A multi-million dollar claim by business owner against a bank in Grand Traverse County Circuit Court arising from a bank account embezzlement by the business owner’s real estate partner.
Mr. Hanson represented Independent Bank in pursuing a claim for insurance coverage under an umbrella liability policy. The claim was removed to the federal district court, which agreed with the insurer’s defense and dismissed the action. The policy included language suggesting that it covered losses arising from discrimination loss in one section and excepted such claims from coverage in another. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the policy required the insurer to pay the costs of defending an employment discrimination lawsuit brought against the Bank by a terminated senior officer. 125 F.3d 983 (1997).
LP Hanson PC is a law firm located in Indian River, Michigan. We also practice Brankruptcy Law, Real Estate Law, write wills and other legal documents. Our office is located in a quaint cottage on a private farm along the shore of Indian River near Mullet Lake. We are conveniently located off of Exit 313 on I75. Learn more
Real Estate Transactions
Lawrence P. Hanson’s office is located on the shores of Mullett Lake in Indian River, Michigan where he has had a residence since 1987. He was raised in Fremont, Michigan and and maintained a home and office there in 2006 while he ran for Probate Judge. He has maintained a general civil law practice there since 2000, focusing on real estate transactions and litigation. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker.
In 1994, a client-bank was sued by the conservator of the guarantor whose son had allegedly systematically transferred or encumbered the bulk of his father’s estate for his own benefit pursuant to a guarantee and a 1988 Durable Power of Attorney. The Conservator filed a complaint in a cause of action against the Bank in order to enjoin any foreclosure of the encumbered property and to seek a declaration of the Bank’s respective rights and obligations. A temporary restraining order was granted enjoining the Bank from proceeding with foreclosure. In support of the motion the Bank obtained an expert determination supporting the authenticity of guarantor’s signature on the guarantee and its Motion for Summary Disposition was granted in its entirety.
He was formerly a partner in Bodman, Longley & Dahling’s Cheboygan Office. Prior to joining that firm in 1984, he was engaged in a general practice in Petoskey, Michigan. He started practicing with Legal Services of Northern Michigan, in its Alpena office, from 1979 to 1982, with a practice emphasis in consumer and bankruptcy law in an eight county area. He attended Muskegon Community College for two years, received his B.A. in history graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan in 1975 and his Juris Doctor from the Rutgers School of Law in 1979. He grew up in Fremont, Michigan.
Foreclosure
This action arose out of a Cheboygan County land contract foreclosure. The land contract specified a 12% post-default interest rate, which the mortgagors claimed was usurious. In a claim filed to block foreclosure, the vendees asserted that all interest payments collected should be applied to reduce the principal on the note. At both the trial court level and the appellate level, Mr. Hanson successfully argued that the post-default rate was not usurious. Costs were awarded against the opposing counsel. Leave to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court was denied.