Mike, with my limited experience in the gi, I can at least give you this advice that works for me.
1) Don't let them grab your lapel
2) if the grab your lapel, you better grab their lapel.(hand for hand)
3) if they have one hand on the lapel, at all costs, don't let them grab your gi or lapel with the other hand- a choke or a pass is imminent.
Rock your brown belt. Be the aggressor. Your nogi techs work well in the gi too. Lock em down, you'll see what I'm talking about.