State Flag of Michigan

Five Stories That Matter in Michigan This Week – September 1, 2023

  1. Will Michigan High School Athletes Gain NIL Rights?

Michigan House Bill 4816, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti), would allow high school athletes in Michigan to profit from name, image and likeness (NIL) deals if passed.

Why it Matters: 19 states have laws that allow high school athletes to profit off of use of their NIL. The market for NIL deals is growing—various projections estimate that NIL revenue earned by athletes will top $1 billion this year.

———

  1. Fraser Trebilcock Lawyers Selected Among ‘The Best Lawyers in America©’ 2024 Edition in Lansing

Fraser Trebilcock is proud to announce that 10 attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 edition in Lansing. Only five percent of attorneys in Michigan are awarded with the honor.

Why it Matters: Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which almost 87,000 leading attorneys cast nearly ten million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas; because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Learn which Fraser attorneys were selected.

———

  1. Hosting an Event that Involves Cannabis in Michigan Requires Proper Licensing

As the legal cannabis industry continues to grow in Michigan, more events involving the consumption of cannabis are being hosted across the state. As the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) discussed in a recent information release, such events require proper licensing. Specifically, according to the CRA, “CRA rules require a person who allows consumption of marijuana products on the premises of a non-residential location – and charges a fee for entry, sells goods or services while individuals are consuming on the premises, or requires membership for entry – must acquire either a designated consumption establishment license or a temporary marijuana event license. An application for a temporary marijuana event license must be submitted 90 days prior to the date of the event.”

Why it Matters: Violations of requirements may result in disciplinary action.

———

  1. Housing Inequality May be on the Michigan Legislature’s Agenda this Fall

Recent news reports suggest that one of the Michigan’s legislature’s priorities for this fall will be to pass a slate of bills meant to address housing inequality. This may include a 15-20 omnibus bill package addressing issues such as (according to Mlive.com) “efforts to clarify the organizing rights of tenants, requiring landlords pay for the relocation of tenants with red-tagged buildings and establishing a standard criteria for what a housing inspector may consider a safe and livable dwelling.”

Why it Matters: With high mortgage rates and low for-sale housing inventory, affordable housing is a hot-button issue for many Michiganders. Data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Out of Reach report ranked Michigan 28th worst in the nation for rental affordability.

———

  1. Business Education Series – Practical A.I. Business Solutions

Explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in the business landscape during our Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series.

Why it Matters: From understanding the capabilities of AI models like ChatGPT to creating customized workflows using API integrations and automation tools, discover how AI can drive innovation and efficiency across industries. Learn more.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Higher Education | Ryan Kauffman
Real Estate | Jared Roberts
Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher