Salary Secrecy and the Law
Many corporations and even small businesses admonish their employees not to discuss their salaries. Some employers even threaten sanctions, including firing, for those who discuss their salaries with other employees. What [...]
New IRS Form Helps Charities Apply for 501(c)(3) status
The Internal Revenue Service rolled out a new, shorter application form for charities that are applying for 501(c)(3) status. The form, which was published in July of 2014, appears to [...]
When that Flat in London Nearly Deflated Us: Inheritance Issues on Foreign Assets
Estate taxes can be a complicated issue, even when all of your earnings and property are solely in the United States. When you choose to purchase property abroad, and particularly [...]
Intricacies of Workplace Discrimination
There are many legal aspects to being an employer. Employers must ensure that they are in compliance with the various state and federal regulations that govern workplaces. Two areas of [...]
Keeping Invasive Species Out of Michigan
Invasive species are a hot topic, here in Michigan, as well in other states. Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that enter the Michigan environment. Typically, these species are [...]
Making Joint Ventures Work
Access to new markets and customers, leveraging of existing knowhow, and the development and exploitation of new technology: all are really good reasons to start a joint venture with that [...]
Dawda Mann Attorneys Listed as Best Lawyers in America
It is with great pleasure that we share the achievements of our colleagues. The following attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 21st edition of The Best [...]
FATCA: Unintended Consequences
In 2010, Congress passed the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. At the time, there was very little press coverage or debate about the so-called FATCA. First of all, it was [...]
Bank Mergers and Mortgage Assignments
When banks voluntarily merge, which is happening a lot these days, the purchasing bank or the resultant entity must be vigilant in assigning all the mortgages or face the risk [...]
Background Checks, Ban the Box and Best Practices in Hiring
Employers have to weigh many decisions when they are involved in the hiring process. They have to find the right fit when choosing a new employee. Among the data gathered [...]
Are auto suppliers driving Michigan’s economic rebirth?
It’s no secret that the automotive industry is still the key to driving Michigan’s economy back from the brink of the Great Recession. But it’s not just the automakers leading [...]
Offer in Compromise Legislation: What is it and what does it change?
Governor Rick Snyder signed significant tax legislation, making official the Offer In Compromise Legislation (OIC), also known as Michigan Public Act 240 of 2014. The Michigan Department of the Treasury [...]
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to Work: Issues to Consider
Lots of employees are bringing their own personal electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets and laptops and utilizing these devices for work. If this is happening with your employees, [...]
Mountains v. Molehills
photo by PRA In my prior blog post, I mentioned that certain types of clients may be in need of greater assistance in separating issues that are or [...]
The Complicated Nature of Physical Screenings Prior to Employment
For many potential job applicants, there is a physical component to aspects of their job duties. This can be the case for people who work in shipping, manufacturing and transportation, [...]
Serving Fat Cats and Not so Fat Cats
One of the more interesting aspects of my job as a transactional attorney is representing different types of clients. Over our nearly 20 years we have been fortunate at Dawda, [...]
Microbeads and the Great Lakes: new Illinois legislation
The latest substance to be banned due to environmental concerns: microbeads. These tiny pieces of plastic are used in multiple personal cleaning and exfoliant products and often as embellishments in [...]
Good News for Michigan Auto Dealers
Are you shopping for a new vehicle or looking for service at local dealerships this summer? There may be more employees there ready to help you, according to the [...]
IRS Announces Penalty Relief for Small Businesses
The Internal Revenue Service has announced a new one-year pilot program, beginning on June 2, 2014, that gives small businesses that have retirement plans relief from penalties if they have [...]
Changes in the Attorney Grievance Commission
Attorneys are known for and relied upon to keep their clients within the confines of the law and ethically balanced while guiding them toward the best possible outcome in difficult [...]