In this issue:
Scott H. Hogan and Alexis D. Behnke (Law Clerk)
As a property owner in Michigan, you may have questions about your responsibilities related to the public sidewalk that runs in front of your home or business. If someone is injured on that sidewalk, are you liable?
In Michigan, the responsibility to maintain and potentially even replace a public sidewalk often depends on local ordinances. Below are just a few examples of the duty a property owner has for sidewalk maintenance in various cities...
Cliff L. Hammond
As the year draws to a close, now's the time for employers, HR personnel and business owners to conduct a comprehensive check-up. 2025 brought a deluge of changes for employers, especially to sick leave and paid time. From policy updates to legal compliance, proactive housekeeping of your policies and handbooks ensures your organization enters 2026 with clarity and confidence.
The following video features moderator Paul Millenbach and labor & employment law attorney Cliff Hammond as he covers key areas that employers should review prior to 2026...
Sara L. Cunningham and McKenna S. Rivers
As previously reported in our 2024 article, an amendment to the Marketable Record Title Act, MCL 565.101 et seq. (“MRTA”), was originally enacted in 2019. That amendment had the effect of requiring property owners to file a "Notice" of Claim to retain certain property rights such as easements and land restrictions if those instruments were last recorded with the County Register of Deeds more than 40 years ago...
The Kent County Operations Policy Committee on Nov. 18 voted to send the Village of Sparta’s petition to annex the Peterson parcel to the full Kent County Board of Commissioners with a recommendation to hold the statutorily required public hearing Thursday. The committee’s recommendation followed public comments from Sparta Township officials and the property trustee that presented sharply different views. "Despite the village's claims and its written submissions, this is frankly a land grab," said Laura Genovich, an attorney with Foster Swift representing Sparta Township, urging the committee to recommend denial and to pursue a Public Act 425 cooperative agreement instead...
Foster Swift will once again be sponsoring and will be in attendance for the Michigan Township Association's annual conference & expo. The 2026 conference will be April 20-23, 2026, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. Our attorneys will be hosting our yearly Business Solutions Session on April 21. Stay tuned for more details.
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