Special Legal Section
Published December 2018
FLCAJ congratulates the commitment that these Florida Bar Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Attorneys have made. Of the 127 attorneys who have obtained this certification, we are glad to recognize 50 of them.
Joseph E. Adams, Esq.
Becker
12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 200
Ft. Myers, FL 33966
239-433-7707
jadams@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Disaster Recovery. Offices in Ft. Myers and Naples
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law
- Vice Chair, The Florida Bar Condominium and Planned Development Law Certification Committee
- Member, Becker’s Management Committee
Viviana Aspuru, Esq.
Rennert Vogel Mandler & Rodriguez P.A.
100 SE Second Street, Suite 2900
Miami, FL 33131
305-423-3432
vaspuru@rvmrlaw.com
www.rvmrlaw.com
Specializing in representation of developers in the structuring, creation, and operation of residential and commercial condominiums, hotel and resort condominiums, and planned community developments since 2004.
B.A., Florida International University J.D., University of Miami School of Law
Keith F. Backer, Esq.
Backer Aboud Poliakoff & Foelster
400 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 420
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-361-8535;
800-251-3562
kbacker@bapflaw.com
www.bapflaw.com
Mr. Backer is the managing partner of Backer Aboud Poliakoff & Foelster LLP. He has provided legal counsel to hundreds of community association clients in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties for more than three decades. He left a previous firm in 1995 to create a firm that he felt could better provide personalized service to community associations.
Amanda K. Barritt, Esq.
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A.
1715 Monroe Street
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
239-344-1108
amanda.barritt@henlaw.com
www.henlaw.com
Amanda Barritt is a specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law and serves as Chair of Henderson Franklin’s condominium and homeowners associations practice group. She represents residential and commercial condominiums, as well as homeowners and property owners associations, in all aspects of condominium and property association law.
Donna DiMaggio Berger, Esq.
Becker
1 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1800
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-987-7550
dberger@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Represents all types and sizes of community associations throughout Florida
Related areas: Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL), Disaster Recovery
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law
- Member, College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
- Founder—CommunityAssociationLawBlog.com
Andrew B. Black, Esq.
Kaye Bender Rembaum
1200 Park Central Blvd South
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
954-928-0680
ABlack@KBRLegal.com
KBRLegal.com
Andrew Black received his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006. He joined KBR in 2007, was elevated to a Member in 2016, and assists the firm’s clients on all aspects of community association operations. He conducts board member certification seminars and enjoys speaking on pertinent community association topics.
Lee H. Burg, Esq.
Becker
1 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1800
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-987-7550
lburg@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Concentrating on Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Real Estate Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law
- Member, American Bar Association and Florida Bar Association
Harry W. Carls, Esq.
Becker
Regions Bank Building, 111 N. Orange Avenue, Ste. 1400
Orlando, FL 32801
407-875-0955
hcarls@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Community Association Litigation & Covenant Enforcement.
Orlando office Co-Managing Shareholder
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law
- Certified Court Mediator
James Robert Caves, III, Esq.
Becker
12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 200
Ft. Myers, FL 33966
239-433-7707
rcaves@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practice dedicated to Community Associations, primarily as General Counsel
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Technology/Telecommunications
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Served as a staff attorney for the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee
Howard Allen Cohen, Esq.
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
401 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 2250
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-335-1589
howard.cohen@bipc.com
www.bipc.com/Howard-Allen-Cohen/
Florida Board Certified in both Condominium and Planned Development Law & Real Estate Law.
Preparation & revision of residential & commercial project documents for both developers & associations; Commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, leases, construction contracting & financing; Real estate litigation including access, easement & quiet title disputes.
University of Chicago Law School
Michael E. Chapnick, Esq.
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach
561-296-5444
www.srhl-law.com
Michael Chapnick has focused on community association law since 1996. He focuses his practice exclusively on community association representation, counseling condominium associations, homeowners associations, cooperatives, time-shares, and deed restricted communities on all aspects of community association law. He is a regular contributor to the firm’s community association law blog, FloridaHOALaw.com.
Douglas G. Christy, Esq.
Becker
1511 N. Westshore Boulevard, Suite 1000
Tampa, FL 33607
813-527-3900
dchristy@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practice dedicated to Community Association/HOA Law
Related areas: Community Association Litigation & Covenant Enforcement
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Recognized as a “Rising Star,” by Florida Super Lawyers, 2015–2018
Lance D. Clouse, Esq.
Becker
Royal Palm Financial Center, 759 SW Federal Highway, Suite 213
Stuart, FL 34994
772-286-2990
lclouse@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practice dedicated to Community Association/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Florida Bar
Jane L. Cornett, Esq.
Becker
Royal Palm Financial Center,
759 SW Federal Highway, Ste. 213
Stuart, FL 34994
772-286-2990
jcornett@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practice dedicated to Community Association/HOA Law and Golf Course Communities
Related areas: Corporate Representation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
Philip J. Croyle, Esq.
Philip J. Croyle PA
370 Camino Gardens Boulevard, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-368-4408
philcroyle@croylelaw.com
www.croylelaw.com
A specialist in Condominium/HOA law since 1992.
Providing personal, prompt, and professional service to community association boards and small businesses, including litigation, in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
B.A., Goshen College (IN) 1973
J.D., Case Western Reserve University (OH) 1977
Jonathan James Damonte, B.C.S. , Esq.
Law Offices of Jonathan James Damonte Chartered
12110 Seminole Boulevard
Largo, FL 33778
727-586-2889
jdamonte@damontelaw.com
www.damontelaw.com
Jonathan James Damonte is a Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney based in Largo, Florida, and principal of Jonathan James Damonte Chartered. He received a B.A. in business administration from University of South Florida, Tampa, in 1976, and a J.D. (Juris Doctor) from Stetson College of Law, St. Petersburg, FL, in 1979.
Christopher N. Davies, Esq.
Cohen & Grigsby P.C.
Mercato–Suite 6200,
9110 Strada Place
Naples, FL 34108
239-390-1900
cdavies@cohenlaw.com
www.cohenlaw.com
Mr. Davies has represented more than 500 Florida community associations on matters of board governance. The depth and breadth of legal services at Cohen & Grigsby allows for representation in areas frequently encountered by boards of directors beyond daily governance, such as enforcement of covenants, policies and rules, dispute resolution, insurance, foreclosures, employment, and contractual matters.
Rosa M. de la Camara, Esq.
Becker
Alhambra Towers,
121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-262-4433
rdelacamara@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practice dedicated to Community Association/HOA Law
Related areas: Hotel Condo issues.
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Becker’s Management Committee
Richard D. DeBoest, Esq.
Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross PLLC
2030 McGregor Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-333-2992
rdeboest@gadclaw.com
www.gadclaw.com
Richard D. DeBoest’s practice is concentrated exclusively in community association law. He is a sought-after expert on community association law, with regular speaking engagements and a column featured weekly in multiple news publications, covering topics such as assessment collection, management of board meetings, community association law, and more.
Kenneth S. Direktor, Esq.
Becker
1 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1800
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-987-7550
kdirektor@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Disaster Recovery
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
- Member, Becker’s Management Committee
- Chair, Community Association Practice Group at Becker
Peter Dunbar, Esq.
Dean, Mead & Dunbar
215 S. Monroe Street, Suite 815
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-999-4100
pdunbar@deanmead.com
www.deanmead.com
Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law.
Specializes in Condominium and HOA law involving community operations and governance, covenant enforcement and interpretation, real property disputes, and other community living legal issues.
Other areas of practice: Government Relations and Lobbying; Administrative Law; Water and Agribusiness Law.
Kevin L. Edwards, Esq.
Becker
6230 University Parkway, Suite 204
Sarasota, FL 34240
941-366-8826
kedwards@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Education Committee of the Community Associations Institute
Lilliana M. Farinas-Sabogal, Esq.
Becker
Alhambra Towers,
121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-262-4433
lfarinas@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law and Business Litigation
Related areas: Community Association Litigation & Covenant Enforcement, Corporate Representation, Appellate Litigation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Former Adjunct Professor, St. Thomas University, School of Law
Mark D. Friedman, Esq.
Becker
625 N. Flagler Drive, 7th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-655-5444
mfriedman@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Disaster Recovery
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Frequent lecturer to community and civic organizations
Michael J. Gelfand, Esq.
Gelfand & Arpe P.A.
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-655-6224
MJGelfand@gelfandarpe.com
www.gelfandarpe.com
Specialist: Community Association Law. Firm established: 1991. Dual Florida Bar Board Certified: Condominium and Planned Development; and Real Estate. Circuit & County Civil Court Mediator, HOA Mediator, Arbitrator, Parliamentarian.
Florida Bar Author and Lecturer.
Fellow, College of Community Association Lawyers
Past Chair, Boca Raton Builders Board of Adjustment and Appeals
Eric Glazer, Esq.
Glazer & Sachs
One Emerald Place
3113 Stirling Road, Suite 201
Hollywood, FL 33312
954-983-1112
eric@condo-laws.com
www.condo-laws.com
Owner of Glazer and Sachs P.A., representing associations since 1992. The firm has certified approximately 15,000 board members statewide, has broadcast the Condo Craze and HOAs radio show since 2009, is certified by The Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Court Mediator, has drafted numerous provisions of the Florida Condominium and HOA statutes, and is a writer of the www.hoa-condoblog.com.
Michael C. Góngora, Esq.
Becker
Alhambra Towers,
121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-262-4433
mgongora@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law and Commercial Litigation
Related areas: Collections & Foreclosure, Corporate Representation, Business Litigation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Elected for the third time to serve on the Miami Beach Commission (2017–2021)
Joyce Goodman-Guenther, Esq.
Joyce Goodman-Guenther P.A.
10723 SW 104 Street
Miami, FL 33176
305-274-5668
jgg@jgguentherlaw.com
www.jgguentherlaw.com
Board certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Since 1991, I have provided comprehensive legal representation for community associations in all areas affecting the existence and operation of the association. I am a certified county, circuit, and appellate court mediator and can serve as a third-party neutral to assist disputing parties.
Allison L. Hertz, Esq.
Kaye Bender Rembaum
9121 North Military Trail, Suite 200
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
561-241-4462
AHertz@KBRLegal.com
KBRLegal.com
Ms. Hertz is a Palm Beach County native and has been exclusively practicing community association law throughout Florida for her entire legal career. Ms. Hertz graduated from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, Ft. Lauderdale, in 2007.
Michael L. Hyman, Esq.
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach
305-442-3334
www.srhl-law.com
Michael Hyman has focused on community association law since 1970, when he was one of the first attorneys to concentrate on the practice area in Florida. He is a member of the 1994 charter class of the Community Associations Institute’s College of Community Association Lawyers, which recognizes the leading attorneys focusing on condominium law nationwide.
Robert L. Kaye, Esq.
Kaye Bender Rembaum
1200 Park Central Boulevard SouthPompano Beach, FL 33064
954-928-0680
RKaye@KBRLegal.com
KBRLegal.com
Mr. Kaye graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1986, practicing community association law since 1987, and is the founder and a managing member of Kaye Bender Rembaum. Mr. Kaye has served on the Florida Bar’s Grievance Committee and also on the Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law.
Elizabeth A. Lanham-Patrie, Esq.
Becker
Regions Bank Building,
111 N. Orange Ave., Suite 1400
Orlando, FL 32801
407-875-0955
bpatrie@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Community Associations Institute and Orange County Bar Association
Richard E. Larsen, Esq.
Larsen & Associates P.L. and The Collection Law Firm PLLC
300 S. Orange Avenue, Ste. 1575
Orlando, FL 32801
407-841-6555
info@larsenandassociates.com
www.larsenandassociates.com
Dedicated solely to the practice of community association law. Specializing in condominium/HOA law since 1989. Founder of Larsen & Associates P.L. and The Collection Law Firm PLLC. Martindale-Hubbell rated: AV Preeminent.
B.S. Purdue University
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Member: Florida Bar; Illinois Bar
Past President CAI Mid-Florida Chapter
Lisa A. Lerner, Esq.
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach 305-442-3334
www.srhl-law.com
Lisa Lerner has focused on community association law since 1983. She was appointed to serve as an original member of The Florida Bar’s Condominium and Planned Development Law Certification Committee, in which she assisted in developing the board certification process for the newly created condominium community certification specialty area.
Jay Steven Levine, Esq.
Levine Law Group
Offices in Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, and Indian Harbour Beach
561-999-9925; 561-627-3585
jsl@jsllawgroup.com
www.jsllawgroup.com
Jay Steven Levine, of the Levine Law Group, with offices located in Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, and by appointment in Indian Harbour Beach [1-800-260-0226], has practiced community association law since 1980, addressing the following: Drafting amendments and entire re-writes, contracts, construction, casualty, insurance and disaster recovery, assessment collections, statutory and document interpretation, opinion letters, association loans, and arbitration/court actions.
Gary M. Mars, Esq.
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach
305-442-3334
www.srhl-law.com
Gary Mars has focused on community association law since 1991. In addition to working closely with associations and their boards of directors, he also represents a number of condominium developers in matters involving their initial creation and administration of associations for their new communities. He regularly lectures on community association related topics.
Steven H. Mezer, Esq.
Becker
1511 N. Westshore Boulevard, Suite 1000
Tampa, FL 33607
813-527-3900
smezer@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law and Business Litigation
Related areas: Collection of Assessments, Covenant Enforcement, Foreclosure
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate
- Member, College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
Jonathan M. Mofsky, Esq.
Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel
Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach
305-442-3334
www.srhl-law.com
Jonathan Mofsky has focused on community association law since 2008. In addition to working closely with association boards of directors and property managers, he regularly leads board member certification seminars and other presentations and authors articles for publications such as the Daily Business Review.
David G. Muller, Esq.
Becker
4001 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 410
Naples, FL 34103
239-552-3200
dmuller@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condo/HOA Law
Related areas: Collections & Foreclosure, Community Association Litigation & Covenant Enforcement, Corporate Representation
Offices in Naples and Sarasota
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar as well as the Collier County Bar Association
Charles F. Otto, Esq.
Straley Otto
2699 Stirling Road,
Suite C-207
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
954-962-7367
cfo@StraleyOtto.com
www.straleyotto.com
A South Florida native representing condominium and homeowners associations in South Florida, and throughout the state, since 1997. Designated by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law.
Other practice areas: Real Estate, Estate Planning/Probate, Business/Corporate, and Civil Litigation
BA, University of Miami. JD, University of Florida
Bennett Lewis Rabin, Esq.
Rabin Parker P.A.
28059 US Highway 19 N., Suite 301
Clearwater, Florida 33761
727-475-5535
ben@rabinparker.com
www.rabinparker.com
A premier community association law firm, offering wide-ranging services to condominium, homeowner, cooperative, and mobile home associations in Florida. Attorneys Bennett Rabin, Monique Parker, and Adam Gurley lead an experienced corporate representation and litigation team. Florida Bar Board Certified in both Real Estate and Condominium and Planned Development Law.
Jay Roberts, Esq.
Becker
Paradise Village
348 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Suite 7
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548
850-664-2229
jroberts@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation, Disaster Recovery
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law by the Florida Bar
- Serves on the City of Destin’s Board of Adjustments
David H. Rogel, Esq.
Becker
Alhambra Towers,
121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-262-4433
drogel@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Collections & Foreclosure, Community
Association Litigation & Covenant Enforcement, Corporate Representation, Disaster Recovery
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Chair, Becker’s Community Association Litigation Practice
Robert Rubinstein, Esq.
Becker
625 N. Flagler Drive, 7th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-655-5444
rrubinstein@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
Related areas: Corporate Representation
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- South Florida Business Journal Power Leader in Law
Christopher Sajdera, Esq.
Sajdera Kim, PLLC
2200 NW Corporate Boulevard, Suite 210
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-910-3082
cas@sk-attorneys.com
www.sajderakimlaw.com
Represents condominium and HOAs in all facets of association law, including general advisement, collections, and litigation. Christopher handles document drafting, operational documents, construction defect litigation, developer issues, land use litigation, covenant enforcement, and breach of contract disputes. Christopher also provides legal representation to owner claims. Serving Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
B.A., Swathmore College;
J.D., Duke University, School of Law
Robyn M. Severs, Esq.
Becker
100 Whetstone Place, Suite 302
St. Augustine, FL 32086
904-423-5372
rsevers@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Member, Northeast Florida CAI—Legislative Action Committee.
- Chair, Grievance Committee, The Florida Bar
Robert L. Taylor, Esq.
Becker
Regions Bank Building,
111 N. Orange Avenue, Ste. 1400
Orlando, FL 32801
407-875-0955
rtaylor@beckerlawyers.com
www.beckerlawyers.com
Practicing Condominium/HOA and Real Estate Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Condominium & Planned Development Law
- Board Certified Specialist in Real Estate
- Past President, Community Associations Institute, Mid Florida.
Margaret Villella, Esq.
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC
401 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 2250
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-335-1578
margaret.villella@bipc.com
www.bipc.com
Providing statewide counsel and guidance to Florida community associations since 1992, including, but not limited to, collections, opinions, document amendment, arbitration, and litigation. Other areas of practice: Real Property and
Construction, including arbitration and litigation of disputes.
Florida State University, B.S. Finance, 1985
University of Miami School of Law, 1989
Hans C. Wahl, Esq.
Jimerson & Cobb P.A.
1 Independent Drive, Suite 1400
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-389-0050
hwahl@jimersoncobb.com
www.jimersoncobb.com
Mr. Wahl is licensed in both Florida and Georgia and Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Land Development Law by the Florida Bar. He represents various community associations, property owners, and developers throughout Florida, handling everything from complex legal issues to day-to-day operational needs. Read more at www.jimersoncobb.com/attorneys/hans-c-wahl/.
Scott J. Wortman, Esq.
SJW Law Group PLLC
12300 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 201
Wellington, FL 33414
561-340-4555
scott@sjwlawgroup.com
www.sjwlawgroup.com
Scott J. Wortman, Esq., has achieved the unique distinction of being Florida Bar Board Certified in the area of Condominium and Planned Unit Development Law as well as Florida Bar Board Certified in the area of Real Estate Law. His responsiveness to clients’ questions and inquiries is one of his hallmarks.
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