Michigan courts have been wrestling with the boundaries of the Occupational Code and statutory requirements relating to residential builder’s licenses, mixed-use housing projects, and commercial construction
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Paycheck Protection Program Round 2
On Monday, December 21, 2020, the House and Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 which provides for additional Covid-19 relief. The President signed the Act late Sunday, December 27, 2020. Among other relief, the Act provides for a new source of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)...
Now is NOT the Time to Ease Up on COVID-19 Safety and Health Workplace Precautions
Many Michigan businesses are up and running again after the shutdown, although now operating at a new norm. The active Executive Orders relating to COVID-19 contain safety and health workplace guidelines businesses are required to follow if open. Yesterday, the Michigan Occupational Safety and...
UPDATE: Michigan Marketable Record Title Act Amendment Deadline to Preserve Interest and Restrictions Looms as Unanswered Questions Remain
On December 28, 2018, the Michigan legislature passed Senate Bill 671 (“Bill”) which amends the Marketable Record Title Act (“MRTA”). The Bill took effect on March 29, 2019. The “Amendment” to the MRTA provides for a 2-year grace period (until March 29, 2021) for recording a notice to preserve...
Reading Between the Lines: An Avoidable Insurance Coverage Issue Revealed in Skanska USA Building v. M.A.P. Mechanical
Insurance coverage is an integral part of the construction process. The contract documents rely on insurance to facilitate the risk allocation and risk transfer needs of the project. These contractual specifications lay out the types of coverage, policy limits, and policy terms required. Many...
Michigan Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling on Construction Insurance Coverage
On June 29, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in a case with wide ranging implications for all contractors in Michigan who purchase CGL insurance. In a break from over thirty years of established law, the Court held that there “may” be coverage for a contractor’s own...
Even Billy Joel Didn’t Own the Copyright to His Architectural Plans – Don’t Make This Mistake When Building Your Dream Home
Billy Joel was recently sued for copyright infringement when he terminated the contractor he hired to perform renovations to his Oyster Bay mansion and hired a new one to carry out the job instead. Although what typically comes to mind when one thinks of copyright protection is songs, books, and...
Solutions to Nonpayment Defaults for Commercial Landlords and Tenants in the Wake of COVID-19
Whether you are a commercial landlord or tenant, COVID-19 has likely impacted your business. And in many cases here in Michigan it has specifically impacted the ability of tenants to pay rent while unable to operate their businesses. As such, many commercial landlords and tenants are left...
5 Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program
Learn about the 5 key changes Senate made on 6.4.2020 to change the way businesses receive PPP loans and how they are allowed to use them.
The Hilger Hammond Construction Forecast – May 19, 2020
The Construction Forecast 2020 presents trends and potential hurdles from issues we are hearing “on the street” and offers insight from a legal counsel perspective.