Hill Wallack LLP announced today the growth of its Community Associations Practice Group, adding three leading attorneys, Gregg A. Shivers, George C. Greatrex Jr., and Jennifer A. Webb. This group provides counsel to condominium and homeowner associations, cooperatives, and real estate developers, working closely with association governing boards and committees, management companies, and other professionals to ensure proper and cost-effective operations throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Located at Cherry Hill Plaza, this new team and location have expanded the firm’s presence in southern New Jersey, joining offices in Red Bank, New York, Princeton, and Cedar Knolls. Ronald L. Perl, Partner-in-Charge of the Community Associations Practice Group, stated, “This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us, as we will easily be the state’s most geographically dominant community association practice. In my view, we are leaders in terms of talent as well, and now with George and Gregg aboard, we will seek to continue our group’s expansion throughout the entire state.”

Hill Wallack LLP partner Michael S. Karpoff, Esq. was honored recently by the Community Associations Institute’s College of Community Association Lawyers (“CCAL”) as co-author of the 2019 CAI Law Seminar Best Manuscript. Karpoff, a fellow of the CCAL, was joined by co-authors Kevin M. Hirzel, Esq., Edward Hoffman, Jr., Esq., and Todd A. Sinkins, Esq., in preparing and presenting a paper and program entitled Religion in Community Associations: Fair Housing or Free Speech? Thou Shalt Not Violate the Law.

The 40^th Annual Community Association Law Seminar was held in New Orleans January 23 through 26, 2019. The Law Seminar explored trends and practices in community association law for attorneys and other industry professionals. The Religion in Community Associations program presented legal requirements, obligations, options, and ideas for community associations concerning religious practices of residents, to help attorneys and other professionals advise and guide their clients appropriately. The paper was selected as the Best Manuscript by the Law Seminar Planning Committee and the CCAL Board of Governors.

To read the full manuscript, click here.

For more information on this or any other issue concerning your community association, please contact one of our Community Associations attorneys. For breaking news or updates on new blog posts, follow us on Twitter at: @njcondolaw, on Facebook at: njcondolaw, and on LinkedIn at: Hill Wallack Community Association Attorneys.

By Michael S. Karpoff, Esq.

A recent decision by the Appellate Division of New Jersey’s Superior Court demonstrates the need for precision in defining what method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) an association utilizes or agrees to. Carelessly referring to the ADR procedure as an arbitration can make the ultimate decision binding upon the parties, even if one of the parties had something else in mind.

Attorneys’ Communications Outweighed Asserted Intent

In Marano v. The Hills Highlands Master Association, Inc., which was decided on November 16, 2017, the Court rejected the Association’s argument that it was not bound by an arbitration award because the procedure it had used was intended to be a mediation. The Court found that plaintiff’s counsel had repeatedly referred to the procedure as an arbitration and the hearing officer as the arbitrator without objection by the Association’s attorney, and, in fact, the Association’s attorney had referred on at least one occasion to the hearing officer as “the arbitrator.” The hearing officer submitted to the attorneys an agreement to mediate, which they signed; however, she apparently understood her role as being an arbitrator because she later issued an “Award in Arbitration.”

By Jonathan H. Katz, Esq.

On October 29, 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court granted certification (meaning that the Court will hear the appeal) of the Appellate Court’s decision in Cypress Point Condominium Association, Inc. v. Adria Towers, LLC. Specifically, the question certified for review by the Supreme Court is: “In this dispute regarding insurance coverage under a general contractor’s commercial general liability policy, do these damages constitute ‘property damage’ and an ‘occurrence’ where subcontractors’ defective work caused consequential damages to the common areas of a condominium complex and to the unit owners’ property?”

As discussed in a previous blog post, the Appellate Division held that the Insurance Service Office (ISO) 1986 standard commercial general liability insurance policy does not bar coverage to developers in association construction defects cases alleging consequential damages based upon poor workmanship by subcontractors. The Court concluded that consequential damages caused by a subcontractor’s defective work, presumably unintended and unexpected, constitute “property damage” and “occurrence” under the ISO 1986 policy. Therefore, in a condominium association’s lawsuit against a developer for defective construction resulting in consequential damages, the developer’s insurer may have a duty to defend the developer and indemnify the developer against such claims.

Hill Wallack LLP’s Community Association Practice Group will be exhibiting at the 2015 CAI-NJ Annual Conference & Expo, which is being held on Saturday, September 26, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey.

This year’s conference returns to Central Jersey, so do not miss out on the exciting lineup of networking events, educational sessions, informative exhibits and more! Registration is FREE for all homeowners and board members (pre-registration is recommended). This year’s keynote speaker is Terry Watson, who will speak about “The Essential Truths… The Unspoken Rules… The New Consumer Demands,” simple strategies and systems that provide obscene return of your time, energy, motivation and income. Big Joe Henry of NJ101.5 will be broadcasting his show live from 10-3 p.m., there will be plenty of giveaways and FREE breakfast and lunch.

Come see us at Booth 505!

To register to attend the 2015 CAI-NJ Annual Conference & Expo, click here. For more information and to review the Conference & Expo Program Schedule, click here.