When an OTS (“Other-than-Serious”) citation is issued, it can be tempting to view it as a cost of doing business and simply pay the relatively low penalty amount and move on. However, employers should always consider the merits of the citation and the likelihood your company could be cited again for the same conduct.
Legal Resources & News
Breaking Legal News, Guides & Counsel
Why Workplace Safety Isn’t Just a Regulation, It’s a Business Imperative
In today’s dynamic business environment, prioritizing workplace safety is not just about adhering to regulations but also ensuring your employees avoid catastrophic injuries and make it home at the end of the day. Secondly, it is a fundamental aspect of responsible business operations and a crucial driver of long-term success.
Court Pauses Michigan Energy Efficient Building Codes Amid Legal Challenge
On July 7, Judge James Robert Redford issued an Order staying implementation of the Residential Building Code and Michigan Uniform Energy Code updates. The proposed updates in question were aiming to increase energy efficiency in homes. Learn more about the allegations of improper “cost-effective” analysis and the implications it could have on single family home construction.
Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Broad Limitation on Short Term Rentals
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025 the Michigan Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Court of Appeals’ ruling from July of 2023 “by equal division of the Court”, meaning that a
majority of the Justices did not reach a common basis for resolution. This leaves the Court of Appeals decision intact and binding, which had held that private lake
community restrictions prohibiting property owners from using their properties as short- term rentals (Melvin R. Berlin Revocable Trust et al. v. Thomas C. Rubin et al.).
Senate Bill 49 creates more Ambiguity for the Timely Issuance of MIOSHA Citations
Proposed Senate Bill 49 revises various sections of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act), including §33, the section that addresses the time frame by which MIOSHA must issue a citation after an inspection. Unfortunately, SB 49, does nothing to nail down the outside limits of when MIOSHA must issue a citation, only further muddying that question.
Corporate Transparency Act Updates – 2025
Changes to the enforceability and reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act are evolving monthly! In this blog post, Hilger Hammond attorneys Jill Miller and Ron Reynolds track, evaluate, and explain these changes in real-time and provide legal insight into how they could affect your business operations.
New Legal Challenges to FTC Non-Compete Ban
On August 20, 2024, a federal district judge in Texas issued a ruling blocking implementation of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Rule banning non-compete agreements on a nationwide basis; concluding that the FTC lacked statutory authority to promulgate the Rule. Learn more about what this ruling means for Michigan businesses and how you can ensure you’re prepared.
Michigan Minimum Wage & Employee Paid Leave Initiatives Ruled Unconstitutional
On August 31, 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a significant decision that will have a major impact on employers for both minimum wage and employee paid leave. Here, we condense and simplify the 7 main components of the decision and provide counsel on what businesses should do next.
Federal Trade Commission Issues Ban on Employee Noncompete Agreements
On April 23, 2024, the FTC banned employer noncompete agreements with limited exceptions. Learn more about its business impact here.
Michigan Overturns Open & Obvious Law
New changes to the Michigan Open & Obvious Law leave Michigan property owners open to more liability lawsuits. Learn more about the comparative fault doctrine and how to protect your business.