At Becker, we stand united in our commitment to make a difference. We proudly announce our employees have raised over $120,000 for this year’s Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s PurpleStride 5K Run/Walk, ranking among the top 5 fundraising teams nationwide. In total, Becker has raised nearly $500,000 over the last six years. With over 60 events […]
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Cooking Up Community Connection with Tim and Lara Boyd of Mustard Seed Bistro
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Food does more than just tantalize your taste buds—it can also weave communities together and ignite change. In this episode, host Donna DiMaggio Berger is joined by Tim and Lara Boyd from Mustard Seed Bistro in Plantation to explore how simple community cookouts can spark vital […]
Read MoreCourt Grants Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Favor of Becker Client
In a significant legal victory, Palm Beach County’s Circuit Court granted the petition for writ of certiorari, in favor of Ocean’s Edge at Seawinds Property Owners Association, Inc. (“Seawinds”), represented by Becker. The case centered around the City of Riviera Beach’s conditional approval of an application for five variances submitted by Integra Real Estate, LLC. […]
Read More“Neighbor Cries ‘Fowl’ Over Chicken Ban” – News-Press
Q: My homeowners association inconsistently enforces its rules. Rules often overlooked include bans regarding permissible animals and owning chickens on the property – none of which have been properly enforced. The association issued a new owner a violation notice, even though other homeowners have been keeping chickens. Does this set a precedent for how these […]
Read MoreBecker Successfully Defends Condominium Association in Paterson, New Jersey, Against Nearby Development Proposal
Becker is pleased to announce the successful denial of a Planning Board application on behalf of our client, a 300+ unit condominium association in Paterson, New Jersey. Led by Shareholder Martin Cabalar, Becker presented a compelling case opposing the development of an adjacent property during the City of Paterson Planning Board hearing. The proposed project, […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of April 15
Congress Revamps Agenda The House returns to Washington with an entirely new agenda this week in response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel over the weekend. Instead of taking up legislation regarding appliance efficiency standards, lawmakers will shift to a series of financial-themed bills targeting Iran, including prohibitions of certain financial transactions, sanctions of foreign […]
Read More“Becker Adds Tim Scott’s Chief of Staff as Gov’t Consultant” — Law 360
Becker’s newest Senior Government Relations Consultant, Neri Martinez, recently told Law360 she chose to join Becker, in large part, because of the firm’s reputation of being a trusted source and having transparent leadership. Martinez said, “[Becker’s] corporate culture really inspires loyalty and nurtures growth, and that’s the kind of place where I like to be.” […]
Read MoreCrafting and Protecting Your Community’s Trademark with Becker’s Valeria Angelucci
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Has your association ever faced the challenge of a shadow website or social media page imitating your own? Have you discovered your community’s name being used by a business entity without permission? Host Donna DiMaggio Berger, along with guest Valeria Angelucci from Becker’s Corporate Practice, shed light […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of April 8
Congress Returns The House and Senate return to Washington for the first time in two weeks following lawmakers’ Spring recess. Members left just before passing a full FY24 appropriations package, thus closing out a drawn-out government funding battle to avert a shutdown through the end of September. Senators are set to consider judicial nominations this […]
Read MoreBecker Expands Federal Lobbying Practice with Neri Martinez in Washington, D.C.
April 8, 2024 – Washington, D.C. — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the U.S., is pleased to announce that Neri Martinez has joined the firm as a Senior Government Relations Consultant in the firm’s federal lobbying practice in Washington, D.C. Ms. Martinez most recently served as Chief of Staff […]
Read More“‘Estoppel Certificates’ and Other Disclosures Explained” – News-Press
Q: I am in the process of selling my condominium unit and recently come across the term “estoppel certificate,” but I’m not quite sure what it means. Could you provide an explanation on exactly what kind of information is included on an estoppel certificate and just how much it typically costs to get one? I’d […]
Read More“Video Cameras—for Surveillance Purposes Only” – Florida Community Association Journal
Many associations have installed video surveillance cameras within the community common areas as a means to provide security for their residents. However, good intentions often lead to unanticipated consequences. In fact the use of video cameras may expose an association to liability. Generally, an association is not a guarantor or insurer of any person’s safety […]
Read MoreBecker Named Top-Performing Lobbying Firm by Bloomberg Government for Fifth Year
Federal lobbying spending topped $4 billion in 2023 and Becker is proud to announce that once again the firm has been named to Bloomberg Government’s list of Top-Performing Lobbying Firms. Out of the registered lobbying firms that filed Lobbying Disclosure Act reports with the Senate during 2023, Bloomberg Government reviewed the firms that reported revenues […]
Read MoreA Message From Becker’s Miami Office
There are several significant changes occurring at both the state and county levels that we want to ensure you are aware of, particularly regarding Community Association Law. Keeping abreast of these developments is crucial for staying compliant and informed when managing a condominium or homeowners’ association. Among these changes are: 1) NEW: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FEBRUARY […]
Read MoreBecker Expands New Jersey Community Association Practice with the Addition of Ronald L. Perl
April 1, 2024 – Morristown, NJ – Becker, a leading multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the United States, proudly welcomes Ronald L. Perl as Counsel in its Community Association Practice. He will be a resident in the firm’s Morristown and Red Bank New Jersey offices. With more than 30 […]
Read MoreBecker Welcomes Donald P. Dufresne as Shareholder in Real Estate and Government Law & Lobbying Practice Areas
April 1, 2024 – West Palm Beach, FL – Becker, a leading multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the United States, is pleased to welcome Donald P. Dufresne as a shareholder in the firm’s Real Estate and Government Law & Lobbying Practice areas. He will be based in the West Palm […]
Read More“Director Disqualifications Are Limited” – News-Press
Q: It recently came to light that one of our board members has an ongoing dispute with another unit owner, resulting in the unit owner taking out a restraining order against the board member. This is very concerning. Shouldn’t this result in the board member being removed from the board of directors of our association? […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – March 2024
March marks the beginning of Spring and with a new season comes new opportunities. This issue of CUP will help your community association navigate elections and voting, insurance claims, and enforcement fines. Also featured this month are a few of the bills sent to the Governor for action following the 2024 Legislative Session. Don’t miss […]
Read MoreDoes a Condominium Have to Put Insurance in the Annual Budget?
I have been asked on a few occasions whether an association has to put insurance in the annual budget or whether it can just wait to determine the amount of the insurance, and specially assess for the same (without a line-item in the annual budget). Insurance costs have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled in the […]
Read MoreBoard Member Code of Conduct
The law specifically provides that Board members have a fiduciary relationship with the owners and requires Board members to disclose conflicts of interest. However, the law does not specifically address acceptable (and unacceptable) behaviors for discharging these responsibilities. As such, a Code of Conduct for Board members is a good idea to have so that […]
Read MoreCan Emotional Support Animals Be Prohibited in the Pool Area?
The issue of emotional support animals in pet-restricted communities is never-ending. Their presence seems to have multiplied by the influx of individuals relocating to Florida. What was considered a “family pet” in the State of origin, suddenly became an emotional support animal in pet-restricted Florida communities. Understandably, individuals with family pets, now being represented as […]
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About Concrete Restoration Projects with Alessandra Bianchini, of Carousel Development and Restoration Inc.
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! At some point, every building will require concrete repairs and restoration. If you’ve ever undertaken a concrete restoration project, you’re aware of the many challenges they entail: substantial costs, lengthy time delays, irritation over hurricane shutters, windows and doors, uncooperative owners and the potential […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Valeria Angelucci
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Valeria Angelucci is an attorney in our Ft. Lauderdale office. A native of Italy, she was selected and granted a full scholarship to participate in a Dual […]
Read More“What Do You Mean We Cannot Enforce The Association’s 55-And-Older Provision?” – Florida Community Association Journal
While the Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects all citizens from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and disability or familial status (families with children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal guardians, pregnant women, and people trying to get custody of children under 18), there is an […]
Read MorePaul Shur, Martin Cabalar Recognized as 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers
Becker proudly announces the recognition of Paul Shur and Martin Cabalar, shareholders in our New Jersey offices, as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star, respectively. The “Super Lawyer” designation acknowledges the top 5% of lawyers in New Jersey, while a “Rising Star” represents the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in New Jersey. Mr. Shur, […]
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