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. LaToya Sheals is a Senior Government Relations Consultant in Becker’s Government and Lobbying Practice. She has extensive experience in investigating and analyzing legislation and developing public policy […]
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Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of March 11
Government Still Open The House and Senate return to a fully-open Washington, D.C. after lawmakers passed a final appropriations bill fully funding departments set to shut down last Friday – including the Departments of Transportation, Justice, and Commerce – thus ending a drawn-out appropriations process that kicked off this time last year. Members have one […]
Read More“HOA ‘3 Minute Rule’ Questioned” – News-Press
Q: Our homeowners’ association board only lets residents speak at board meetings after taking a vote. They can only speak for 3 minutes in total. My understanding is that the residents should be able to speak before the vote, and they can speak for 3 minutes per item on the agenda. What is the rule […]
Read MoreBecker’s James Mahon & Catelyn Stark Contribute Chapter to International Comparative Legal Guide
James Mahon and Catelyn Stark of Becker’s New Jersey Litigation Team contributed a chapter entitled “Employment & Labour Laws and Regulations USA 2024” to the recently published International Comparative Legal Guide (ILCG). The chapter covers common issues in employment and labor laws and regulations – terms and conditions of employment, employee representation and industrial relations, […]
Read MoreIRS Proposal on Monetized Installment Sales Casts Too Wide a Net — Bloomberg Tax
Becker shareholder Michael Burwick authored the following insights to Bloomberg Tax about why potential complications of proposed IRS regulations on installment sales would require certain advisers to file disclosures. The IRS’s proposed regulations on monetized installment sale transactions are broad enough to implicate ethical transactions in its aim to capture abusive ones. The final regulations […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Jamie Dokovna
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. Jamie Dokovna is a shareholder in our West Palm Beach, FL office. She focuses her practice on business litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and commercial […]
Read MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 8, February 26 – March 1, 2024
50th Day Rule and Budget Conferences Tuesday, February 26, marked the 50th day of the 2024 Legislative Session. With 1,954 bills filed, 30 bills have passed and are awaiting presentation to the Governor. Currently, two bills have been presented to the Governor and six total bills have been signed into law. Tuesday, February 26, also […]
Read MoreBecker Secures Six-Figure Arbitration Victory Against National Homebuilder Toll Brothers, Inc. for Construction Defects
Becker’s New Jersey Litigation Team, led by James Mahon and Catelyn Stark, with support from Vincenzo Mogavero and Martin Cabalar, secured a six-figure victory against national homebuilder Toll Brothers, Inc. for construction defects. The clients experienced construction defects in their new home located in the Reserve at Franklin Lakes, in Bergen County. Problems included pervasive […]
Read MoreBecker Awarded FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Award for 10th Consecutive Year
For the 10th consecutive year, Becker has earned a Diamond Level Readers’ Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). The FLCAJ announced its annual Readers’ Choice Award winners in the March 2024 issue of the magazine. The FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of March 4
Shutdown Averted(?) Lawmakers from both Chambers return to Washington this week after passing another extension of short-term “laddered” government funding to March 8th and 22nd, all before reaching a final agreement on FY24 appropriations for those bills falling under the new March 8th deadline. Over the weekend, Members released the text of a partial appropriations […]
Read More“Owner Questions Board’s Contracting Authority” – News-Press
Q: Recently, my condominium association authorized a major construction project. The contract for the work is several million dollars in value. The board of directors voted to move forward with their preferred contractor and authorize the president to sign. Isn’t this the type of contract that must be voted on by the owners? (O.V., via […]
Read More“Pending New Laws” – FCAP Managers Report
The 2024 Florida Legislative Session ended Friday, March 8th, and it was one of the busiest sessions in memory in terms of producing new community association legislation. Please remember that these bills do not become law until they have been sent to the Governor who then has fifteen (15) days to sign a bill, veto […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – February 2024
This issue of CUP features a helpful guide for board members, information on new term limits, and tips to save money on your property taxes. Don’t miss our featured podcast episode, “Navigating Defamation Lawsuits and Non-Compete Clauses!” Employers are relying more and more on independent contractors instead of employees. While using independent contractors can have […]
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 MoreThe Impact of the New Department of Labor Rule on Worker Classification and Ensuring Proper Classification of Workers
In the early 2000s, employers and established businesses rarely sought out the work of independent contractors. Now decades later this has changed significantly as employers are relying more and more on independent contractors instead of employees. While using independent contractors can have certain benefits, there can also be certain risks especially when it comes to […]
Read MoreAddressing Burdensome Records Requests via the Rule-Making Power of Condominium Associations
Records requests can become quite daunting when a board of directors is faced with a high volume of demands from unit owners asserting their right of inspection of the association’s official records. Section 718.111(12)(c)(1) of the Florida Condominium Act (“Act”) permits condominium associations to “adopt reasonable rules regarding the frequency, time, location, notice, and manner […]
Read MoreSo, You Received a Written Inquiry
Your community association has just received, by certified mail, a letter from a unit owner with several questions about the operation of the Association. What do you do next? First and foremost, you should always ensure that your community association’s legal counsel is promptly notified of such inquiries because receipt alone may trigger time sensitive […]
Read MoreNot In My Backyard! Regulating Short-Term Vacation Rentals with Texas Attorney David Schwarte
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! It’s a complex issue that is reshaping neighborhoods and communities across the country. We are talking about Airbnb, a homestay rental experience that has quickly become a major disruptor in the global hospitality industry. It’s also become a major security concern in many private […]
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’s Washington Weekly: Week of February 26
Shutdown Showdown House and Senate lawmakers return to Washington this week, cutting short their President’s Day recess in an attempt to pass a full appropriations bill ahead of a partial government shutdown this Friday (and a full shutdown next Friday). The leadership of both parties will meet with President Joe Biden this week at the […]
Read MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 7, February 19 – February 23, 2024
“Where Are We in the Process?” As the legislative session approaches its conclusion, it’s a critical time for many bills that are still in the pipeline. The 50th Day, a significant milestone in the legislative calendar, is on Tuesday, February 27th. This day marks a period when the focus sharpens on advancing bills through the […]
Read More“Term Limit Law Still 2 Years Away” – News-Press
Q: My condominium association will be having its annual meeting soon, which will include an election for members to the board of directors. Some of our board members have served for numerous years, and I understood that there are now term limits on the number of years a board member could serve. What is the […]
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 MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 6, February 12 – February 16, 2024
40-Day Count Down We have now completed 40 days of the 60-day 2024 Legislative Session. The focus is now shifting to bills being heard on the floor as opposed to committee meetings. For those bills that have been assigned to committees but have not been heard, the likelihood of them passing this session is minimal. […]
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