Foster Swift Municipal

The Michigan Supreme Court concluded today that Gov. Whitmer did not have authority after April 30, 2020, to issue or renew any executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic under the Emergency Management Act of 1976 ("EMA") or the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 ("EPGA"). To learn more about the decision and what happens next visit: www.fosterswift.com/communications-Michigan-Supreme-Court-Upends-Whitmers-Authority.html

The Michigan Supreme Court answered two legal questions certified by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and concluded today that Gov. Whitmer did not have authority after April 30 to issue or renew any executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic under the EMA or the EPGA.
https://courts.michigan.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/Clerks/Recent%20Opinions/20-21%20Term%20Opinions/In%20re%20Certified%20Questions-OP.pdf

Important perspective from two great litigators!

Foster Swift | Civil Lawsuits in the Wake of COVID-19 Watch attorneys Ray Littleton and Sydney Steele of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC on the Michigan Business Network in their interview with Chris Holman. While no one wants to be a defendant in a civil lawsuit, it is important to know exactly what to do when served with a Summons and Complaint.

Make sure your community is prepared as we approach November!

Election Guidelines for Public Bodies in Compliance with MCFA The Michigan Campaign Finance Act focuses on preventing public bodies and their employees from using taxpayer dollars to place their thumb on the scale of one view in any election or campaign. This includes any primary, general, special, or millage election.

Updates to Michigan Nursing Home COVID-19 Regulatory Requirements

Updates to Michigan Nursing Home COVID-19 Regulatory Requirements Through Executive Order 2020-136, Governor Whitmer has extended the duration of restrictions on the entry of visitors into health care facilities and residential care facilities.

What’s in a Name? Protecting Your Business’s Name from a Look-Alike

What’s in a Name? Protecting Your Business’s Name from a Look-Alike For any business, a name is a brand. A name is tied to a reputation, a marketing strategy, and a presence within an industry. But when does a company’s name cross the line into violating another company’s rights?

Congrats Judge Hillman!

Hillman Appointed Judge for 55th District Court of Ingham County Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Foster Swift attorney and shareholder Richard L. Hillman to the bench for 55th District Court of Ingham County.

Check out this webinar tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am ET, featuring FSCS's own Taylor Gast, discussing cyber security and data protection while you or your employees are working from home.

Cyber Security and Data Protection While Working Remotely Join us to learn details on cyber security and data protection during COVID-19 for small businesses working remotely. Don Cornish, Chief Information Security Officer | Dewpoint Taylor Gast, Attorney | Foster Swift Collins & PC

Michigan's Executive Order extended through April 30, 2020.

Executive Order 2020-42: "Stay-Home, Stay Safe" Order Extended until April 30 Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-42, updates and replaces her previous "stay-home, stay-safe order". EO 2020-42 extends the order through April 30, 2020, and modifies the travel exceptions for individuals and the restrictions on some businesses.

COVID-19 Executive Order impacts FOIA policy

Governor Temporarily Suspends Certain FOIA Deadlines On Sunday, April 5, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-38 (“EO-38”) to provide temporary extensions of certain deadlines under the FOIA during the COVID-19 crisis.

http://events.fosterswift.com/viewmailing.aspx?MailingId=40937&MailKey=1102506

events.fosterswift.com Since the state of emergency was declared, many public bodies have been grappling with how to fulfill Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests while still honoring the stay-at-home order. Employees of public bodies who have been working remotely often do not have access to the public record...

Governor Whitmer issues Executive Order No. 38 altering the processing of FOIA requests.