October 2010
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Chair's Letter from
Robert T. (Bob) Wilson
As the recently elected chair of the Business Law Section, it is my privilege to welcome you to a new year for the Section and the full range of activities, publications, and meetings provided to our members. Before outlining some of the outstanding opportunities the Section has to offer, I'd like to thank immediate past Chair Dee Dee Fuller for her extraordinary service to the Section over the past year, including her role in revising the Section's Strategic Plan. Well done. I'd also like to recognize another past chair, Alex DeYonker, who received the Section's Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award following our Annual Meeting on September 23. This is a singular honor and a well-deserved one. Congratulations Alex.
Although our State continues to struggle in the throes of a deep economic downturn, the Business Law Section remains a financially sound and vital organization. Michigan needs your dedicated service. Please consider how you can contribute to the Section and help us pursue our important mission: "to foster the highest quality of professionalism and practice in business law and enhance the legislative and regulatory environment for conducting business in Michigan."
Join a Committee
One of the primary focuses of the Section is the good work done by our committees. If you haven't already done so, please get involved as they kick off their activities for the new year. They encompass the following areas:
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Laws
- Debtor/Creditor Rights
- Financial Institutions
- In-House Counsel
- Law Schools
- Nonprofit Corporations
- Regulation of Securities
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Unincorporated Enterprises
Find further information concerning each committee and contact information for our committee chairs on the committees page.
Write an Article
The Section's signature publication, the Michigan Business Law Journal, is published three times a year and contains a wealth of useful information for practitioners in all areas of business law. The Journal is always seeking articles and suggestions for articles of general interest to Section members.
View the Journal Archives.
Attend a Meeting
In addition to the many committee meetings held throughout the year, the Section sponsors a variety of forums, seminars, and programs that provide continuing legal education to our members and the chance to interact with other business lawyers with a wide variety practices. The Section's governing Council meets quarterly. The next Council meeting is being held on December 4, 2010, at Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, an opportunity for members from the West side of Michigan to attend. If you are unable to attend any other BLS gatherings, it's not too early to mark your calendars and plan to attend the 23rd Annual Business Law Institute being held May 6-7, 2011, at the Inn at St. John's, Plymouth. This longstanding event is one of the premier opportunities for Michigan business lawyers to gather in a collegial setting while learning about the latest developments in business law. I Hope to see you there.
Securities Law Information
The minutes of the most recent meeting of the Regulation of Securities Committee reported on progress on the implementation of provisions of the new Michigan Uniform Securities Act, which was effective October 1. It received a report that the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation, which has issued draft rules under the new Uniform Act, is considering issuing a fifth transition order under the Act. More information is available in the committee report.
UCC Article 9 Info
The Section's UCC Committee, chaired by Pat Mears, routinely updates members on critical changes relevant to many business law practitioners. Most recently, the committee report included information from the American Bar Association. This report reminds us of a new term soon to be relevant in many Article 9 matters: "public organic record." Please review the committee report, available on the Section's website, for this information, as well as other helpful information.
November 8-9—Business Boot Camp 2-day seminar (Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids)
December 4—Councl Meeting (Cooley Law School, Grand Rapids)
January 27-28—Business Boot Camp 2-day seminar (Inn at St. John's, Plymouth)
Other Events
October 24-27—District Export Council Conference (Marriott Renaissance Center)
