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BUSINESS & PERSONAL SERVICES DIVISION
The Business and Personal Services Division is composed of three sections: Corporate, Tax & Employment ("CTE"), Bankruptcy/Collection and Probate & Estate Planning.
In the CTE Section, the Firm is counsel for numerous business and commercial enterprises and, in that context, has formed and represented hundreds of Michigan profit and non-profit corporations, partnerships, proprietorships, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and other business entities. The CTE Section provides a wide variety of business related services, including advice as to choice of entity, the capital and tax structure of newly formed organizations and preparation of the documents associated with organizing and registering the business entity, as well as ongoing advice for established enterprises regarding day to day operations. Additionally, we have participated as counsel in the sales, mergers and acquisitions of both small and multi-million dollar business entities and transactions and frequently review or draft agreements related to the business activities of our clients. Our clients have frequently sought our advice as to shareholder and/or employee problems and we often draft Employment Contracts and Employee Termination Agreements and assist our clients in drafting and revising personnel policies and manuals. We also advise and assist businesses that are encountering financial difficulty or “business divorce” issues to either restructure or conclude their activities.
As representative and general counsel to a number of national banks, federal and state credit unions and cooperative associations, the CTE Section deals with all legal aspects involving the financial services business. On request, the Section conducts “Legal Audits”, which include examinations of books, records, corporate contracts and agreements, articles and bylaws to insure conformity to applicable state and federal laws and to reveal potential problem areas. The CTE Section works closely with the Probate and Estate Planning Section to coordinate the personal and business planning appropriate for business owners and their families. We also regularly perform tax planning and assist our clients in tax dispute resolution.
The Bankruptcy/Collection Section of the Firm represents creditors in bankruptcy and insolvency cases. The Section has experience in representing Bankruptcy Trustees, as well as Michigan municipalities in bankruptcy cases involving the non-payment of real estate taxes and special assessments. The Firm has attorneys admitted to practice in the Bankruptcy Courts of both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. In addition to bankruptcy matters, the Section represents creditors in both commercial and consumer collection matters. This representation includes pre- and post-judgment collection and enforcement, debt restructuring, forbearance agreements, claim and delivery actions, mortgage foreclosures and land contract forfeiture actions.
The Probate & Estate Planning Section provides probate and estate planning and administrative assistance as well as working closely with financial institutions in trust administration and also provides tax planning advice to minimize estate taxes. Our estate planning services include living trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney.
