Becker & Poliakoff

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Our attorneys are thought leaders in their field who keep our clients updated on the latest developments in their areas of interest. Explore our robust library of articles, blog posts, guidebooks, media commentary, and news.

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Everything You Need to Know About Concrete Restoration Projects with Alessandra Bianchini, of Carousel Development and Restoration Inc.

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! At some point, every building will require concrete repairs and restoration. If you’ve ever undertaken a concrete restoration project, you’re aware of the many challenges they entail:  substantial costs, lengthy time delays, irritation over hurricane shutters, windows and doors, uncooperative owners and the potential […]

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Understanding How to Handle your Association’s Insurance Claim with Public Insurance Adjuster Ken Shriberg

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Various types of casualty events, including fires, floods, explosions, windstorms, and even the unavoidable burst water pipe, will likely occur at some point in your community’s lifespan which means your board will have to submit an insurance claim. That process can make your association […]

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Community Update – February 2024

This issue of CUP features a helpful guide for board members, information on new term limits, and tips to save money on your property taxes. Don’t miss our featured podcast episode, “Navigating Defamation Lawsuits and Non-Compete Clauses!” Employers are relying more and more on independent contractors instead of employees. While using independent contractors can have […]

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Not In My Backyard! Regulating Short-Term Vacation Rentals with Texas Attorney David Schwarte

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! It’s a complex issue that is reshaping neighborhoods and communities across the country. We are talking about Airbnb, a homestay rental experience that has quickly become a major disruptor in the global hospitality industry. It’s also become a major security concern in many private […]

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Navigating Defamation Lawsuits and Non-Compete Clauses with Keith Grumer, of Grumer Law

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! The topic of defamation has become more prevalent as civil discourse has eroded. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the rare board member and/or manager who has not been subject to some form of potential slander or libel throughout their course of community association service. Host Donna […]

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Take It To The Board Podcast Ranks in the Top 10% of Most Popular Podcasts by Listennotes.com

Becker is thrilled to announce our Take It To The Board podcast ranks in the top 10% of most popular podcasts globally by podcast search engine and database, ListenNotes.com.  Additionally, the podcast’s listen score, a metric that shows the estimated popularity compared to all public podcasts in the world, ranks 28. There are more than […]

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CALL ALERT: Strike-All Amendment to HB 1021

Representative Lopez’s HB 1021 just passed the Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee with a strike-all amendment without objection and will be heard next in the State Administration & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. The Senate counterpart to this bill, Senator Bradley’s SB 1178, does not currently match up.

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Everybody’s Sick: The Best Ways to Prevent Illness in a Multifamily Community with Dr. Jason Mansour of Broward Health

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Does it seem like everyone around you is coughing, sniffling, or under the weather? It’s no coincidence—we’re currently in the middle of cold and flu season. Join Donna DiMaggio Berger and guest Dr. Jason Mansour, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Broward Health, to learn the best ways […]

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Community Update – January 2024

The 2024 Legislative Session promises to bring sweeping changes to community association operations throughout Florida. In this issue of CUP, we highlight which bills we are watching, the Corporate Transparency Act, and the possibility of self-insurance. Don’t miss our weekly online legislative briefing with Bryony Swift. Also featured this month is our popular podcast, Take […]

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CALL ALERT: Fresh News on The Estoppel Bill (CS/SB 278)

This is the second in a series of weekly updates, each focusing on a Bill that we at CALL believe deserves your close attention. To those of you who answered our call to reach out to legislators on the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee last week, thank you. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee adopted a strike […]

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CALL ALERT: The Estoppel Bill – Throwing the Baby Out with the Bathwater

As you may know, the 2024 Legislative Session commenced last Tuesday and promises to be one of the most active in recent memory.  This alert is the first in a series of weekly updates, each focusing on a Bill that we at CALL believe deserves your close attention.  The first Bill we will focus on […]

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Practical Policies & Protocols Your Board Needs to Adopt with Claude Jennings, Jr.

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! What’s the secret to a highly functioning community association? Host Donna DiMaggio Berger and Take It To the Board’s producer, Claude Jennings Jr. look back on Take It To The Board’s 2023 season and revisit some of the most important conversations about community association living while answering listener […]

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CALL ALERT: 2024 Legislative Session Gets Underway!

The 2024 Legislative Session begins this week, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and promises to bring sweeping changes to community association operations throughout Florida. Today’s CALL Alert provides our clients with an update on the bills filed to date, and lets you know which ones we are watching closely as they pass through the committee […]

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“Is Self-Insurance Possible For Community Associations?” – Florida Community Association Journal

Insurance premiums have always constituted a significant percentage of most community association budgets, but astronomical increases in recent years have completely changed the budget landscape. In addition to unaffordable premiums, many insurers are denying full replacement cost coverage, demanding roof replacement for roofs that are still functioning, and/or pushing for complete exterior hurricane protection in […]

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Eyes Everywhere – Understanding Community Surveillance Options with Louis DiGioia of IC Real Time

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Ever wondered how a camera can pick out a face in the crowd or if that gym security camera is a watchful guardian or an intrusive eye? Discover the intricate dance between security and privacy in our neighborhoods, as host, Donna DiMaggio Berger, sits down […]

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Community Update – December 2023

A new year means new goals! As we turn the corner into 2024, this issue of CUP spotlights helpful tips so your community association can start the year off right. This includes adoption of the annual budget, a review of new legislation, and the responsibilities of residents in communal situations. Don’t miss our featured podcast […]

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Mission Complete! Becker’s Board Member Bootcamp Dubbed a Huge Success

   “I think every member of the board should attend these”   “An engaging presentation”   “The content is great”   “This gets us excited to be board members”   “I’ve learned so much”   On November 14, more than 150 board members and managers from across South Florida gathered in Davie for Becker’s […]

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Contemplating Condo Terminations with John Cadden of the Condominium Advisory Group

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Is your older, cash-strapped condominium or cooperative association contemplating a termination and/or sale to a developer? The once rare ideas of a termination and sale have now become much more common as community members struggle to maintain, repair and insure older buildings. Host Donna DiMaggio […]

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2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 34 Becker Attorneys

The 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the oldest and most revered peer review publications, recognizes 34 Becker attorneys across the Firm’s practices. Our own Steven B. Lesser, was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year, a distinction based on the highest overall peer feedback for their specialty and location. Lesser […]

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The B Word: Bankruptcy, Its Benefits and Challenges with Attorney Jeffrey Bast

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! This episode of Take It To The Board sheds light on a legal process that may be needed to help both struggling associations and their individual members. In these challenging economic times, more people are asking whether filing for bankruptcy protection is the right […]

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Community Update – November 2023

As 2023 comes to an end, community associations are beginning to plan for the coming year. This issue of CUP provides helpful insight so your community can put its best foot forward. Whether you’re looking to combine operating funds with reserve money, struggling with the property insurance crisis, or need a new online voting platform, […]

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Show Me the Money: Investment Strategies with Michael Coady and Kenny Polcari of Slatestone Wealth

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Financially strapped community associations are always looking for new revenue sources but is a sound investment strategy a possible path to avoiding large budget increases or special assessments? In this episode, host Donna DiMaggio Berger, along with investment gurus Michael Coady, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for […]

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Saving Lives in Your Community Association: Defibrillators (AEDs), Bleeding Control Kits (BCKs), and CERTs with Dr. Jason Mansour

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Does your community association have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) or a Bleeding Control Kit (BCK) on hand in the worst-case scenario and do you have trained people on hand to use these devices? Do you have a gym, pickleball/tennis courts, and other recreational […]

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Webinar: Fixing Florida’s Property Insurance Crisis

 An unprecedented number of property owners in the Sunshine State are being abruptly dropped by their long-time carriers. Others are seeing premium rates increase by as much as 200% (or more!) while having to replace their roofs or pay for other expensive upgrades just to stay insurable. What can be done to fix this […]

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Community Update – October 2023

Special Notice TEN-HUT BOARD MEMBERS AND MANAGERS! The Buzz is in the air… Becker’s Board Member Boot Camp is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! Join us on Tuesday, November 14, from 9:30AM – 3PM EST, at the Signature Grand, in Davie, Florida. Come prepared to be put through your paces by veteran community association attorneys, Donna […]

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