For some time now, many community association managers realized that rising sea levels can put their clients at risk. Sea walls are no panacea. “When Hurricane Irma hit Marco Island,” says David Muller, a shareholder and board-certified specialist in condominium and planned development law with the Naples, Fla., office of Becker & Poliakoff, “there were […]
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“Avoid the Potential Pitfalls of Sharing Common Areas Among Communities,” Community Association Management Insider
Conflicts can arise when numerous associations share amenities and/or common areas through a master association. David Muller offers his ideas on effective negotiation to prevent this from happening. “When a developer develops a property,” says David Muller, a shareholder and board-certified specialist in condominium and planned development law with the Naples, Fla., office of Becker […]
Read More“Work Opportunity Tax Credit Can Add to the Bottom Line,” Community Association Management Insider
Community association management companies and their clients may not be aware of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which is a useful tool available to them for simultaneously growing their staff and reducing their tax bills. “The credit is very overlooked,” says Jamie Dokovna, a shareholder in the Florida law firm Becker & Poliakoff who practices […]
Read More“3 Critical Issues to Cover in Today’s Board Training,” Community Association Management Insider
It is crucial for associations, board members, and managers to attend comprehensive board training as part of effective risk management, especially during our current climate. According to Jamie Dokovna, a shareholder in the Florida law firm Becker & Poliakoff who practices employment law and works with associations, one role board members frequently overlook is that […]
Read MoreBecker Defends New Mother Accusing Former Employer of Pregnancy Bias
Becker successfully advocated for our client – a former sales executive with Nice Systems, Inc. – and helped her win the right to present her story of discrimination and retaliation before a trial. Employment litigator Jamie Dokovna represented new mom Stacey Malo, while counsel for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) presented their objective […]
Read More“Through Self-Determination, SFSC Alumnus Edward Lohrer Realized His Dream of Becoming an Attorney,” SFSC
When South Florida State College (SFSC) alumnus Edward Lohrer graduated from high school, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He had grown up in Lake Placid, Fla., and all he knew was that he wanted to see what life held for him beyond the borders of Highlands County. Although he […]
Read More“Hold Up: 5 Areas to Negotiate on Elevator Maintenance Contracts,” Community Association Management Insider
Properly operating elevators rank near the top of the most important — and most visible —equipment in a community association. Yet some communities sign standard service contracts without giving the terms much thought. “One of the biggest mistakes across the board with associations is not having a lawyer look over the elevator contracts,” says Jennifer […]
Read More“Owner’s Pot-Bellied Pig Leads To Unusual Discrimination Lawsuit,” Community Association Management Insider
An Ohio HOA recently learned the hard way that discrimination lawsuits arising out of pet restrictions aren’t limited to disability-related claims. That’s one lesson from the association’s attempts to remove a pig from its premises; the other is that poorly worded restrictions can backfire. A Pig in a Poke “I’ve seen disputes with atypical pets, […]
Read MoreGary Rosen Discusses Becker’s Return to Work, Vaccination Protocols
Like all businesses, Becker is navigating the uncharted waters of returning to work post-pandemic. While providing premium client service remains a top priority, maintaining a safe and supportive environment in which to serve is paramount for firm leadership. Managing Shareholder Gary Rosen offered the Daily Business Review a look into the firm’s hybrid workweek and […]
Read More“Older Attorneys Face Unique Hurdles In Late-Career Lateral Moves” – Law360
Older attorneys face unique issues when making late-career lateral moves or finding new jobs after decades at the same law firms, according to industry recruiters. Many law firms still have mandatory retirement ages and succession plans for when senior partners are expected to transition their business to their younger colleagues. And while some firms welcome […]
Read More“What Pandemic-Era Changes Are ‘Here to Stay’ for Law Firms?” Law.com
As Americans wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed throughout the country, many business leaders are evaluating what the new working world will look like. Law firms, historically resistant to change and slow to adopt new operational models, had to evolve to guarantee uninterrupted service to clients facing their own challenges in 2020. The […]
Read More“Home Heartache,” WSVN 7 News Miami
Buying a home is a complex undertaking that, in order to reach a smooth conclusion, requires the good faith efforts of all parties involved. When that trust is compromised, the process of recovering monies invested or enforcing protective contract clauses can become volatile and overwhelming for homebuyers. Veteran real estate attorney David Blattner discusses the […]
Read MoreIN THE MEDIA: Jennifer Horan
Jennifer Horan has spent over twelve years addressing and resolving a myriad of issues facing community, condo, and homeowners’ associations. Below is a collection of her insights regarding association board roles and responsibilities, managing disputes, COVID-19 health and safety protocols and enforcement, and more. BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES What to Know About Spouses Running for […]
Read More“Cash Cows: Businesses Save Millions Through Tax Break Meant to Help Florida Farmers,” Orlando Sentinel
Florida real estate developers, large corporations, and other non-farming entities have long used the state’s “greenbelt” law to take advantage of significant tax discounts. The law provides for lower tax assessments on property classified as agricultural, which Becker land use attorney Katie Edwards-Walpole says is a good thing because it incentivizes property owners to continue […]
Read More“Membership Distinction,” Common Ground Magazine
A New Jersey bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Sept. 30 explains which community associations have mandatory – as opposed to voluntary – membership for homeowners when it comes to assessment payments and other aspects of association governance, writes WRNJ. The new statute (S908/A2480) clarifies the 2017 Radburn Law, which defines members […]
Read MoreRobert Rabinowitz Weighs in on New SEC Marketing Guidelines
The SEC recently updated its rules on advertising and solicitation to – finally – reflect how contemporary advisors connect and communicate with their potential and existing clients. Becker Shareholder Robert Rabinowitz – who focuses his practice on providing legal and regulatory guidance to broker/dealers and investment advisers – offers insight into the new single rule, […]
Read MoreIN THE MEDIA: Katie Edwards-Walpole
Over the course of her career as a government official and practicing attorney, Katie Edwards-Walpole has not shied away from addressing many issues facing Floridians. Below is a collection of her insights into issues regarding beach access, medical marijuana, juvenile offenders in adult court, and more. BEACH ACCESS “Beachfront Property Owners Deserve Rights. That’s Why […]
Read More“Coronavirus No Excuse for Day-Late Rent by Business Facing Eviction, Appeals Court Rules” – Daily Business Review
By Lidia Dinkova A Deerfield Beach boat upholstery and cover business is still fighting eviction after an appellate court shot down its claim that the coronavirus pandemic played a role in a day-late rent payment. The Cove & Deerfield Beach LLC, controlled by New York’s Bruscas family, filed the commercial eviction lawsuit in January against […]
Read More“It Took a Pandemic and a Committee, but Broward Litigators Have Become More Polite,” Daily Business Review
By Michael A. Mora Broward litigators seem to have become … nicer… in recent months. That’s the good news from Chief Judge Jack Tuter, who has gone to great lengths to restore civility among litigators before the Broward Circuit Court. And interesting factor: The disruption resulting from the coronavirus pandemic might have helped with the […]
Read More“By the Numbers: Lobbyists Bring in Cash,” News Service Florida
As reported by News Service Florida, “During the first quarter of the year, companies, local governments and other clients paid an estimated $37.4 million to lobbying firms for legislative work, according to state numbers.” Becker reported compensation between $500,000 to $999,999, placing the firm in the second highest category by compensation out of thousands of […]
Read More“Attorneys Joining Governor on Trade Mission to Israel,” Daily Business Review
Attorneys will be part of a group of 90 political, business and academic leaders traveling Saturday to Israel with Gov. Ron DeSantis to spread a message of friendship and economic development. Becker shareholder Ellyn Bogdanoff, a state lawmaker for eight years, is looking for opportunities “to bring unique business to Florida that can flourish here and […]
Read More“Jamie Cole, Gary Rosen Combine for DBR’s Attorneys of the Year Award,” Daily Business Review
Jamie Cole and Gary Rosen are leaders at different law firms in Fort Lauderdale who became friends working on the Broward Business Council on Homelessness and other community efforts that placed them in the same orbits. The attorneys were recognized Thursday night as the Daily Business Review’s Attorneys of the Year for another combined effort — shepherding the creation […]
Read More“Armed and Dangerous,” CAI Common Ground
The increasing number of “active-shooter” incidents across the U.S. and abroad is creating troubling questions for community association boards. Is it time to think of the unthinkable? By Mike Ramsey Reprinted with permission from the May/June 2019 issue of Common Ground TM magazine, the flagship publication of Community Associations Institute (CAI). www.caionline.org IT WAS NOT […]
Read More“Opportunity Zones Seen as Bonus Rather Than Driving Force on Deals,” Daily Business Review
Real estate in opportunity zones across South Florida has been springing up for sale offering development potential to investors along with a tax break. The special designation pushed up asking prices for some sites, said a broker listing some of the properties. An attorney who isn’t working on any of the deals said his clients […]
Read More“Yolanda Cash Jackson to Deliver UF Law’s 2019 Commencement Address,” Florida Politics
Yolanda Cash Jackson will head to Gainesville next week to deliver the commencement address for the next batch of JDs coming out of The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. The Becker & Poliakoff shareholder is herself an alumna of UF Law and her ties to her alma mater run deep — […]
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