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Commercial Litigation

Emerging Contaminants, Emerging Concerns

Most contaminants share a common trait: stop its release and the ecosystem will dilute the concentrations or degrade the contaminant until it is no longer a threat to human health or the environment. Yet greater attention and scrutiny is now being focused on the potential harmful effects of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), substances that appear to be highly mobile, easily enter the hu

FBMJ Attorneys Co-author Article on Perfluoroalkyl Substances – in Fall Issue of the SBM Environmental Journal

FBMJ attorneys Richard Baron, Benjamin Fruchey and Nicholas Andrew co-authored “Perfluoroalkyl Compounds: An Emerging Contaminant in Michigan,” published in the Fall 2017 issue of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Journal.  The article focuses on the impact of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as emerging contaminants in the State of Michigan, while also providing a genera

RICO, Nuisance Lawsuits Pop Up Against Medical Marijuana Businesses

It used to be the stuff of Hollywood movies featuring organized crime. Yet, while the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board is formulating the regulations that will govern medical marijuana growers, processors, transportors and dispensers in Michigan, courts in a number of states are issuing rulings that will allow marijuana grow operations – even if compliant with state regulations – to

FBMJ Attorneys Co-Author Article for CLM – “When Water Becomes Waste”

Richard Baron, Ben Fruchey and Nicholas Andrew co-authored “When Water Becomes Waste,” published in the June, 2017 issue of CLM Magazine. The article focuses on the significant growth in insurance claims related to the release of water extracted from the ground as a byproduct of oil and gas production, often involving hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and the importance of understanding the pot

Richard Baron to Speak at 2017 Perrin Conferences’ Environmental Risk & Litigation Conference

FBMJ attorney Richard Baron will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Perrin Environmental Risk & Litigation Conference to be held June 20, 2017 at the Westin New York at Times Square in New York City. Rich will be the moderator and part of a panel of experienced environmental practitioners and insurance industry personnel examining relevant environmental issues. Their panel presentation titl

Solid, Liquid or Gas: What’s the Matter with Vapor Intrusion?

Imagine yourself as the owner of a small company that is looking for additional office space needed to expand your business. Lo and behold, you find the perfect commercial building, on a busy street, in the town you want to be in, and at the right price. You scoop up the building, noting only in passing that the adjacent business is a large gas station. Your company moves in, and business is good,

FBMJ Attorneys Co-Author Article for CLM on Flint Water Crisis – “Tragedy on Tap”

Richard Baron and Ben Fruchey co-authored “A Tragedy on Tap,” published in the May 2016 issue of Claims Management Magazine. The article focused on issues surrounding the Flint, Michigan water crisis that are of interest to claims professionals and attorneys, concentrating on the claims and litigation aspect of the recent crisis.“A Tragedy on Tap” included a summary of the underlying facts

Richard Baron Reports on Mixing Zone Closure Request for the City of Marquette Cliffs Dow Site

Attorney Richard Baron recently presented to the City of Marquette City Commission about the former Cliffs-Dow site, in a work session and at the Commission’s public meeting on March 14, 2016. He updated the Commission on the steps being taken to improve the opportunities for future productive use of the property, a 46-acre site located on the shores of Lake Superior, which was impacted by legac