Becker & Poliakoff

In Memoriam – Gary A. Poliakoff (1944-2014)

Founding Shareholder

Credentials

    Education

      • University of South Carolina, B.S., 1966
        Selected by faculty and administration as one of the twelve outstanding seniors in Class of 1966; listed in Who’s Who in American Students; Student Senate
      • University of Miami, J.D., 1969
        Editor in Chief and Chairman of Publication of the Student Newspaper Slipsheet; Editor in Chief of Amicus Curiae, Yearbook, Senator, Student Bar Association, President of the Bar & Gavel Legal Society

    Bar Admissions

      • Florida, 1969
      • District of Columbia, 1971
      • Colorado, 1999

Perspectives

Bio

Gary Poliakoff was a founding principal of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. He served as the Firm’s Managing Shareholder for 35 years, from its inception in 1973 until March 2008.

Mr. Poliakoff devoted a significant part of his career to the practice of Community Association law and was considered one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Recognized internationally as an authority on common interest ownership housing, he was invited to serve as a consultant to State Legislatures and the White House in drafting common interest ownership housing legislation. He served as the American Bar Association’s Advisor to the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws in its efforts to revise the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. In addition, at the invitation of the Minister of Economics of the Czech Republic, he addressed the Parliament of the Czech Republic on issues relating to the conversion of State housing to private ownership, and, at the invitation of the Russian Academy of Jurisprudence, he lectured in Moscow on common interest ownership issues.

In 1990, Mr. Poliakoff served as a member of the State of Florida Condominium Study Commission and, in 1992 and 1993, as a member and chairman of the State of Florida Advisory Council on Condominiums. Twice he testified before Committees of the United States Senate looking into potential areas of abuse in the sale, development, and operation of condominiums. He served as chair of the H­ Group of the American Bar Association, which oversees the Common Interest Ownership Development Committee, the Sports Entertainment & Games Committee, the Hotel, Resorts & Tourism Committee, and the Timeshare & Interval Uses Committee.

He served on the Presidential Advisory Board of the University of South Carolina and as a member of the Board of Governors of the College of Community Association Lawyers. He was on the Board of Governors of the Shepard Broad Law Center of Nova Southeastern University where he was an Adjunct Professor, teaching Condominium Law and Practice. In 2008, Mr. Poliakoff was recognized as the outstanding Adjunct Professor of the Year for the teaching of Doctrinal Courses.

Later in his career, Mr. Poliakoff established himself as a Municipal Attorney. He assisted his own town of Southwest Ranches through their incorporation process and served for ten years as its Town Attorney. Upon his retirement in 2010, he was designated Town Attorney Emeritus.

RECOGNITION

Mr. Poliakoff received numerous honors and awards throughout his life.

  • He was listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.
  • He was the recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award presented by the American Jewish Committee in recognition of his outstanding work, nationally and internationally, in co-ownership housing and, specifically, for his efforts to raise the level of clarity and justness in the law.
  • He was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a Diamond Award Honoree for excellence in business leadership.
  • Florida Trend Magazine recognized Mr. Poliakoff for several consecutive years among its “Legal Elite.”
  • He was selected by the Miami Herald as one of the “Top Florida Lawyers.” Mr. Poliakoff was also selected by Florida Super Lawyers magazine and was listed in “The Best Lawyers of America” as one of the best Municipal Law Practitioners in America.
  • Mr. Poliakoff was designated by the Broward County Commissioners and the Broward County Historical Commission as a “Pioneer” for his efforts in the growth and development of Broward County, Florida.
  • In 2011, Mr. Poliakoff was recognized by the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) with its highest achievement, the Gurdon Buck Award for his contribution to the development, nationally, of the field of Community Association Law.