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 […]
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“’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 […]
Read MoreOmar Franco and Clarence Williams Named to the Hill’s List of Top 2024 Lobbyists
We are thrilled to announce Omar Franco and Clarence Williams have been recognized as a “Hired Gun” in The Hill’s list of 2024 Top Lobbyists. The list recognizes impactful advocates who stand out for the results they’ve delivered for their clients, companies, trade associations, and advocacy groups in the nation’s capital. Omar is Senior Director of Becker’s Federal Lobbying Practice […]
Read MoreDonna DiMaggio Berger Discusses Looming Condo Deadline in CBS12 News Interview
Periodic engineering inspections and mandatory reserve funding deadlines set forth by the Florida Legislature are quickly approaching for some high-rise condos. Donna DiMaggio Berger, a Shareholder and Vice-Chair of Becker’s Community Association Practice, sat down with the CBS12 News Investigative Team to discuss how the looming December 31 deadline, coupled with new laws that give […]
Read MoreLegal Update: Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements Halted Nationwide
December 3, 2024 – The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, halting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its reporting requirements, citing constitutional concerns in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland et al. (Case No. 4:24-cv-00478). Background on the CTA The CTA, enacted as part of […]
Read MoreFlorida’s Condo Deadline: Allison Hertz Discusses Compliance in CBS12 News Interview
By December 31, 2024, Florida condo boards must complete structural integrity inspections and financial reserve studies as required by new safety laws following the Surfside tragedy. Allison L. Hertz, a shareholder in Becker’s Community Association Practice, spoke with the CBS12 News Investigative Team to discuss the final stretch to the deadline. She estimates at least 80-90% […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of December 2
Congress Pivots to 2025 Lawmakers return to Washington this week for their last working period of the year before breaking for the Holidays and swearing in a new Congress in early January. Congress still needs to pass a government funding bill by December 20th to avoid a shutdown, in addition to passing key defense and […]
Read More“Fining Notice Procedures Questioned” – News-Press
Q: I recently read your article about the recent amendments to the statute on fining in homeowners’ associations and have a question. Does the 14-day notice need to be sent by certified mail? (A.G., via e-mail) A: Section 720.305(2)(b) of the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act does not specifically mandate that the 14-day hearing notice be […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – November 2024
It’s time to start getting ready for the holidays and other year-end celebrations! This issue of CUP explores some common issues that associations are facing and discusses best practices to start the new year off right. Whether you’re struggling with Florida’s condo crisis, need help understanding the Corporate Transparency Act, or dealing with random meeting musings, we’ve got […]
Read MoreTransforming Your Corporate Culture with Motivational Speaker & Author Chris Dyer
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Join host Donna DiMaggio Berger on this week’s Take It To The Board podcast as she welcomes Chris Dyer, a motivational speaker, author, and former CEO who’s led teams of thousands. Ranked as the #1 leadership speaker on culture by Inc. Magazine, Chris is known for his best-selling books, The […]
Read MoreThe Three Key Elements of Properly Noticing a Special Assessment Meeting
Special assessments are becoming more and more common in community associations. As the frequency of special assessments increases, so does the possibility of delinquencies in payment of the special assessments. A crucial element of collection of a delinquent special assessment is proving that the special assessment was properly adopted at a properly noticed board meeting. […]
Read MoreBank Commitment Letter Pitfalls for Condominiums
When a condominium association is seeking to obtain a loan, too often the board is signing the Bank’s commitment letter before having that document reviewed by legal counsel. While some banks will permit the association to amend the commitment letter after the fact, through revisions to the loan documents, others will not permit that to […]
Read MoreThe Owner’s Account Is Already in Collections – Why Do I Have to Send a New Notice of Late Assessment for a New Special Assessment?
Community associations have become very familiar with the statutory requirement that a 30 day Notice of Late Assessment must be sent to an owner prior to turning the account over to an attorney for collections. However, confusion over the need to send a Notice of Late Assessment often arises when an association adopts a new […]
Read More“Random Meeting Musings” – FCAP Managers Report
As budget season is in full swing, and annual meetings / elections are just around the corner, I thought it a good time to review some basic meeting information that is very frequently not done properly. Let’s start with budget meetings. As you should be aware by now, there have been some significant changes to […]
Read More“Corporate Transparency Act Explained” – News-Press
Q: We recently received an e-mail from our management company regarding the filing requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act. This is the first I’ve ever heard of it. Can you explain what this is? (M.M., via e-mail) A: On January 1, 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The CTA is intended to deter […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of November 18
Lame Duck Session Continues Lawmakers return to Washington this week for the final time this month before breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday. In the meantime, Senators will take up judicial nominations while House Members will move through a packed legislative agenda. House bills set for expedited procedures this week include veterans affairs operations, agency grant […]
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