Practice Areas

Formation

Business Entity Formation

The first and most consequential legal decision for any new business is the choice of entity. That choice affects liability exposure, taxation, governance, and the ease with which ownership can be transferred or the business can be sold. Attorney Newman guides clients through that decision and handles all aspects of the formation process.

Entity Selection

• Advising on the appropriate structure — corporation, limited liability company, or other form — based on the client's goals, ownership structure, and operational needs
• Comparison of Michigan corporate forms and their implications for governance, taxation, and liability

Michigan Corporations

• Preparation and filing of Articles of Incorporation with the State of Michigan
• Organizational resolutions and initial corporate minutes
• Issuance of stock and initial capitalization matters
• Registered agent and compliance requirements

Michigan Limited Liability Companies

• Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization with the State of Michigan
• Drafting of comprehensive Operating Agreements — the governing document of the LLC
• Member rights, management structure, capital contributions, distributions, and transfer restrictions
• Single-member and multi-member LLC structures

Documentation

Foundational Corporate Documents

The governing documents of a business entity define how the company is managed, how decisions are made, what rights each owner holds, and what happens when disputes arise or an owner wants to exit. Attorney Newman drafts these documents with precision, anticipating the issues that tend to arise and addressing them clearly from the outset.

For Corporations

• Bylaws governing board structure, officer roles, meeting procedures, and voting requirements
• Shareholder agreements addressing ownership rights, transfer restrictions, and buy-sell provisions
• Buy-sell agreements — including triggering events, valuation mechanisms, and funding structures
• Employment and non-competition agreements for key principals

For Limited Liability Companies

• Operating Agreements tailored to the specific ownership and management structure of the company
• Member control agreements and buyout provisions
• Amendments to existing operating agreements as the business changes

Ongoing Representation

Corporate Counsel Throughout the Life of the Enterprise

The legal needs of a business do not end at formation. As a company grows, takes on new owners, enters contracts, faces disputes, or prepares for a transition, experienced corporate counsel makes a difference. Attorney Newman serves as outside general counsel to his business clients, providing practical advice on the legal questions that arise in the ordinary course of running a Michigan business.

Governance & Compliance

• Annual meetings, resolutions, and corporate recordkeeping
• Amendments to articles of incorporation, articles of organization, bylaws, and operating agreements
• Michigan annual report requirements and ongoing state compliance

Ownership & Transitions

• Admission of new members or shareholders
• Buyouts of departing owners — voluntary and involuntary
• Transfers of ownership interests
• Restructuring of ownership arrangements

Business Contracts & Transactions

• Review and drafting of commercial contracts
• Asset purchase and sale agreements
• Business succession planning from a corporate law perspective

Creditor's Rights

Creditor Representation & Commercial Collections

The firm represents creditors only. It does not represent debtors or consumers seeking to file for bankruptcy, and does not handle Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 filings for individuals. Representation in this area is limited to businesses, lenders, and other creditors pursuing what they are owed.

When a customer, borrower, or business debtor stops paying, a creditor's options are governed by a mix of Michigan collection law and federal bankruptcy procedure. Attorney Newman represents creditors in protecting and pursuing their claims — before, during, and after a bankruptcy filing by the party that owes them.

Commercial Collections

• Demand and pre-litigation recovery of business debts and unpaid accounts
• Collection litigation in Michigan courts on behalf of businesses and lenders
• Enforcement of judgments, garnishments, and liens

Creditor's Rights in Bankruptcy

• Preparing and filing proofs of claim on behalf of creditors
• Motions for relief from the automatic stay
• Objections to discharge and to plan confirmation where a creditor's interests are at stake
• Protecting secured and unsecured creditor positions throughout the proceeding