Varnum LLP

In April of 2012, MDEQ issued a mining permit under Part 632 of NREPA to Orvana Resources U.S. Corp for the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County. The mining permit was issued for a non-ferrous metallic mineral (copper)…more

On May 14, 2012, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) new rules governing union elections by finding that the NLRB did not have the three member quorum…more

As a practicing attorney who represents property owners on cell tower leases, and as the head of the Finance Team at my own church, I am particularly sensitive to churches being approached to extend the term of their existing…more

Last week the U.S. Department of Labor announced the withdrawal of the proposed child labor rule relating to children under the age of 16 who work in agriculture and emphasized that the rule would not be revisited for the…more

Social media continues to be in the news. The NLRB issued an "updated" summary of social media cases earlier this year and social media continues to find its way into court decisions. In 2011, the NLRB's General Counsel…more

On April 17, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit enjoined the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Notice Posting rule that requires employers large enough to be subject to the jurisdiction of…more

On April 5, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the "JOBS Act"). This legislation is the culmination of significant efforts to amend several aspects of the federal securities laws that…more

On March 30, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register requesting public comment on its plan to create a provisional waiver process for the unlawful…more

All liquor licenses issued by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), including all on premises, off premises, manufacturer, wholesaler, and importer licenses, are effective for periods of one year each, and…more

In addition to requiring expanded health coverage, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act imposes new reporting and disclosure requirements on employers and their group health plans. Some of these requirements become…more

Imagine yourself walking into a consultation with an attorney and receiving the following advice: "We're going to file a renuncia of the impedimento of 3 years that is currently against you in which we're going to have to prove…more

A recent decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals may serve as the basis for other homeowners to challenge what are likely to be thousands of sheriff's sales that occurred before the banks' mortgage interest was recorded. In a…more

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released updated Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) certification forms. These updated forms replace the previous forms that stated they expired on "December 31, 2011," and carry a…more

Topics covered: New Trade Association for Advanced and Renewable Energy Michigan Wind Turbine to be Manufactured Exelon Wind has Michigan Projects Bankruptcy Filings and Sale by Energy Innovator Michigan Shorts: Solar…more

Employers may first apply for 2013 H-1B visas for individuals not currently in H-1B status on April 2, 2012 with a start date of October 1, 2012. While the 2012 H-1B visa cap for individuals not currently in H-1B status was not…more