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, […]
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Becker 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 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, […]
Read MoreUPDATE: Dryer Vent Regulations Are Being Enforced by the Local Fire Safety Officials
Hopefully, everyone is aware that most Associations’ insurance Companies have been recommending/requiring regular dryer vent cleaning and/or repair (usually every two (2) or three (3) years). Many associations have adopted Resolutions that govern when Owners must perform cleanings and inspection and engage professionals to make needed repairs to the dryer vents to prevent fire hazards. […]
Read MoreInvolved Versus Committed: Does My Community Association Need a Social Media Policy?
Across the green from Becker’s Morristown office is a delightful restaurant named “The Committed Pig.” When you walk in the door, a sign on the wall explains the restaurant’s interesting moniker: the best way to describe the difference between involvement and commitment is “bacon & eggs” the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed […]
Read MoreJohn S. Prisco Named CAI NJ’s “Speaker of the Year”
We are thrilled to announce Becker shareholder John S. Prisco has been named “Speaker of the Year” by the Community Association Institute’s New Jersey Chapter. John earned this recognition for leading a November 2023 webinar, “Preparing for the Future—Continuity Planning for Community Associations.” In his discussion, John shared his insights on disaster preparedness and the […]
Read MoreFrom Developer to Homeowners: A Brief Overview of Transition in New Jersey Community Associations
Congratulations on becoming homeowners in your new community! As you settle in and start to personalize your spaces, an important milestone awaits: the transfer of control from the developer to the unit owners. This process, known as “transition,” marks the moment when you and your fellow residents take the reins of your community, shaping its […]
Read MoreBecker Spotlight: Martin Cabalar on Developer Transition, Construction Defects, & New Jersey’s Structural Integrity and Reserve Funding Law
Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers as a ‘Rising Star,’ if you spend a few minutes with Martin Cabalar, you’ll realize it’s true. Cabalar, a shareholder in Becker’s New Jersey office, is part of the firm’s community association and construction litigation practice groups. He wears several hats, from serving as General Counsel for community associations […]
Read MoreWebinar: Impending NJ Legislative Mandates
A new law is now in effect in New Jersey, which imposes stricter requirements for building inspections and reserve studies. Governor Phil Murphy recently signed S2760 / A4384, effective January 8, 2024. Are you and your community ready for what may be coming? Do you want to know how it will help keep your […]
Read MoreNew Jersey Governor Signs S2760/A4384: What It Means for Your Association
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently signed S2760 / A4384, a new law effective in New Jersey as of January 8, 2024, which includes two major components affecting community associations. The first component concerns building inspections, and the second component pertains to reserve studies. Read below for an overview of these two components and the […]
Read MoreWebinar: BeckerBALLOT Online Voting Platform Session 2 – LIVE Demo!
Since 2016, Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowners’ Associations have been able to conduct votes electronically, including elections! If you haven’t implemented online voting in your community, think of all the postage, manpower, and sheer hassle that can be saved by utilizing BeckerBALLOT.com! Electronic voting curbs voter fraud as it eliminates the possibility of stuffing a […]
Read More“How to Proactively Utilize Your Community Association Attorney” – Community Trends
Normally, attorneys must be reactive when asked to address an important question, issue, or even a pending lawsuit, so it is a pleasant surprise when attorneys are asked to be proactive and impart their wisdom and advice to our community association clients. Here are a few suggestions for how your community association can proactively utilize […]
Read MoreWebinar: BeckerBALLOT Online Voting Platform – LIVE Demo!
Since 2016, Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowners’ Associations have been able to conduct votes electronically, including elections! If you haven’t implemented online voting in your community, think of all the postage, manpower, and sheer hassle that can be saved by utilizing BeckerBALLOT.com! Electronic voting curbs voter fraud as it eliminates the possibility of stuffing a […]
Read MoreTort Immunity in New Jersey Community Associations
The word “immunity” can conjure up many feelings, especially after living through the past few years of COVID-19. This is somewhat ironic because a different type of immunity became a flashpoint for community associations during the pandemic – tort immunity. Tort immunity is a legal theory that provides, in certain circumstances, that a person or […]
Read MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act: What Is It and Does It Apply to Community Associations?
In 2021 Congress passed and the president signed the Corporate Transparency Act or CTA as part of the larger Anti-Money Laundering Act. Under these laws the federal government targets tax fraud, terrorism, and money laundering by requiring US-formed corporations, limited liability companies, and any entity that registers its formation with the state to report certain […]
Read MoreBecker Expands Footprint in Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia with Grand Opening of Mount Laurel Office
July 1, 2023 – Mount Laurel, NJ – Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals in offices throughout the East Coast is pleased to announce that the firm’s third New Jersey office, based in Mount Laurel, has officially opened. The new office, led by Jonathan H. Katz, will assist clients with community […]
Read MoreIs Your Community Association Receiving the Benefits of the Municipal Services Act?
New Jersey’s Municipal Services Act, N.J.S.A. 40:67-23.2 to -23.8, which went into effect in 1993, is the first (and possibly still the only) legislation in the country that requires cities and towns to provide certain municipal services or reimbursements to community associations within their borders. In short, the Act requires every municipality in New Jersey to either: […]
Read More“Searching With My Good Eye Closed: Addressing Mental Illness in Community Associations ” – Community Trends
On December 19, 2022, a 73-year-old resident of a condominium in Toronto, Canada shot and killed five people — including three members of the association board — allegedly over a long-running dispute with the association. According to the police reports and court documents, the resident had for a significant time claimed that vibrations and emissions […]
Read MoreThe New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender Questionnaire: To Answer, or Not to Answer, That Is the Question!
The Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) recently issued new temporary requirements as an attempt to mitigate risk in community association loan underwriting. Many other industries within the community association world, such as insurance, have adjusted costs and guidelines in an effort to mitigate risk as […]
Read MoreIs your Association Safe from a Large Counsel Fee Award?
Lately, there has been an uptick in lawsuits against our Associations when the majority of the Board decides to remove a Board Member who has allegedly become unruly or is proving to be very difficult to handle. Most governing documents contain provisions whereby the Association indemnifies all Board Members against losses, costs, and expenses that […]
Read MoreBecker Opens Third New Jersey Office and Grows Community Association Practice: Jonathan H. Katz and Loren Rosenberg Lightman Join the Firm’s Community Association Practice
May 8, 2023 – Morristown, NJ — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the U.S., announces that Jonathan H. Katz and Loren Rosenberg Lightman have joined as shareholders in the firm’s New Jersey community association practice. They will be based in the firm’s new Mount Laurel and Red […]
Read MoreVincenzo M. Mogavero and Martin C. Cabalar Successful in Obtaining a Pre-Answer Dismissal with Prejudice on Behalf of Florida Client
Vincenzo M. Mogavero and Martin C. Cabalar were successful in obtaining a pre-answer dismissal with prejudice of the claims asserted against their Florida client because of the lack of personal jurisdiction in New Jersey. They obtained a decision from the New Jersey Appellate Division affirming the trial court’s decision in all respects. The unpublished decision […]
Read MoreDavid L. Dockery Promoted to Shareholder
April 3, 2023 – Morristown, NJ — Becker, a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals throughout the US, announced today that David L. Dockery has been promoted to Shareholder in Becker’s Morristown, New Jersey office. David Ramsey, Chair of Becker’s New Jersey Community Association Practice Group said, “We are pleased to […]
Read MoreCandid Conversations on Community Association Living
Becker’s Take It To The Board podcast, hosted by shareholder Donna DiMaggio Berger, explores the reality of life in a community association. Among many special guests, nine Becker attorneys from across the firm, have appeared and discussed their area of expertise as it relates to community living. Tune in for these candid discussions which just might […]
Read MoreBecker New Jersey Community Update for January 2023
The New Jersey Community Update newsletter is out for January, and this issue covers a range of topics. Shareholder David Dockery delves into everything you need to know about electronic voting for your condo/HOA in New York/New Jersey, and how moving to electronic voting can save your association time and money. Becker’s Community Association Practice […]
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