Siegfried Rivera

Taking before-and-after pictures of the properties' exteriors is vital, particularly the windows and roof. This will be crucial in preserving evidence and determining the association's damages in the event of an insurance claim.

Click here for more hurricane preparedness tips: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/blog/hurricane-season-is-your-community-association-ready/

Thanks to BOMA, CREW and CCIM for the opportunity to participate and sponsor a happy hour in Coral Gables last week! We had a fantastic time networking with members and strengthening our relationships within the community, and we look forward to more collaborations in the future!

Happy Labor Day! Today, we celebrate the spirit of hard work and determination that drives us forward.

Our offices are closed today and will reopen on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Join us for our upcoming "Own the Meeting" webinar on September 5th at noon. This webinar is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and ensure you're fully prepared to run your next meeting. Our panelists will cover essential topics, including meeting minutes, notice requirements, Robert's Rules of Order, and more.

Take advantage of this chance to elevate your meeting game and gain valuable insights. Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-Q67XnGnRGSqpgyOGNU2Qg

Weekend workouts are better together! Our SR team had a blast pushing limits and breaking a sweat at Body Code Fitness. A huge thanks to the amazing trainers for keeping us motivated and making Saturday mornings so much fun! 💪

Parking is a hot commodity for restauranteurs. Restaurants must provide sufficient parking for patrons, with options like exclusive parking rights, take-out parking and valet parking being considered. However, these options may not control usage duration. Covering all parking issues and options when negotiating the lease is crucial.

Click here to read more about hot issues affecting restaurant leases: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/blog/hot-issues-in-restaurant-leases/

Shareholder Shari Wald Garrett authored our latest edition of the firm’s “Real Estate Counselor” column in the Miami Herald. Her article focuses on an overlooked area of potential legal liability for community associations: pet policies.

Dog Attack Lawsuit Against HOA Illustrates Importance of Pet Policies Discover the potential legal risks of HOA pet policies. Find out why clear rules and policies are crucial to address and prevent dangers from aggressive dogs.

Nineteen of our talented, experienced attorneys have been named to the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Practice areas listed include community association law, construction law, construction litigation and real estate law. Congratulations to all who are recognized and thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Click here to read more: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/press-release/

Hurricane Preparedness Tip 🌀

Communication is key when preparing for a hurricane. An association must do its due diligence by reaching out to every resident, holding informational sessions, providing emergency contact lists and documenting unit/home conditions.

Call us to learn more about our experienced insurance attorneys and how they help maximize financial recovery after a covered insurance loss.

Shareholder Laura Manning Hudson authored an article for the Miami Herald‘s “Real Estate Counselor” column. The article focuses on three recent Palm Beach County Circuit Court lawsuits involving an electric scooter accident and two falls. It discusses how Florida community associations must reasonably maintain their properties and take necessary precautions to prevent foreseeable hazards.

Accident Lawsuits Highlight Potential Liabilities of Negligent Maintenance for Community Associations Discover the potential liabilities faced by Florida community associations in this insightful article. Learn about the importance of proper maintenance and safety precautions.

Mark your calendars for August 28th! We're excited to participate in a panel discussion featuring some incredible speakers, including mayors, commissioners, lobbyists, and our very own shareholder, Jonathan M. Mofsky, a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law.

Take advantage of this opportunity to hear about the latest legislative changes and how they will impact condominiums throughout the state.

Be informed, be prepared. See you there!

Hurricane Preparedness Tip 🌀

Protecting your home significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death. Ensure your home’s structure is stable, and add shutters or impact windows for protection. Tie down or remove any items that may become projectiles to avoid more damage or injury.

Click here for more hurricane preparedness tips: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/blog/hurricane-season-is-your-community-association-ready/

Congratulations to shareholder Jeffrey S. Respler for becoming a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law. Board certification in a practice area recognizes lawyers with specialized expertise, abilities, proficiency and an outstanding track record for professionalism and integrity. We are proud of Jeff on this notable accomplishment and are happy to say we now have SIX Florida Bar Board Certified Specialists in Construction Law.

Shareholder Stuart Sobel’s recent win for firm client Malcolm Drilling caught the attention of the editors and reporters at the Daily Business Review. The DBR’s article focused on Sobel’s work securing a major decision in an arbitrated settlement for Malcolm, one of the country’s largest foundation builders for major construction sites.

Sobel said, “$6.4 million was our claim, but then we were met with a counterclaim of $7 million, so we were actually fighting over about $15 million. Before arbitration, we went to mediation, and this is a case of ‘should have settled at mediation,’ and I’m sure the other side now wishes they had come to mediation with a different tactic.”

Click the link in bio to read the complete article.

Shareholder Stuart Sobel's recent win for firm client Malcolm Drilling caught the attention of the editors and reporters at the Daily Business Review. The DBR's article focused on Sobel's work securing a major decision in an arbitrated settlement for Malcolm, one of the country's largest foundation builders for major construction sites.

Sobel said, "$6.4 million was our claim, but then we were met with a counterclaim of $7 million, so we were actually fighting over about $15 million. Before arbitration, we went to mediation, and this is a case of 'should have settled at mediation,' and I'm sure the other side now wishes they had come to mediation with a different tactic."

Miami Attorney Secures Major Arbitration Win for Malcolm Drilling in $15M Dispute | Daily Business Review My experts teach me whatever the case is, said Stuart Sobel of Siegfried Rivera, reflecting on his big arbitration victory.

Recently enacted House Bills 1021 and 1203 provide new board certification education requirements for directors of condominium and homeowners associations. The Division is currently the ONLY provider approved to offer courses that meet the new continuing education requirement.

Board members should be cautious of other providers offering these courses, as they will not fulfill the requirement.

Read our latest post to get information on how to satisfy the requirement.

Board Member Certification Course Information Discover the changes in board certification education requirements for association board members in Florida and how they may impact you.

Hurricane Preparedness Tip 🌀

When public officials order an evacuation due to an approaching storm, it's crucial to leave immediately. Staying behind can put your life and the residents of your association at risk, and emergency services may not be able to reach them in time. Protect yourself and your loved ones—evacuate when told to!

Fire safety is crucial for the well-being of all residents. Condominium associations must stay informed and compliant with the latest Florida Fire Prevention Code requirements. Join us for a status briefing on Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA). Don’t miss this important session!

Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wHJQzHV8SvCKgvMqoXYGcw #/registration

Last week, we were happy to co-sponsor the North Miami Managers Group lunch & learn at Morton's. The event became even more special when Manuel, the property manager for one of our community association clients, won the raffle! We look forward to joining more lunch and learn sessions in the future.

A few months ago, we alerted you to a case challenging the filing requirements brought on by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The Community Association Institute's Board of Trustees recently announced that it approved filing a lawsuit to exempt and protect community associations from the burdensome CTA filing requirements.

As a reminder, the CTA became effective on January 1, 2024, for all new entities filed on or after the beginning of the year and will become effective on January 1, 2025, for all currently existing entities. Noncompliance with filing could result in civil and criminal penalties. As of now, community associations are not exempt from the filing requirement.

Click here to read our latest CTA update: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/blog/cai-plans-lawsuit-seeking-exemption-from-cta-for-community-associations/

Check out shareholder George Breur's latest article, published in the Miami Herald. He discusses how new amendments to the state's laws and a recent lawsuit by a Palm Beach association illustrate how owners in new communities must move quickly with property inspections to detect construction defects and file any potential claims timely.

Lawsuit and New Laws Underscore Importance of Expeditious Inspections in New Communities Understand the importance of expeditious property inspections in new communities. Discover how recent legal developments emphasize the need for prompt action.

We had a fantastic time at last week's CAM University trade show in beautiful Orlando, Florida! 🌴☀️ It was a pleasure connecting with property managers, board members and community association industry vendors throughout the day. We're looking forward to the next event!

Hurricane Preparedness Tip 🌀

Review the 'Emergency Powers' section of the Condominium Act. These powers equip your board of directors to ensure the safety and protection of condominium property and residents during and after emergencies like hurricanes. Powers include the opportunity to conduct unnoticed meetings, deny guests or entry to specific areas of the property, require evacuation and avoid liability for residents who stay, pledge association assets as collateral to fund emergency repairs, etc. Stay informed and prepared!

Throughout July, our firm has presented numerous legal update seminars, educating attendees on the latest laws impacting condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations. We also developed a comprehensive legal update summary available to those interested in learning more about this year's legislation. Email us now to get your copy today: [email protected].

Here's your opportunity to join our fantastic team, where over half of our staff has been with our firm for a decade or longer! Discover why longevity and excellence go hand in hand at Siegfried Rivera. Apply today!

Visit the careers page of our website to learn more about the open positions: https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/the-firm/careers/

Hurricane Tip 🌀

It's not just about the construction; it's about your safety. Know your contractor's emergency plan if a construction project is underway. Ensure they will protect the area, remove potential projectiles, and make sure that hoists, scaffolding and cranes are properly tied down to avoid damage to property and residents. Let our attorneys help ensure your project is safe before the storm hits!

The Real Deal recently mentioned our firm's real estate team for its involvement in two transactions totaling over $70 million. Shareholder Jonathan Cohen is the lead attorney for the deal, representing Prosper Group in purchasing two sites in Miami-Dade County.

Our real estate team has over four decades of experience assisting clients in complex, multimillion-dollar real estate transactions. We represent buyers and sellers, ensuring their deals and investments are protected.

Click the following link to read more about these transactions and Prospect's plans for both sites: https://therealdeal.com/miami/2024/07/02/prosper-group-to-buy-miami-dade-county-dev-sites-for-70m/

From insightful lectures on critical topics to active participation in industry events, our team drives meaningful discussions and stays engaged with our community. We already have various informational and fun-filled events planned for quarters 3 and 4! Subscribe to our newsletter today to be the first to receive invites to our upcoming events!

Here's a sneak peek of what's ahead in Quarter 3:

Legal Update: Coming Soon!

Board Member Certification Courses: Coming Soon!