BRUZA LAW
Bruza Law specializes in representing small businesses and the individuals who built them. With experience in business litigation, transactions, planning, real estate, probate, family and criminal law, we can effectively assess and manage almost any legal issue.
Having access to affordable and reliable General Counsel can be invaluable. Whether it is a quick question regarding a contract or an issue with an employee, customer, or vendor, getting the answers you need, when you need them can make all the difference. Whether you are just starting out or managing an ongoing operation, access to experienced, affordable legal counsel is crucial to long term business success. Bruza Law provides cost effective representation based on over 35 years of broad-based legal experience that allows focused representation and if necessary scaled by partnering with specialized counsel to aggressively protect your business.”
Personal
Whether you have a family issue, probate issue, criminal issue, real estate or contract issue, Bruza Law can assist you.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Non-Compete Agreements are Changing
Recently, the FTC proposed a ban on non-competes. This proposal is consistent with efforts at both the federal and state level to restrict the use of these types of agreements because they interfere with job mobility. The National Labor Relations Board has issued a memo that the “proffer, maintenance, and enforcement of non-compete provisions in employment contracts and severance agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act except in limited circumstances”. ( https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/nlrb-general-counsel-issues-memo-on-non-competes-violating-the-national) Non-competes can be an important component of protecting a business’s intellectual property, trade secrets and competitor’s access to important customer markets. As long as non-competes remain legal, the key to maintaining their enforceability lies in ensuring that they are narrowly drawn in terms of time, scope, and geographic location. Further, to the extent they are tied to restricting a managerial ownership interest in a competing business associated with the sale of a company or to those that may owe a fiduciary duty to the company, they are more likely to be upheld. Michigan still enforces non-competes under certain circumstances but to the extent other states do not, caution is necessary to ensure employees are not asked to sign a contract with illegal provisions. It is essential that local laws and court rulings be reviewed and other alternatives, such as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements be considered.
New Laws Setting Aside Criminal Convictions
Michigan has significantly expanded the type and number of criminal convictions that can be set aside. Generally, if you have no more than 3 felonies, these may be set aside along with misdemeanor convictions. Additionally, first time drinking and driving offenses now may be set aside. An expungement provides a second chance for those who are working to create a better life. A conviction that is set aside becomes a non-public record, giving individuals access to previously unavailable opportunities. For instance, not having to check yes on any application that asks if you have ever been convicted of a felony. Access to post-secondary education, business loans, occupational licensing, housing, and employment can all be impacted by your criminal record. There are certain time periods and limitations that apply, and it is imperative that you prepare to convince the court to grant your request. Working with an attorney to develop a coordinated strategy to clear as much of your criminal record as possible presents the best opportunity to clear your criminal record.
An attorney is more than an advocate for a client;
They must be willing and able to effectively advise and guide their clients.
This does not always mean winning at all costs. The best results often require patience and a commitment to work towards longer term goals.
Having the experience to assess a broad range of legal issues coupled with access to specialized counsel, provides clients with the most cost effective legal representation.