Becker is proud to announce that shareholder John S. Prisco has been honored as “Author of the Year” by the New Jersey Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI-NJ). This recognition highlights John’s insightful article, “Master Deeds, Declarations, and Bylaws: Oh My! A Guide to Community Association Governance in New Jersey,” published in the June […]
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Becker Named to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Companies to Work For” List for Second Consecutive Year
February 19, 2025 – Fort Lauderdale, FL– Becker is proud to announce that it has once again been named to U.S. News & World Report’s list of The Best Companies to Work For Among U.S. Law Firms. After being included in the inaugural list last year, this marks the second consecutive year that Becker has […]
Read MoreBecker Provides Government Assistance to NHT Ambulance in Securing Palm Beach County COPCN
February 18, 2025—Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals across the East Coast, proudly announces that National Health Transport (NHT) Inc., has been selected to provide non-emergency ambulance services throughout Palm Beach County. Becker provided government relations assistance throughout the application process. National Health Transport is […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of February 17
The Senate’s Big Week The Senate is the only Chamber in town this week and will take key votes to either advance or outright finalize the nominations of Kash Patel to be FBI Director, Howard Lutnick to be Commerce Secretary, and Kelly Loeffler to be SBA Administrator. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans may send the first of […]
Read More“Conflict of Interest Laws Explained” – News-Press
Q: What constitutes a conflict of interest for a board member in their role of representing and making decisions on behalf of the condominium association? (S.W., via e-mail) A: Section 718.3027 of the Florida Condominium Act states that a director, officer, or relative of either to enter into a contract for goods or services with […]
Read MoreBecker Advises Give Back Beauty in Strategic Fragrance Licensing Partnership with Britney Spears
February 13, 2025—Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast, advised international perfume and cosmetics group Give Back Beauty in establishing a strategic fragrance licensing partnership with multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears fragrances, in charge of creation, development, marketing […]
Read MoreA Primer on Mixed-Use Communities and Condo Hotels with Becker Attorney Allison Hertz
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Living in mixed-use communities and condo hotels offers certain conveniences but can also pose unique challenges that require careful consideration. In this episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger teams up with Becker attorney Allison Hertz to explore the dynamics of […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of February 10
Another Day, Another Tariff Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced a universal tariff of 25% on all steel and aluminum products; however, the Administration has not yet said when those tariffs would take effect. Meanwhile, Congress returns to Washington this week to continue talks on a potential reconciliation package that aims to include the […]
Read More“Enforcement Consistency Issues Explored” – News-Press
Q: I am on the board of a 54 home HOA. One of the owners has basically all plants in his front yard. That has been that way since I moved into the community 14 years ago. I don’t believe anyone gave him permission to do that but apparently the board at the time turned […]
Read MoreJane L. Cornett Recognized by Florida Bar with Florida Pro Bono Award
Becker is proud to announce Jane L. Cornett has been recognized by the Florida Bar Association for her pro bono work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients. Ms. Cornett is recognized for her work in the 19th Judicial Circuit, which includes Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St Lucie counties. Established in 1981, The Florida […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of February 3
Tracking the Tariffs Over the weekend, President Trump issued new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Under the order, Canada and Mexico would face 25% tariffs on most goods imported into the U.S., compared to 10% for China. However, the U.S. agreed to pause the Mexico and Canada tariffs for one month pending further negotiations. […]
Read More“Ideal Board Composition Questioned” – News-Press
Q: During our recent condominium association board meeting, we received questions about how the number of board members impacts our effectiveness. Is having an odd number of members important to avoid tie votes? And, does having an even number, whether due to vacancies or not, create challenges for decision-making? (S.W., via e-mail) A: Section 718.112(2)(a) […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – January 2025
This year promises to be filled with new opportunities to grow together as a community. Whether you’re considering implementing a new rule, looking for helpful tips to overcome budgeting challenges, or need to simplify your voting process, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss our featured podcast episode which provides a candid look at life within […]
Read MoreThe End of Chevron: Becker’s Jon Polenberg Explores What SCOTUS Ruling Means for the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Jon Polenberg, Shareholder and Vice Chair of Becker’s Business Litigation Practice Group, authored this article in Kiplinger, which examines how the Supreme Court’s decision last year to overturn the Chevron doctrine, could impact the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The article explores the potential implications for industries, businesses, and government agencies, as well as […]
Read MoreCondominium Termination: Don’t Let the End Catch You by Surprise
We all know how condominiums begin—with renderings, design and finishing selections, friendly sales agents, and, of course, so many documents. However, once a condominium becomes an aging project, particularly one rife with escalating maintenance needs and expenses, it is worth considering how the condominium may be terminated.
Read MoreCan 55+ Communities Avoid Compliance With Federal Laws Which Prohibit Age and Familial Status Discrimination?
In 1988, Congress added “familial status” – defined to include those family groups with children under 18 – to the list of protected groups under the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”). Since that time, condominiums and homeowner’s associations have been discovering that their various rules regulating or prohibiting youngsters’ use of the association’s facilities may run […]
Read MorePerils and Pitfalls of Social Media in Community Associations
Social media has transformed the way people communicate. In restaurants you can look around and see people “dining together” while on their cell phone. I was at a movie theater this weekend and even noticed the white glow of cell phone screens lighting up during the film. Social media, which provides an instantaneous platform to […]
Read MoreImportant Insights from Florida’s Former Condominium Ombudsman
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Our last episode of Take It To The Board involved a discussion with an owner in a luxury high-rise who had become disenchanted with some of the governance issues in his community. Today’s episode takes us further on that path as host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits […]
Read More“Facilitating Community Participation via Electronic Voting” – FCAP Managers Report
In many community associations, voter apathy is a real issue with members not returning proxies and not attending meetings. This does not only impact elections, but also other membership votes, such as amending the governing documents and voting on material alterations. Simplifying the voting process for owners can go a long way to facilitating membership participation in […]
Read More“Budgeting Challenges” – FLCAJ Magazine
Come gather ‘round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you is worth savin’ And you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin’ “The Times They […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 27
Washington Goes Miami House Republicans and President Donald Trump are travelling to Miami this week for the GOP retreat to discuss how they’ll advance their reconciliation package which aims to cut previous federal spending as an offset to fund the Administration’s immigration, tax, and energy production priorities. The debate of whether to pursue one or […]
Read More“New Hurricane Protection Law Questioned” – News-Press
Q: What is the penalty, if any, for a Florida condo association that refuses to adopt hurricane protection specifications? We have none and there is no interest in doing so. Seems to fall into “they won’t find out about us.” (D.N., via e-mail) A: The Florida Condominium Act was amended effective July 1, 2024 to […]
Read More“Bid Protest Overview” — Florida Bid Reporting
Mark Stempler, a Managing Shareholder in Becker’s Construction Law & Litigation and Business Litigation Practices, wrote this article published in Florida Bid Reporting about legal and practical issues concerning public procurement, bid protests, and other formal challenges. While most procurements are administered by government agencies without issues, there are times when challenges become necessary to […]
Read MoreAI and the Courts: Becker’s Jon Polenberg Explores How Accountants Can Navigate the Legal Challenges of the Machine Revolution
Jon Polenberg, Shareholder and Vice Chair of Becker’s Business Litigation Practice Group, authored this article in CPA Practice Advisor, exploring the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on litigation and its impact on accountants. You can read the full article below or by clicking here. AI and Litigation: How Accountants Can Stay Ahead as Courts Wrestle […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of January 21
Welcome to a New Washington President Donald Trump was sworn into office yesterday as the nation’s 47th president, solidifying Republicans’ trifecta of power in the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The President spent his first day in office signing a slew of executive orders largely repealing or freezing Biden-era policies and […]
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