Eight Community Association and Litigation Attorneys Join Becker, Expanding Condo, Co-Op & HOA Practice in Tampa
May 5, 2025 – Tampa, FL — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals in offices throughout the East Coast, announced that eight community association and litigation lawyers will join the firm in Tampa from Shumaker, significantly strengthening the firm’s Condo, Co-Op & HOA Practice Group and capabilities.
The team will be led by Jonathan Ellis, Chair of Shumaker’s Community Associations Practice Group, and Kathleen Reres, Co-Chair of the Practice Group. Shareholder Clinton Morrell, along with five additional attorneys, will also join Becker.
Jonathan Ellis is board certified in condominium and planned development law by The Florida Bar and his clients turn to him for his experience in the many complex areas of commercial litigation and community association law (Condo and HOA). The foundation of his practice stems from the fact he is a past president of his own homeowners association and relates to the issues his clients are facing. Jonathan represents associations from general collections and enforcement of covenants to revitalizations of covenants and general corporate matters. He serves as general counsel for numerous community associations. His litigation experience ranges from foreclosure of liens, even through bankruptcy, to defending the association’s officers and directors when sued.
Kathleen Reres represents a variety of homeowners associations, condominium associations, business organizations, financial entities, municipal corporations and individuals. She has experience handling various litigation matters, including covenant enforcement, collections, commercial and residential landlord-tenant litigation, municipal code enforcement, board lien foreclosures, community association lien foreclosures, mortgage foreclosures, foreclosure defense, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Clinton Morrell is a shareholder and practices primarily in the areas of homeowners association and condominium law. He also has experience in other practice areas, including general commercial litigation and construction defect claims. Years of experience in representing community associations allows Clinton to effectively handle any issue facing the association from beginning to ultimate resolution through settlement or, where necessary, trial. Equally as important, his knowledge representing community associations provides him with an appreciation of the issues they commonly face and allows him to understand, anticipate, and in some cases help clients avoid problems before they develop.
The attorneys who are joining include Sean Bevil, Sara Jawad, Colleen McInerney, Jessica Sheikhet, and William Huffman.
“Becker has built a premier community associations practice that attracts top tier talent throughout Florida,” said Kenneth Direktor, Chair of Becker’s Condo, Co-Op & HOA practice group. “We are thrilled to be adding Jon and his team of high caliber lawyers, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class support to our clients.”
“Becker presents a fantastic opportunity for our team to join the best and biggest community association practice in Florida,” said shareholder Jonathan Ellis. “We are excited to continue providing our clients with exceptional service, now with the added benefits of Becker’s comprehensive bench of professionals and support across Florida in the Condo, Co-Op & HOA Practice Group.”
Gary C. Rosen, CEO and Managing Shareholder of Becker added, “Becker has long been recognized as the gold standard in community association law. This talented group of attorneys enhances that legacy and brings an even greater depth of service to our clients in Tampa and beyond.”
Becker grew out of its pioneering role creating the law pertaining to the operation of common ownership housing. Many of the leading cases in the field bear the firm’s name. Our attorneys are recognized as individual leaders in the field through published works, public service, legislative activities, and industry group leadership positions. Several attorneys are members of the prestigious College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). In Florida, Becker has the largest, dedicated team of Board Certified attorneys in Condominium and Planned Development Law among any firm in the state. The attorneys in the Condo, Co-Op & HOA Practice Group cover the entire spectrum of legal counseling of condominiums, condo associations, cooperative, time shares and homeowners’ associations.
About Becker
Becker, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast. More information is available at www.beckerlawyers.com
