
- Trade Secrets
- Wrongful TerminationAs a Michigan employment lawyer, I help clients solve difficult workplace disputes. I represent individuals who experience discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge or termination, and other types of adverse employment actions. I have worked with a wide variety of individual clients, including professionals and blue collar workers.
- Employment LitigationIn addition to working with individual clients, I also work with Michigan businesses and their owners to prevent and resolve employment law disputes. When working with businesses, I encourage my clients to take a proactive approach, by developing and implementing the appropriate policies and procedures that can reduce or even prevent difficult employment disputes in the first place.
- Non-compete AgreementMany Michigan businesses require their employees to sign non-compete agreements. Although many people assume these types of agreements are not enforceable, the fact is that non-compete agreements may be enforceable under Michigan so long as certain requirements are met.
- Severance AgreementWon a six figure judgment for breach of employment severance agreement for two clients against a large international automotive supplier.
- Real Estate LitigationAs a Michigan litigation attorney, a large part of my practice is devoted to representing clients in Michigan civil litigation cases. My civil litigation cases include general business and commercial disputes, breach of contract cases, business torts, trade secret and non-compete litigation, temporary and preliminary injunction proceedings, Michigan sales commission disputes, collection cases, employment law cases, real estate disputes, and many other kinds of legal disputes.
- Real Estate TransactionsI also offer legal services to established business clients. I counsel business clients on general contract issues, employment law matters, non-compete agreements, franchise matters, real estate purchases, leases and contracts, as well as many other kinds of business transactions and agreements.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Estate PlanningAs a Michigan real estate attorney, I represent clients in a wide variety of real estate litigation and disputes, including cases relating to the purchase and sale of commercial Michigan real estate, zoning disputes, commercial leasing disputes, commercial evictions, nuisance cases, boundary disputes, and adverse possession cases.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawA C corporation is a separate taxable entity subject to federal and state income tax. Most of the major businesses you hear about in the news are C corporations. If you form your business as a C corporation, your company will pay tax, and any profits distributed to you will be taxed again on your personal income tax return. In spite of the double taxation issue, C corporations can provide good tax planning opportunities and may also have more employee benefits options available than other types of business entities. C corporations are also the preferred type of entity if you are contemplating soliciting venture capital for your company or taking your company public. S Corporation