Becker & Poliakoff

Perspectives

Our attorneys are thought leaders in their field who keep our clients updated on the latest developments in their areas of interest. Explore our robust library of articles, blog posts, guidebooks, media commentary, and news.

Filters

Search Perspectives

Show Filters

Area of Focus

Year

Type

Direct all media inquiries to BPPR@beckerlawyers.com

Results

Community Update – January 2020

The start of the new year means election season for community associations across the state. To help alleviate some of the burden board’s may be feeling this time of year, we focus this month on answering some of the frequently asked questions we receive from communities about election dos and don’ts. Is a voting certificate […]

Read More

Community Update – December 2019

As 2019 comes to a close, we look back at a selection of our most popular Community Update articles. Read on for a refresher on special assessments, juggling both your official association communications with your personal information, and speeding issues in your community. Also, we feature our top read article from our new Spanish feature […]

Read More

Make Your Vote Count at This Year’s Condominium Election

Many condominiums throughout the state are getting ready for their annual meeting. This means that election season is also underway as the election occurs at the time of the annual meeting. Remember that two notices are required. The first should be sent at least 60 days before the election and the second, at least 14 […]

Read More

Community Update – August 2019

Community Associations must learn to effectively communicate amongst themselves. Over time, more and more messages have become electronic, social media has become a popular platform for communication, and the lines between personal/professional messages have become increasingly blurred. It’s now more important than ever to understand the rules and regulations regarding these distinctions. Our featured article, […]

Read More

E-Notice for Everyone

It is 2019 and e-mail has, for many, replaced the U.S. Postal service and our voicemails. In the community association setting, many boards send their members communications regarding construction projects, newsletters, and simple FYIs via e-mail and members respond in kind. For the most part, this is appreciated. The problem is that many associations

Read More

Becker Attorneys Recognized as Florida Legal Elite

  Becker is pleased to announce that eight attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™.  Now in its sixteenth year, Florida Legal Elite publishes an annual roster of attorneys held in the highest regard by their peers and includes fewer than 1.3% of the active Florida Bar Members […]

Read More

PSA: Condominiums and Websites

I have previously written a few articles for our Community Update about the website requirement for condominiums operating at least 150 units.  Just recently, I represented a condominium that was being investigated by the Division of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), for among other things, failing to have a website.

Read More

Eight Becker Attorneys Newly Board Certified in Condominium & Planned Development Law

June 3, 2019 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – We are pleased to announce that eight Becker attorneys are newly minted as Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium & Planned Development Law. The specialty encompasses the practice of law that involves representing community associations and their members, property owners, sellers, purchasers, developers, lenders, governmental agencies, and […]

Read More

Community Update – April 2019

As most everyone knows, volunteering to serve on your community’s board can oftentimes be a thankless job. This month, we break down some of the rights and responsibilities that the position holds. In our featured article, “Can an Association Be Held Liable for Discriminatory Conduct of Residents?” we explore some of the questions that arise […]

Read More

Community Update – March 2019

Happy spring! As we move into the new season, there’s no better time to start thinking about spring cleaning for your association!  Whether your association board has new members or your building is in need of maintenance, now is the time to make sure you’re on the right track for success. When strangers come together […]

Read More

The Project Costs What!?! That Requires A Membership Vote

Condominium Associations are in the maintenance game it seems at times. Just when one project ends, another is beginning.  Maintenance is simply a fact of life for all condominiums.  A big problem arises in many condominiums, however, when the maintenance project is deemed by the membership to be too expensive as they believe the cost […]

Read More

Community Update – February 2019

This month’s update is all about lowering your risk profile. Read on for a playbook of best practices and procedures that your association should be aware of when dealing with difficult situations such as tenant enforcement actions, insurance company lawsuits, sexual harassment claims, and more. Our featured article, Enforcement Tool Belt – Fining and Suspension, […]

Read More

Community Update – January 2019

Welcome to 2019! We hope that your year is off to a wonderful start. In this issue we hit the ground running so that you can rest assured your association is beginning the new year on a high note. Don’t commit a party foul! This month’s featured article, Performing Rights for Organizations and Associations, digs […]

Read More

Community Update – December 2018

As 2018 comes to a close, we look back at a selection of our most popular Community Update articles. From changes in law to navigating and implementing rules for your association, here are the top five most read articles from this year. For those concerned with regulating smoking in the common areas of your association, Smoking […]

Read More

Community Update – November 2018

Recent updates to the laws and regulations governing association operations are making an impact. In this issue we aim to provide you with the necessary tools and information to move your association forward into the New Year. As of July 1, 2018, condominium associations must now maintain records of their meeting minutes forever. Our first […]

Read More

Community Update – October 2018

Fear not! We’ve got nothing here to scare you. Rather than something spooky on Halloween, we’re aiming for items that are helpful to clarify or ease the board member or management responsibilities you have for your community. So yes, it’s a treat! Our first article, Term Limit Law Continues to Spark Controversy, takes a look […]

Read More

Community Update – September 2018

Of course it doesn’t feel like it in Florida but autumn is officially here, which means before you know it breathing outdoors will be possible again. This of course means more and more comfortable time outdoors, more residents back to living in your association and with it all – more risk. That’s why in this […]

Read More

Community Update – August 2018

With back-to-school season in full swing we don’t want you to miss out on your share of continuing education – certainly not when it comes to the board member or management responsibilities you have for your community. After all, why should the kids have all the fun? In this issue, we aim to provide you […]

Read More

There’s a Membership Meeting in my HOA, Where Does the Notice get Mailed?

It is commonly understood that membership meeting notices are mailed to members in addition to being conspicuously posted. The address used has historically been either the property address in the community or an alternate address provided by the members. Effective July 1, 2018 however, the address to be used takes on a new characteristic for […]

Read More

Community Update – July 2018

Summer is here in full dew point oppression, and while many people take this time to vacate the area, many managers and board members are hard at work with the day-to-day operations and maintenance of Florida’s communities. In this issue, we hope to make some of that work a bit easier. Our featured article, There’s […]

Read More

Seven Becker Attorneys Recognized as Florida Legal Elite

Becker is proud to announce that seven of our shareholders were recently recognized in the 2018 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™.  Alan Becker, Steve Lesser and Ken Direktor from our Ft. Lauderdale office, Marilyn Perez-Martinez and Hugo Alvarez from the Miami office, Gary Schaaf from our Tampa office, and Joseph E. Adams from […]

Read More

Becker, Seven Attorneys Recognized by South Florida Legal Guide

Becker & Poliakoff is honored to be recognized as a “Top Law Firm” for 2018 by the South Florida Legal Guide. We also proudly congratulate the following attorneys named by the SFLG as “Top Lawyers” in its January edition: Perry M. Adair – Commercial and Business Litigation, Real Estate – Land Use and Zoning Alan S. […]

Read More

Florida Trend Names Six Becker & Poliakoff Attorneys as Legal Elite

Now in its 13th year, Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers. The 1,144 lawyers listed in this section exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and by so doing, have garnered the respect and esteem of their colleagues. The following attorneys have been selected by […]

Read More