For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Whether replacing a roof, undergoing major concrete restoration, or updating your common areas, understanding construction contracts is essential to secure the best possible outcome for your repair or renovation projects. In this week’s Take It To The Board podcast, host Donna DiMaggio Berger unlocks the secrets […]
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Utility Rates on the Rise: How New Jersey Community Associations May Be Affected and How to Prepare Now
As energy costs are predicted to dramatically increase and budget season is upon associations with fiscal years based on the calendar year, New Jersey associations that purchase electric service for their residents should prepare for surging utility rates in 2025 and 2026 following PJM Interconnection’s (“PJM”) last capacity auction. PJM, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of September 9
Congress Returns to Washington Lawmakers from both Chambers return to D.C. this week after their month’s long August recess with just three weeks before a government shutdown deadline. On the eve of their return, House Republicans released the text of a stopgap measure that would fund the government through March 28th of next year, and […]
Read More“Electronic Voting in Elections Now Common” – News-Press
Q: Our small condominium association (27 units) has a number of unit owners who are either foreign nationals, primarily residing abroad, or marine industry folks working offshore for months at a time. It is hard for them to vote in our board elections. Must condo board election ballots only be cast by traditional, hardcopy “snail-mail” […]
Read MoreBecker Advises Univet Loupes S.p.A., in Its Acquisition of the remaining minority interest in Univet Optical Technologies North America, Inc. (Canada) and Univet Optical Technologies North America, LLC (USA).
New York, NY, September 2, 2024 – Becker & Poliakoff’s Corporate and International Practice Group led a multi-jurisdictional legal team that assisted Univet Loupes S.p.A., in its cross-border acquisition of the minority interest in Univet Optical Technologies North America, Inc. (Canada) and Univet Optical Technologies North America, LLC (USA), joint venture entities established between Univet […]
Read More“Board Meeting Absences Questioned” – News-Press
Q: One of the board members of our homeowners’ association has attended only one meeting in the past year and has not provided any reasons for their absences. I found no clear guidelines in our association’s documents on how to handle such situation. Our board president is content to tolerate the absences. Are there any […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – August 2024
As the back-to-school season kicks off, it’s the perfect time to embrace new beginnings and fresh opportunities! This issue of CUP highlights everything you need to know to stay organized for the year ahead. We address late assessments, architectural review, and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Volunteers. We also celebrate 39 Becker Attorneys recognized in […]
Read MoreBecker Expands Association Adjusting Firm with Additions of Ken Shriberg and Chris Cury
Becker is thrilled to welcome The Adjusters Group, LLC (TAG) veteran public adjusters Ken Shriberg and Chris Cury to its Association Adjusting team. Association Adjusting is a licensed and insured Public Adjusting Firm that exclusively serves community associations throughout Florida. Ken Shriberg has been a licensed Public Insurance Adjuster since 2006 and a Member of […]
Read MoreBecker Named Top 25 Lobbying Firm in Q2 of 2024 by Florida Politics
Becker is pleased to announce our Government Law & Lobbying practice has been named a top 25 firm by Florida Politics, based on second-quarter revenue for 2024. Becker also ranked in the top 25 for first-quarter revenue for 2024. Bernie Friedman, Chair of the firm’s Government Law & Lobbying practice led the 10-person team, which […]
Read More“Architectural Review in Homeowners’ Associations” – FCAP Managers Report
Architectural restrictions are one of the many reasons people purchase homes governed by homeowners’ association as they serve to preserve an aesthetic quality to the community and the value of the homes in the community. However, architectural restrictions are also historically a great source of contention between the Board or architectural review committee and the […]
Read MoreRedesigning Golf– Teeing Up a Discussion on Golf Course Communities with Golf Course Architect Erik Larsen
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Ready to reevaluate your perceptions of golf course communities and their design? In this episode, host Donna DiMaggio Berger takes you behind the scenes with Erik Larsen, Golf Course Architect and former Vice President of the Arnold Palmer Design Company, as he reveals the intricacies of transforming […]
Read More“Marketable Record Title Act Requires Action By HOA” – News-Press
Q: I am a member of a homeowners’ association that was established with governing documents written and recorded in 1994. Recently, I received a packet for an upcoming association meeting, which included an item on the agenda about renewing our governing documents under the Marketable Record Title Act. This packet also included a notice informing […]
Read MoreBecker Provides Pro Bono Construction Law Services For Christian Service Center in Orlando
August 20, 2024, Orlando, FL – Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with offices throughout the East Coast, is proud to provide pro bono construction law services for development and renovation of the Christian Service Center (CSC) property in the historic Parramore District in Orlando. Through national nonprofit Building for Good, Becker has been tapped […]
Read More“Exactly What Must Be Included in the Notice of Late Assessments?” – FCAP Managers Report
As most of us are by now familiar with, in 2021 the Florida legislature enacted significant statutory changes to Chapters 718, 719, and 720, requiring a new notice to delinquent owners that must be mailed by an association before demanding payment of attorney’s fees related to the collection of unpaid assessments. Since July 1, 2021, […]
Read More“Wrap Up of 2024 Legislative Review” – News-Press
Today’s column is the seventh and final installment of our review of 2024 legislation affecting Florida community associations. Today, we will continue our review of some major changes made to the laws regulating homeowners’ associations, with a focus on new rules on architectural changes, governing document disclosures, hurricane protection requirements, as well as some miscellaneous […]
Read More2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 39 Becker Attorneys
The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the oldest and most revered peer review publications, recognizes 39 Becker attorneys across the Firm’s practices. Our own Joseph Adams was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year, a distinction based on the highest overall peer feedback for his specialty and location. Adams has focused […]
Read MoreCERTified Safe: Empowering Community Associations with Dr. Jesse P. Spearo
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Can ordinary citizens become heroes during a disaster? Discover how Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) help everyday people play essential roles in emergency situations. Join Take It To The Board host Donna DiMaggio Berger and guest Dr. Jesse P. Spearo, the Emergency Management Administrator […]
Read More“There is More to S2760” – Community Trends
Most people in the community association world are now aware of New Jersey’s Senate Bill S2760, commonly known as the Structural Integrity and Reserve Act (“Act”). This legislation introduces crucial provisions for condominium and cooperative buildings, addressing structural integrity, mandating periodic inspections, and improving reserve funding requirements. As community associations prepare for the transition from […]
Read MoreBecker Spotlight: Alfonso Lopez Heads to DNC as Superdelegate/PLEO and Whip for Virginia Delegation
After months of anticipation and strategic preparation, the Democratic National Convention is set to unfold with renewed vigor and historic significance. Regardless of political affiliation, it’s undeniable that recent weeks in politics have been unprecedented. Becker’s own Alfonso Lopez will once again take a front-row seat in the democratic process, serving as a Superdelegate/PLEO) (Political […]
Read More“2024 HOA Law Changes Explored” – News-Press
Today’s column is the sixth installment of our review of 2024 legislation affecting Florida community associations. Today, we will continue our review of some major changes made to the laws regulating homeowners’ associations, with a focus on new rules on fines by HOA’s and new regulations on pickup trucks. Fining and Suspension of Use Rights: […]
Read MoreBecker Wins $2.78M Judgment for Client Metropica Who Was Sued For Millions of Dollars in Construction Delay Suit
August 9, 2024, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast, won a $2.78 million judgment, plus legal fees and costs, on behalf of the developer of the One Metropica condominium in Sunrise, Florida who was actually sued by the project […]
Read MoreAppellate Division Confirms That Age-Related Ownership Restrictions Are Unlawful
Many New Jersey age-restricted communities, particularly those in South Jersey, have provisions in their declarations or master deeds that restrict ownership of a home to persons 55 and older or in some cases to 62 years of age and older. Those governing document provisions also require that the home must be occupied by at least […]
Read MoreRabbi Osher Eisemann Vindicated in Money Laundering Retrial After Nearly Decade-Long Prosecution
August 5, 2024 — Becker is pleased to announce the recent dismissal of an indictment against a prominent Lakewood rabbi after a nearly decade-long prosecution and retrial. Rabbi Osher Eisemann, the founder of Lakewood’s School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, was indicted in 2017, accused of stealing public funds from the school’s bank account. The […]
Read More“2024 Legislature Makes Significant HOA Changes” – News-Press
Today’s column is the fifth installment of our review of 2024 legislation affecting Florida community associations. The first four pieces dealt with changes to the condominium statutes and rules for community association managers and management companies. Today, we will begin our review of some major changes made to the laws regulating homeowners’ associations. Mandatory Websites: […]
Read MoreAdditional Opportunity to Extend Your Permit Expiration Dates
Some property owners, developers, construction industry professionals, and other building permit- and authorization-holders may be eligible for extensions to preserve their development and construction rights. A Florida law allows certain qualifying permits and authorizations to be extended beyond their current expiration dates once the Governor issues a state of emergency stemming from natural causes. Governor […]
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