We are pleased to announce Becker has been ranked in the South Florida Business Journal’s “Top Law Firms in South Florida” list for 2025. The list ranks South Florida law firms by number of lawyers, partners, and total staff. Becker has been named in the top 25 ranks every year since 2017. To view the […]
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Becker Spotlight: Budget Reconciliation Overview
The following provides an overview of the budget reconciliation process as well as congressional Republicans’ plans to enact President-elect Trump’s tax and immigration agenda, either through a single reconciliation package or in two separate bills. Budget Reconciliation Process Overview Definition and Purpose: Reconciliation is a specialized legislative process designed to streamline passage of budget-related measures […]
Read MoreLife on The Other Side – A Resident’s Candid Take on Condo Living and Community Governance
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Everyone knows that boards and management are the decision makers in community associations—but what’s it like to be on the receiving end of those choices? In this week’s episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger flips the script with a guest who provides […]
Read MoreBecker Promotes Federal Lobbyist Amanda Wood to Senior Director
Washington, D.C. – January 14, 2025 –Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals in offices throughout the East Coast, announced that it has promoted veteran federal lobbyist Amanda L. Wood to a Senior Director role which provides equity shareholder-like rights and privileges. Amanda is the second nonattorney at Becker to […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 13
Biden’s Final Week This week marks President Joe Biden’s final week in office ahead of President-elect Trump’s January 20th inauguration. The outgoing President will spend the week giving various remarks in Washington, largely commemorating his Administration’s accomplishments: Monday: A foreign policy address at the State Department Tuesday: A conservation proclamation address Wednesday: An Oval Office […]
Read More“Association Mold Remediation Role Questioned” – News-Press
Q: What are the powers and duties of a condominium association in Florida regarding unit repair and reconstruction to treat mold after a hurricane? (L.N., via e-mail) A: Like many legal issues, “it depends.” Mold has been a scary word in association operations over the past couple of decades, primarily after a couple of large […]
Read MoreBecker Expands in NYC with Addition of Anderson & Ochs and 3 New Partners
New York, NY – January 8, 2025 — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals in offices throughout the East Coast, is proud to announce its expansion with the addition of Anderson & Ochs, a New York City-based law firm. This strategic move bolsters Becker’s commercial litigation and community association […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 6
119th Congress Kicks Off Happy New Year! Lawmakers return to Washington this week in the new 119th Congress following Rep. Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) reclaiming of the House Speaker gavel and swearing in of Members last Friday. Today, Congress met in joint session to certify the 2024 presidential election results, teeing up the January 20th inauguration […]
Read More“Retroactive Application of Rules Explained” – News-Press
Q: My condominium association is considering implementing a new rule. They are unsure if the new rule can be applied retroactively to violators who broke the rule before it was enacted. If the board decides to enforce this rule, would they need to amend the bylaws, or can they implement and enforce this retroactively on […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – December 2024
The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, exciting projects, and a chance to reflect on our collective achievements. In this issue, we look back at the year’s most popular reads and share helpful tips on Florida’s condo deadline. We also pass the torch to new CUP editors, Yeline Goin and Joseph Arena. Don’t […]
Read More“Meeting Motion Starts Fireworks” – News-Press
Q: At the recent annual meeting of our condominium association, the president asked at the end of the meeting if there was any “new business.” I raised my hand and made a motion to appoint a committee to audit the insurance income and expenditures from Hurricane Ian. The president told me she would take it […]
Read More“Ambiguities in ‘Condo 3.0’ and Potential Solutions” – FLCAJ Magazine
HB 1021, a substantial overhaul of the Florida Condominium Act commonly referred to as “Condo 3.0,” was signed by Governor Desantis and became effective July 1, 2024. While many of the changes to the Act were objectively necessary (such as the new heightened board member education requirements, the requirement of an association with more than […]
Read More“Conflict of Interest Laws and Your Condominium Association” – FCAP Managers Report
Amid rising costs and scrutiny of the operations of condominium associations across the state, your condominium association has likely placed an emphasis on doing business with people and companies it can trust. After all, wouldn’t you prefer that in your own business dealings? But what if these trusted people and companies have close ties to […]
Read More“Smoking Ban Raises Questions” – News-Press
Q: My condominium association board recently implemented a “no-smoking” policy after receiving numerous complaints about second-hand smoke. Several residents continue to smoke in their unit and on their balcony, insisting they have the right to do so in their own home. The situation is becoming increasingly contentious. While some residents support the policy, others are […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of December 16
The Final Countdown Congress returns for its final working week of the year before breaking for the holidays. In that time, lawmakers are set to pass national defense and water project authorization legislation, along with a short-term government funding bill lasting through March to avoid a shutdown this Friday. House lawmakers will also take up […]
Read More“’55 and Over’ Housing Explained” – News-Press
Q: I have a question on people moving into a “55 Plus Park” at age 55 or older. Can I later give the home to a younger relative with children? (G.A., via e-mail) A: The federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, which became effective in 1989, prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of housing based […]
Read MoreBecker’s Omar Franco Analyzes Implications of Donald Trump’s Regulatory Agenda in Iberian Lawyer Interview
In a recent interview with Iberian Lawyer, Omar Franco, Head of Becker’s Federal Lobbying Practice and Vice Chair of the Firm’s Government Law and Lobbying Practice, shared his insights on Donald Trump’s ambitious regulatory agenda as the former president prepares for a return to office. Drawing on his extensive experience in government relations and legislative affairs, Franco […]
Read MoreDonna DiMaggio Berger Explores Florida’s Condo Market Challenges in Sun Sentinel Op-Ed
Donna DiMaggio Berger, shareholder and Vice Chair of Becker’s Community Association Practice Group, authored an op-ed for the Sun Sentinel analyzing the transformative challenges and opportunities reshaping Florida’s condominium market. Berger examines the impact of recent legislative changes, including engineering and reserve funding mandates, highlighting the delicate balance between enhancing safety standards for multifamily housing […]
Read MoreYolanda Cash Jackson Featured in Florida Trend Business Magazine
As the year draws to a close, Florida Trend Magazine traditionally announces its coveted “Floridian of the Year.” This year, the publication also revisited its 2022 honoree, Becker shareholder Yolanda Cash Jackson, to highlight her continued accomplishments. Reflecting on 2024, Jackson described it as a year of “unexpected pleasures,” including a meaningful opportunity to serve as a professor […]
Read MoreThe Impact of Rentals on Community Associations with David Muller, Vice Chair of Becker’s Community Association Practice
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! This week’s episode of Take It To The Board explores a topic that resonates deeply with many community association boards: the impact rentals have on a community and how to balance an owner’s desire to lease out his or her unit with the association’s […]
Read MoreBecker Litigation Team Spotlighted in Law360 for Groundbreaking Legal Strategy
Jim Mahon, a shareholder in Becker’s Business Litigation Practice, was featured in a Law360 article, for a unique argument in United States v. Lingat. The case challenges long-standing legal precedent of Klein conspiracy charges in tax cases. Instead of following the usual approach of comparing these charges to the Supreme Court’s limits on tax obstruction laws, […]
Read MoreBecker’s Claramargaret Groover featured on Housingwire.com
Becker’s Claramargaret Groover penned the article Can a Market Be Too Hot, which was published on Housingwire.com. Claramargaret delves into the challenges smaller developers face when larger developers enter already thriving markets. She explores whether a hot market can become “too hot” and offers expert perspectives on navigating competitive development landscapes. You can read the full article below […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of December 9
Congress Clears the Decks Over the weekend, House lawmakers released the text of the nearly $900 billion must-pass annual defense authorization bill ahead of an expected program lapse at year’s end. That, along with the biennial water project authorization bill, are set for floor votes this week. While Senators will meet this week to take […]
Read More“‘Single Family’ Use Restriction Questioned” – News-Press
Q: Our board is seeking clarification on the “single family” use restriction stated in our declaration of condominium. The term is not clearly defined in our documents, and we would like guidance on how to interpret this clause when evaluating our potential sales. (J.D., via e-mail) A: “Single family” use restrictions are common in the […]
Read MoreDonna DiMaggio Berger named 2024 Florida Trend Legal Elite, Notable Women Leaders in Law Honoree
Becker proudly announces that Donna DiMaggio Berger, Shareholder, and Vice-Chair of the Firm’s Community Association Practice, has been recognized as a 2024 Florida Trend Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law honoree. Florida Trend notes, “The list of Legal Elite Notable Women Leaders in Law is becoming even more distinctive and difficult for inclusion… recognizing women in the […]
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