Collections actions involving the sale of goods often include two varieties of “account” claims in addition to traditional breach of contract theories: “account stated” and “open account.” Generally, an account stated claim alleges the failure to pay an agreed-upon balance, while an open account claim alleges an agreement to hold open a line of credit…

The Michigan legislature cannot change public employees’ compensation without input from the State Civil Service Commission. Pension contributions are part of an employee’s compensation. Consequently, the Michigan legislature violated Michigan’s Constitution by altering pension contributions for public employees without input from the Commission. This, in a nutshell, was the Court of Appeals’ conclusion in Michigan…

In Bailey v Schaaf, released July 30, 2013, Michigan’s Supreme Court considered the liability of a landlord who hired a security guard company whose guards busied themselves handling an intoxicated person and allegedly ignored a report about someone brandishing a gun and threatening to kill. Bailey was shot and seriously injured. The trial court granted…