Practical perspectives for contemporary legal challenges.
In evaluating the feasibility and profitability of a potential investment, it’s crucial for a prudent buyer to conduct a comprehensive review of all property leases. Such an examination allows the buyer to verify the property’s cash flow and identify any potential risks or liabilities. However, determining whether tenants are indeed adhering to their lease obligations …
Continue reading “Leveraging Tenant Estoppel Certificates in Commercial Real Estate Deals”
In a landmark decision, a federal court has ruled against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determining that their approval of Florida’s takeover of the Clean Water Act wetlands permitting program violated federal law. The court’s decision, which came as a result of a lawsuit filed by seven environmental groups, …
Continue reading “Florida Loses Wetland Permitting Authority”
In Michigan, every document submitted for recordation with a register of deeds must adhere to MCL 565.201. Among these requirements, the first line of print on the first page of the instrument must display a single statement identifying the recordable event associated with the instrument (MCL 565.201(1)(f)(ii)). The statute explicitly states that after April 1, …
Continue reading “Navigating Michigan’s “One Recordable Event” Rule”
In a typical real estate transaction, there’s often a critical period between the closing and the official recording of documents—a period aptly known as the “gap.” This “gap” introduces a degree of risk, leaving room for unexpected encumbrances like liens or adverse judgments to rear their heads before the ink dries on the transaction documents. …
Continue reading “Beyond Closing: The Power of a Gap Indemnity”
In a recent legal development, the 11th US Circuit issued a consequential verdict in Shen v. Simpson, a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s Conveyances to Foreign Entities Act (SB 264), which restricts individuals from China and other “foreign countries of concern” from owning real property in the state. This ruling has far-reaching implications for the constitutional …
Continue reading “Florida’s Foreign Entities Act Declared Unconstitutional in Recent Ruling”
In our prior posts, we discussed the two issues that should be at the forefront of any branding strategy: Avoiding potential trademark infringement claims, and Protecting the business’ brand through trademarks In this post, we briefly discuss how cannabis businesses can implement employment agreements to further protect their intellectual property. Terminating an employment relationship carries …
In our previous post, we discussed how a cannabis business can take steps to avoid potential trademark infringement claims. In this release, we will discuss how a cannabis business can use trademarks for brand protection – despite the fact that federal law prohibits filing a cannabis-related trademark. Acquiring State Trademarks The most obvious (and widespread) …
Continue reading “How To Protect Your Cannabis Trademarks in a Legal Landscape That Is Half-Baked”
Over a decade has passed since recreational cannabis began to see legalization at the state level. Yet cannabis businesses continue to grapple with protecting their brands, as trademark protection at the federal level remains unavailable. The current hodgepodge of state trademark regimes will undoubtedly result in litigation and a race to register federal marks once …
On August 22, 2023, a split panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals held that the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) violated the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) by promulgating a new rule establishing drinking water standards for seven PFAS[1] compounds. The required regulatory impact statement (RIS) did not consider compliance costs associated …
Continue reading “Michigan Court of Appeals Strikes State PFAS Drinking Water Standards”
Four significant bills that will undoubtedly impact cannabis regulation in Nevada were recently signed into law by Nevada State Governor Joe Lombardo (R). The legislation makes a series of amendments to the state’s existing cannabis laws, including minimizing penalties and fees, reforming sales tax law, doubling the legal personal possession limit, consolidating licensing rules, and …
Continue reading “Nevada’s Cannabis Industry Takes Another Step Forward”