Josh
Traeger
Josh is a small business attorney, a military veteran, and the founder of True North Legal Group in Traverse
City. When he’s not helping businesses navigate the law, you’ll find him biking the VASA trail, camping
with his family in the U.P., or racing in the Iceman Cometh Challenge each fall. He specializes in working
with Michigan-based small businesses—including guide services, rental shops, and eco-tourism
ventures—helping them scale safely and legally through fractional general counsel services and
practical legal education.
Sessions with Josh
Don’t Get Sued in the woods
2:15PM-3PM
Running an outdoor business in Michigan is exhilarating, messy, and full of risk—in all the best ways. But legal blind spots can turn an epic season into an expensive mistake. Learn to navigate the legal landscape of Michigan tourism and outdoor recreation without losing your entrepreneurial spark.
Break down key topics like liability waivers, seasonal employment, land use permissions, LLCs and insurance, independent contractor pitfalls, and what actually happens if a customer gets hurt on your watch. The goal isn’t to turn you into a lawyer—it’s to arm you with the real-world knowledge you need to ask better questions, make smart decisions, and sleep better at night.
Whether you’re launching a bike rental business, expanding your paddleboard tours, or just want to make sure your back-of-the-napkin idea doesn’t end up in court, this session will meet you where you are. Bring your questions, your wild ideas, and your appetite for keeping things both legal and awesome.
Park Bench
Sponsor