Publications

As autonomous-drone and air-taxi concepts debut, legal hurdles will need to be cleared before the skies are automated.

A provisioning center can sell to a patient from out of state only if they have a valid identification card or registration certificate along with a valid driver’s license or government identification card.

On January 29, 2019, the Michigan Department of Treasury issued a notice regarding the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. The following is a summary of the notice.

Michigan House lawmakers have renewed efforts to extend transparency requirements to the legislative and executive branch, but the bills could hit snags in the Senate again over concerns with opening up certain state correspondence to public view.

The new AV 3.0 federal guidelines for autonomous-vehicle development drew criticism for having no legal teeth. But they may only be the beginning.

The Michigan Offer of Judgment Rule (MCR 2.405) is a powerful tool for encouraging a rapid, fair settlement of personal injury and settlement claims. When opposing parties use the rule to make offers and counteroffers, the party whose offer is furthest from the ultimate judgment is typically required to pay the more accurate party’s attorney fees. This creates a powerful incentive for the parties to concentrate on correctly estimating the case’s true value and to reach an early and fair settlement.

Happy Holidays from the Butzel Long Charitable Trust

Imagine someone named Kolin Capernick owns 25 percent of an up-and-coming sports apparel company.

As a rough rule of thumb, suppliers of components parts who think they need products liability insurance should also consider buying product recall insurance.

When first enacted, laws protecting the public's right of access to information about their government were lauded as a new hope for transparency.

Legal risk and reward of blockchain and smart contracts as a prescription for automotive applications

As we start to see the first hints that winter is retreating, it’s time for spring cleaning! In light of recent decisions and government agency rules, it’s time to review your Terms of Use, Privacy Policies and general strategy with the following three issues in mind.

It’s no secret that autonomous vehicles will assimilate massive amounts of data—including biometric information about occupants. Engineers and developers need to design systems to help assure bioprivacy.

As an industry, we are prepared for the everyday fare of the profession—FOIA denials, OMA violations, spotting defamatory statements, and the like.  But we can, and should, do better when it comes to prepping for the extraordinary.

One of the things I most enjoy as MPA General Counsel is engaging on the importance of open government in our democracy. On multiple occasions, I have presented on the topic of Open Government. Reporters, public officials, and citizens all gathered to take about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA) – their importance, the challenges in obtaining/providing information, as well as best practices. It is clear to me that many government officials and employees not only want to comply with the legal requirements (as they must), they want to go beyond the bare minimum required by the law and begin making strides toward better transparency policies. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on best practices for you to discuss with your local governments.

Best Practices Overall

Best Practices on the IT Side

Best Practices for Individuals

Whereas few haven’t read, or at least been warned about, the threats posed by hackers and the malware they plant, less common are the stories told from inside the cyber incident as it unfolds.