Podcast
Unlocking the Law
Hosted by Brandon Grysko · EN
Unlocking the Law with Brandon Grysko pulls back the curtain on real-world legal stories that business owners don't hear until it's too late. Blending engaging true cases, hard-earned lessons, and candid legal insight to help business owners, CEOs, and executive directors avoid costly mistakes. Join us every episode as Brandon unpacks the "how" and "why" behind legal pitfalls that can derail a company.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Listening does not create an attorney–client relationship.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Only 2% Of Cases Ever Make It To Trial | Jack Gilbreath
1w ago00:53:08Tap to summarizeJack Gilbreath has been on every side of a courtroom. He became a trial attorney and a judge. It all started with an invoice: Jack handed a client a bill outside Washtenaw Circuit Court, who looked at him and said he never thought it would cost that much. Even though Jack explained the process,. The client didn't understand. That communication gap is where most legal relationships go sideways. In this episode of Unlocking The Law, we covered: → Where Gilbreath's Paradigm came from → Why clients hear their attorney and still don't understand what's coming → The jargon that trips people up → What changes when a lawyer becomes a client's counselor → What fairness looks like from the other side of the bench The clients who do the best in litigation are the ones who understand the deal before they sign it, not the ones who find out halfway through. Thanks Jack for making the time to sit down and walk through this. This conversation will definitely help others learn more and communicate better about the law. *Chapters* 00:00 Intro 01:00 Meet Jack Gilbreath, the judge who started as a social worker 05:27 The origin story: an invoice that shocked a client 09:07 Why clients stop listening the moment they walk in 13:27 Legal jargon, discovery, and the paradigm's two lines 20:16 Fairness from the bench and the Auburn Hills trial 24:36 Drawing the paradigm for clients in private practice 29:40 From attorney to trusted counselor 34:08 What judges control, and the 2 percent that go to trial 39:06 Bedside manner, jargon, and why the law touches everything ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →They Said The Records Didn't Exist | Carol Beth Litkouhi
3w ago01:14:16Tap to summarizeCarol Beth Litkouhi is a Rochester Community Schools board trustee who asked a simple question: what are kids actually learning in the new ethnic and gender studies class? After filing an FOIA request, she was told no records existed. She appealed but they stayed silent… Now she's in the middle of a First Amendment lawsuit. We got into: → Why parents were are pulling their kids from Rochester schools → The FOIA loophole that let a district claim curriculum didn't exist → What "the board speaks with one voice" costs voters → How a bylaw about confidential information got used to punish public speech Carol Beth, thank you for making the time to come on and walk through all of this! *Chapters* 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Who Carol Beth Is and What Set This Off 05:00 Running for School Board in 2022 09:20 What the Campaign Was Actually Like 12:00 Why Enrollment Was Declining 16:00 The Ethnic and Gender Studies Class and the FOIA Fight 19:00 Taking It to Court With the Mackinac Center 21:30 The Loophole in the Statute 32:00 The Academic Freedom Clause and What It Signals 35:00 The Tax Proposal and the Censure 41:00 What the Board Did Next 49:00 The Role of a Trustee and Who They're Accountable To 56:00 The First Amendment Lawsuit ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →Spitfire Linda! | Linda Ferrante
Jun 2601:01:02Tap to summarizeLinda Ferrante has been recruiting for 28 years. She co-founded RFT Search Group out of Farmington Hills, focused almost entirely on family-owned and privately held businesses. She's been published in the Wall Street Journal. She's appeared on national radio. And two months ago, she replied to a LinkedIn post and accidentally became Spitfire Linda on Reddit. Things we talked about in this episode: → Why a candidate asking about salary upfront is actually a sign of business sense → The hunter vs. farmer distinction and how to hire for the right one → How AI is being used on both sides of the hiring process, and where it's going wrong → Why small businesses get sued over documentation they never kept → What right to work actually means (it has nothing to do with at-will employment) Thank you Linda For sharing your story and your takes on recruiting! *Chapters* 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Meet Linda Ferrante and how she got into recruiting 4:00 - The LinkedIn post that started it all 6:00 - Going viral on Reddit as Spitfire Linda 8:00 - Is it wrong for a candidate to ask about comp upfront 14:00 - Hunter vs. farmer: hiring for the right behavior 19:00 - Should job postings include salary ranges 24:00 - How AI is being used in job postings and resumes 36:00 - How Linda uses AI in her own recruiting work 40:00 - Applicant tracking systems and disparate impact risk 44:00 - The commute problem and what the market actually supports 50:00 - Employer documentation mistakes that end up in court 55:00 - What right to work actually means and why people get it wrong 58:00 - Where to find Linda and RFT Search Group ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →An Attorney's Argument Against the Wayne County Transit Millage | Matthew Wilk
Jun 1201:25:34Tap to summarizeMatthew Wilk spent eight and a half years on the Northville School Board. He's a commercial real estate attorney who went on to work in lending. When House Bill 6088 passed during Michigan's lame duck session and removed Wayne County communities' right to opt out of the regional transit system, Matthew paid attention. In this episode we covered: → How Wayne County communities lost their opt-out rights during lame duck session and what that means for the upcoming millage vote → Matt's argument that the average SMART bus carries fewer than 4 passengers and what he says that means for the case being made for the millage → Why the ballot language uses the word "replace" and why Matt says that word is legally problematic → What happened in Oakland County in 2022 when SMART made similar bus line commitments to communities there Matt, thanks for coming on and walking through all of this in detail. *Update:* Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen McCarthy dismissed the lawsuit on June 1, 2026 https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/wayne-county-public-transportation-millage-on-ballot-lawsuit-dismissed/ *Chapters* 0:00 - Introduction: Matt Wilk and the Wayne County Transit Millage 1:22 - Matt's Background: School Board, Law, and Local Politics 2:41 - The History of Opt-Out Communities in Wayne County 4:29 - Livonia's Decision to Leave SMART in 2005 5:18 - Detroit Is an Opt-Out Community Too 6:42 - Lame Duck: How the Opt-Out Right Got Taken Away 10:14 - The Wayne County Transit Authority: A Body With Little Public Footprint 13:35 - The FOIA Request and the Alleged Missing Meeting 20:26 - The March 19th Social Media Post 22:08 - Open Meetings Act: What the Law Requires 24:43 - The Policy Case Against the Millage 25:04 - 3.88 People Per Bus: Breaking Down Wilk's Math 29:18 - Density, Detroit, and Wilk's Case Against Fixed Bus Lines 32:54 - Where the $57 Million Would Go 34:52 - Oakland County 2022: Unfulfilled Bus Line Commitments, Per Wilk 43:22 - The Cross-Party Nature of the Opposition 54:57 - Inside the Lawsuit: Alleged OMA Violations and Ballot Language Concerns 1:03:40 - The Word "Replace" and Why Wilk Says It's Legally Problematic 1:15:09 - What Happens Monday at 2:00 PM 1:22:10 - Closing and Where to Learn More ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →A Lifelong Livonia Resident on What His City Got Wrong | Jim Biga
May 2901:17:20Tap to summarizeJim Biga is a lifelong Livonia resident, a retired federal contracting professional, and the president of the Wolverine Dog Training Club. When the city began holding planning sessions around a proposed $150 million bond, Jim started attending and came away with questions. He says the plan changed at each session, costs were hard to pin down, and he felt his questions weren't getting direct answers. So he and a group of residents started showing up at council meetings and talking to neighbors at coffee shops and grocery stores. In April, 67% of Livonia voters said no to the bond proposal. In this episode of Unlocking the Law, we covered: → Why Jim believes the bond failed and what the "no" vote means for Livonia's future → His concerns about the cost of the proposed police station → How term limits changed Livonia politics in the 90s → What development at the Five Mile and Farmington site could look like → His questions about the SMART transit millage Jim, thank you for your time and for the detail you brought to this conversation. *Chapters* 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 1:00 - Jim Biga's Background: Growing Up in Livonia 5:12 - Career in Federal Contracting and Defense Acquisitions 7:11 - Dog Training, the Wolverine Club, and Why It Matters 9:00 - Jim's Brother and the Family Connection to Livonia Politics 10:09 - Getting Involved: Term Limits in the 1990s 18:11 - How the 2025 Bond Campaign Started 20:35 - Jim's Experience at the City Planning Sessions 24:18 - The Vote: 67% Said No 25:57 - The Police Station: Questions About How It Was Presented 33:18 - Breaking Down the Police Station Cost 39:04 - City Hall: Build New or Renovate? 51:18 - The Yellow Shirts Group and What's Next 55:18 - Redevelopment Ideas for Livonia 1:06:04 - Jim's Questions About the SMART Transit Millage 1:13:41 - Closing Thoughts and How to Stay Informed ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →A Lawyer Answers the Questions Livonia Actually Wants to Ask
May 800:58:50Tap to summarizeMost people never ask a lawyer a question until they absolutely have to. Our team posted in the All Things Livonia Facebook group and asked: "What legal questions are actually on your mind?" In this special Q&A episode, we covered: → Why the Sears building is still standing → Why workers' comp can cut you off mid-treatment → Medicare vs. Medicaid and what actually pays for assisted living → When municipalities can claim an undue burden → Why public opposition to a development isn't a legal reason to deny it → And so much more! Thank you so much to the All Things Livonia Facebook group for contributing to this episode of Unlocking The Law! *Chapters* 0:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview 1:21 - Livonia Community Q&A Begins 2:57 - Elder Law: Medicare vs. Medicaid for Assisted Living 5:39 - ADA Compliance and Municipal Obligations 9:19 - Workers' Comp: Why Employers Can Stop Paying Benefits 13:57 - The Sears Building: Condemnation and Eminent Domain 24:38 - Who Owns the Fence Between Properties? 27:26 - How Speed Limits Are Set in Michigan 30:28 - Why Cities Settle So Many Lawsuits 44:43 - Zoning Violations and Selective Enforcement 49:42 - Can Cities Stop Corporations from Buying Housing? 52:45 - Vacant Properties and Builder Responsibilities 55:41 - City Audits and Public Financial Records 57:55 - Wrap-Up and Upcoming Episodes ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →Faith, Failure, and Building a Company From Scratch | Dillon England
Apr 2401:03:03Tap to summarizeDillon England started a podcast on a whim because his wife suggested it. He had two mismatching microphones and a camera that cut out every 30 minutes. But afterwards, he knew he wanted to be in podcasting for the rest of his life. Dillon had worked in 100% commissions insurance sales and started a video editing company. Both didn't turn out the way he wanted, but it all lead him to discovering what he was destined to build... In our episode, we covered: → Why Dillon thinks using "I'm a Christian" as a sales pitch is a red flag → How faith shapes the way he runs his business day to day → What agency contracts actually need to protect you → When AI is good enough for legal questions → Why the failure you lived through might be the reason you succeed now Dillon built something real by failing at a lot of things first. But the thing that kept him going was a belief that the work itself was the point and that it wasn't about him. Dillon, thank you for being the guy behind so much of what makes this podcast work, and for finally sitting in the guest chair. You are open, honest, and authentic - loved every minute of our conversation! *Chapters* 0:00 - Welcome to Unlocking the Law 1:12 - Meet Dillon England: Podcast Producer, Entrepreneur, Christian 3:38 - Dillon's Business Journey 4:12 - $300 the Month He Got Married 5:20 - When COVID Hit, Everything Falls Apart 5:47 - The One Episode That Changed Everything 9:07 - How 313 Media Company Was Born 15:04 - Faith Journey: Adopted Into a Christian Home 18:26 - Dealing With Doubt and What Helped 21:23 - Why Creation Makes More Sense Than Nothing 25:34 - The Difference Between an Entrepreneur and a Christian Entrepreneur 34:06 - Has Faith Ever Conflicted With Business? 40:41 - Everyone's Mad All the Time: Social Media and Real Conversation 42:53 - Legal Issues in the Podcasting World 54:33 - What Startups Should Do When They Can't Afford a Lawyer 58:11 - AI as a Legal Resource: How Far Can You Take It? 1:01:15 - Wrap-Up and Where to Find Dillon ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →What Happens To A City When the Police Department Falls Apart | Tyler Vines
Apr 1000:27:46Tap to summarizeTyler Vines has been on the Livonia Police Department for nearly 14 years. He's been in patrol the whole time. Two months ago, he became president of the Livonia Police Officers Association. He walked into that role and straight into a crisis. Twenty-nine officers left the department in 2025. They hired five. The station they work out of is a patchwork of two buildings from the 1960s bolted together with a section added 40 years later. HVAC systems that require a call to DPW to adjust. Boilers breaking down with no parts available. A urinal pipe that leaked into the wall for weeks before anyone found it. The city is spending up to $400,000 a year just to keep the place standing. And in August, residents will vote on a millage renewal that funds officer wages, benefits, training, and equipment for the entire public safety department, police and fire alike. We covered: - What the millage actually funds and why the police station construction is a separate issue - How understaffing creates a feedback loop that drives more officers out - Why renovation isn't feasible and what a new building would actually require - What the union's priorities are heading into contract negotiations Livonia has a reputation for being one of the best departments in the state. The people there are good at their job. They show up. The question is whether the city is going to give them the tools to keep doing it. Tyler, thank you for coming in to record. This is exactly the kind of conversation Livonia residents need to hear before August. *Chapters* 0:00 - Welcome to Unlocking the Law 1:22 - Tyler Vines Introduction and Career Background 2:07 - The Grappling Hook Device: Livonia's New Pursuit Tech 4:19 - Police Chases, Liability, and Why Departments Are Pulling Back 6:09 - The Union's Priorities: Millage, Contract, and the New Station 7:08 - What the Millage Actually Funds (And Why Fire Is in the Conversation) 10:58 - Inside the Failing Building: What Officers Are Actually Working In 14:05 - Why Renovation Isn't Feasible 16:21 - Operating Under Construction: What It Actually Looks Like 18:44 - The Staffing Crisis: 77 Officers for a Department Budgeted for 107 22:20 - What Understaffing Actually Does to the Officers Who Stay 24:23 - Why Livonia Still Has a Reputation as One of the Best Departments Watch the Livonia PD Grappler Deployment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMFXpTfy3zc ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →The Fight for Livonia's Future | Brandon McCullough
Mar 2700:57:59Tap to summarizeBrandon McCullough has built his political reputation on saying exactly what he thinks. Sometimes, he told me, that's gotten him in trouble. When the millage proposal was shot down in August, Brandon was in the middle of it, putting his strong opinions out online. When the dust settled, he had to sit with the reality that the city he grew up in still needed a new police station and a community that no longer fully trusted the people trying to build it. Through that process, Brandon learned the hard way that humility in a leadership role goes further than being right. In our episode we cover: → What it cost to build the Northville Township essential services complex → Why the process of the Livonia police station debate mattered as much as its outcome → What's at stake if the operating millage doesn't pass → The state housing affordability bills and why local leaders are pushing back hard → How to actually move development east and what's stalling Livonia's corridors Brandon, thank you for your honesty and for your genuine care for this city. *Chapters* 0:00 - Introduction: Brandon McCullough and the Unlocking the Law Podcast 1:46 - Brandon's Career Background: Public, Private, and Nonprofit 2:08 - Northville Township's New Essential Services Complex 6:19 - How the Project Was Funded: Brownfield Money and Debt Service 7:04 - Livonia Police Station: What's Actually on the Table 9:24 - The Failed Millage and the New Council's Approach 12:31 - The Operating Millage: Why It Has to Pass 21:02 - Brandon's History Advocating for the Police Department 27:07 - Politics, Compromise, and the 24-Hour Rule 28:01 - Rotary Park Pavilion: A Win Nobody Wants to Admit 31:18 - State Housing Affordability Bills: Keep It Local 36:08 - The Real Housing Problem in Livonia: Senior Residents and Uncapped Taxes 41:13 - Infrastructure Capacity and Why Zoning Bills Miss the Point 47:58 - The Meijer Development: A Case Study in Getting It Right 53:42 - Pushing Development East on Plymouth Road 56:28 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Brandon ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →The Suburb That Secretly Controls Michigan Politics | Jay Murray
Feb 2001:00:02Tap to summarizeJay Murray is a contributing writer at the Michigan Enjoyer who holds White House press credentials and has spent the last two years covering Livonia from the inside. He's lived there almost his entire life. He loves the city... but he's also watched it stall. What he's found in Livonia surprised him... A suburb that still looks like 1982. A political machine dating back decades that still shapes Wayne County. Residents organizing in yellow shirts to protest chicken restaurants, car washes, and gas stations while an abandoned Sears building rots with dead animals inside. A city council caught between angry crowds and the law. In this episode of Unlocking The Law, we cover: → Why NIMBYism in Livonia has crossed into the absurd → The Sheetz gas station fight that nearly triggered a major lawsuit against the city → What's really going on inside the abandoned Sears building at 7 Mile and Middle Belt → And so much more! Something specific that stuck with me from my talk with Jay is how easily nostalgia becomes resistance. People aren't always fighting against something new; sometimes they're just holding on to what's familiar, even when what's familiar is a decaying building with no plan. Jay, thanks for coming on and bringing so much energy and honesty! *Chapters* 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Meet Jay Murray 4:00 - Why Livonia Quietly Shapes Michigan Politics 6:41 - The Grand Rapids Police Chief & the HBO Series 10:10 - What Is NIMBYism? And Why Is It Exploding? 13:18 - The Sheetz Gas Station Controversy 18:28 - Playing Both Sides: The Attorney's Perspective on Development 19:09 - Why Livonia Still Looks Like 1982 22:01 - Chicken Restaurants, Car Washes & Private Property Rights 28:04 - Zoning Law 101: What Cities Can and Can't Block 36:33 - The Abandoned Sears Building (and What's Living Inside It) 46:29 - Blight Enforcement: What Can the City Actually Do? 48:01 - A Homeless Man's Story and Suburban Safety 52:13 - What Would Make Jay Murray Put On a Yellow Shirt? 56:22 - Michigan Enjoyer Live Event & Closing ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/
Transcribe →