Unlocking the Law

Brandon Grysko
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Business
  • Updated Bimonthly

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.

  1. 23h ago

    The Michigan Library Nobody Would Save | Robert Donovic

    Rob Donovic, who spent years on Livonia's city council, breaks down the numbers behind the 2019 closure of the Noble Library. What does it cost to renovate a 15,000 square foot building? Why did the RFP's own terms ruled out most for profit buyers before anyone even applied? And would it have been a smarter move to tear the library down and put the land back on the tax rolls? We answer all of these questions plus: → What Livonia voters gave up when they rejected the bond → Why commercial buildings age nothing like a house → A quick tease of the Sandburg boiler situation Rob, thanks for coming on the show to talk about libraries, budgets, and Livonia politics with me. I appreciate you making the time, brother! *Chapters* 0:00 Welcome back and Rob's background 0:42 Military service, real estate, and the family diner 1:53 Why local stories hit harder than legal ones 4:07 Setting up the Noble Library debate 5:21 How Livonia city council terms actually work 6:26 Noble Library's history and the 2019 closure 7:48 Walking the building and finding the mold 8:49 The case for one consolidated library 9:42 Could the land just be sold instead 10:49 The task force, the RFP, and zero bids 11:29 Breaking down the real cost to renovate 20:20 The bond Livonia voters rejected 21:14 What the city gave up in tax revenue 24:01 Why commercial buildings age differently than homes 26:09 Teasing the Sandburg boiler situation  ~~~ This episode is brought to you by Fausone & Grysko, PLC https://www.thefgfirm.law/ *Prefer to listen? https://pod.link/1849177096

  2. Jul 24

    Only 2% Of Cases Ever Make It To Trial | Jack Gilbreath

    Jack 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/

  3. Jul 10

    They Said The Records Didn't Exist | Carol Beth Litkouhi

    Carol 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/

  4. Jun 26

    Spitfire Linda! | Linda Ferrante

    Linda 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/

  5. Jun 12

    An Attorney's Argument Against the Wayne County Transit Millage | Matthew Wilk

    Matthew 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/

  6. May 29 ·  Video

    A Lifelong Livonia Resident on What His City Got Wrong | Jim Biga

    Jim 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/

  7. May 8

    A Lawyer Answers the Questions Livonia Actually Wants to Ask

    Most 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/

  8. Apr 24

    Faith, Failure, and Building a Company From Scratch | Dillon England

    Dillon 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/

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Grysko
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unlocking the Law