The Osborn Business Association
Donovan McCarty, Melanie Shield, Jake Hogg, Chuck Oxender, Shaquari Everson and Brittany Davis.
The Osborn Business Association (OBA) is one component of the Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, a neighborhood coalition that works as a partner with residents to make the neighborhood a community of choice. OBA works with organizations like the New Economy Initiative to provide training, advice, legal services and other tools to entrepreneurs in the Northeast Detroit neighborhood, to support and promote local business.
Miller Canfield Chairman Emeritus Thom Linn grew up in the Osborn neighborhood and initiated the firm’s involvement with OBA. Entrepreneurs apply to join OBA cohorts, through which they interface with professionals in the legal, accounting, and business development fields over the course of roughly two months. Miller Canfield attorneys give a presentation to each cohort of entrepreneurs on a wide array of legal issues that emerging businesses commonly encounter. Additionally, after graduation from the OBA program, two participants are selected to receive pro bono legal assistance in the formation of their companies.
Several Miller Canfield attorneys are currently very active with the association, including Donovan McCarty, Melanie Shield and Jake Hogg. Other attorneys who offered support this year included Chuck Oxender, Shaquari Everson and Brittany Davis. In 2017, Miller Canfield attorneys helped 14 businesses file LLCs, including a tax service provider, tea brewer, and a media company.
Sincere thanks to everyone for supporting this vibrant community!
"Juggalos" case against the Government
Emily Palacios
Principal, Ann Arbor, MI
If you were unfamiliar with Juggalos and the band Insane Clown Posse when their dispute with the government began in 2011, you’ve probably heard of them now. Insane Clown Posse, more commonly referred to as “ICP,” is a hardcore hip hop group with an extremely loyal fan following. Fans of the group refer to themselves as “Juggalos,” and they share not only a strong connection to ICP’s music, but to each other as a social group. In 2011, the Justice Department’s National Gang Intelligence Center classified the Juggalos as a “loosely organized hybrid gang.”
In 2014, the band sued the Justice Department and the FBI, demanding retraction the classification. The government immediately moved for dismissal on several technical grounds. It was at that point Emily began her involvement with the case, taking the lead in drafting the Juggalos' response to the dismissal motion, and then successfully appealing dismissal of their complaint to the Sixth Circuit Court. After remand, Unfortunately, the lower court again dismissed on technical grounds in 2015, which the Juggalos appealed. Things began to heat up in September 2017, when ICP and thousands of Juggalos marched on Washington to protest the classification and make a statement about their shared love of the music and support for each other.
Emily represented the Juggalos at oral argument before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 11. Emily continues to fight for the right of self-expression in its many forms. Thank you, Emily for being a First Amendment and pro bono champion!
Miller Canfield Attorney Stan Stek Wins Michael J. Barnes Award
Stan Stek
Principal, Grand Rapids, MI
Please click here to be linked to the full press release regarding Stan's award!
