In a significant development for legal professionals and aspiring attorneys in Rhode Island, the state Supreme Court has announced that it will transition to the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination beginning in July 2028. This move positions Rhode Island as the 40th jurisdiction to adopt this new format, underscoring a broader shift within the legal community…
Thompson Hine has announced the addition of Mike Viayra as a partner within its construction practice group, located in Los Angeles, as highlighted in a recent release shared by the firm. Viayra brings his extensive experience representing construction and energy companies to the firm. His expertise encompasses a range of services including contract and real…
In a strategic move to bolster its expertise in tax assessment law, Harter Secrest & Emery has announced the addition of Ryan Parisi as counsel within their tax assessment practice. Parisi, a seasoned professional with a strong background in representing both commercial and high-end residential property owners, brings a wealth of experience to the firm….
Michael Shonafelt has joined Buchalter as a shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office, according to an announcement by the firm on Wednesday. Shonafelt will be part of the real estate practice group, where he will provide guidance to a diverse clientele that includes landowners, developers, lenders, receiverships, and public agencies. His practice covers a…
In a decision that could have profound implications for asset seizure practices, the US Supreme Court has ruled that police officers may continue to execute civil asset forfeitures without an immediate hearing. This type of seizure, often allowed by states, occurs when officers suspect that a vehicle is implicated in a crime regardless of the…
In an era where physical possession has found its digital metaphors, the legal concept of “adverse possession” takes on intriguing new dimensions as vividly depicted in Paul Golden’s new book, Litigating Adverse Possession Cases: Pirates v. Zombies. In essence, “trespassing plus time equals adverse possession.” This centuries-old legal principle, deeply entrenched in common law jurisdictions,…
Frost Brown Todd (FBT), a US based firm, has just expanded its real estate practice group in Dallas by adding Kevin Maguire and Nicole Karam to its ranks as partners, according to an announcement on the FBT website on Tuesday. Maguire is known for his extensive experience in assisting clients with property disputes and eminent…
Michael D. Capaldi has recently joined Frost Brown Todd AlvaradoSmith, serving as a partner in the real estate practice based in Orange County, California, according to an announcement made by the firm. Capaldi brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, with a key expertise in handling complex real estate transactions. This will no doubt…
Beginning from Dec. 1, 2023, commercial real property leases in Florida will see a decrease in the state sales tax. The adjustment is a result of Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signing House Bill (HB) 7063 into law on May 25, 2023. This legislation brings both short-term and long-term tax relief for Florida taxpayers. This tax…
Florida continues to make waves across the legal world with SB 264 (Chapter No. 2023-33, Laws of Florida) – which has been in force since July 1, 2023, and restricts certain individuals and entities with ties to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from owning specific real property in the state. With…
The city of Dallas, Broward County in Florida, and over 20 other cities, counties, and public water systems have expressed opposition to settlements with 3M and DuPont regarding the contamination of drinking water by so-called ‘forever chemicals’. These objectors argue that the settlements’ provisions are excessively broad, as they exonerate 3M and DuPont from any…
Property law professionals are likely to be interested in the latest legislative developments affecting the real estate sector. The November Multifamily Alert shared by Ballard Spahr LLP provides some much-needed clarity on the key regional and national activities. The alert acts as a follow-up to a previous one by the law firm, offering updates on…
In addition to Washington’s real estate excise tax (REET), which has been a subject of lengthy debate in legal circles, complexities have been introduced by the imposition of another tax layer. Transferors of ownership interests in entities that own real property in Washington must now also account for Washington’s capital gains tax in their financial…
In an imperative move targeted at curbing the increasing instances of real property fraud, Florida Legislature recently enacted a pilot program in Lee County. This mandate requires anyone aiming to file deeds in person or by mail to present a government-issued photo identification (ID). Given the rise in real estate scams, such regulatory safeguards, although…
In a recent ruling, the U.S. District Court of Maryland addressed the ongoing struggle faced by legal and subrogation professionals when it comes to damages related to real property. The issue at the center is whether a plaintiff should receive full repair costs for property damage or a lesser amount. The verdict has emphatic consequences,…
The City of Norwalk, noted as the sixth largest city in Connecticut, is close to finishing its 2023 real property revaluation. This revaluation is being done on the principle of “full measure and list” – an approach which integrates the outcomes of property inspections into the revaluation. This critical step, according to a report by…
Recent amendments to New York state law, specifically in Chapter 59 of the Laws of 2023, usher a redefinition to statutes that govern property tax exemptions. These revisions impact senior citizens and persons with disabilities and limited incomes. Notably, the weight of the amendments hovers around three key aspects of Real Property Tax Law §467…
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has ordered Syngenta Seeds, a subsidiary of China’s state-owned ChemChina, to divest its 160 acres of agricultural land within the state. This mandate originated from Arkansas’s Act 636 of 2023, termed To Amend the Law Concerning Ownership and Possession of Real Property, which curtails foreign possession of Arkansas’s agricultural lands….
In a recent tax evasion case involving a physician, culminating in allegations over the evasion of $1.6 million in taxes, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana ruled that the defendant’s accountant can be compelled to testify as they are not protected by attorney-client privilege. The defendant in question is Dr. Melissa…
When it comes to real property, partitions play an integral role, especially in matters concerning co-ownership. By definition, a partition is an action taken to divide common interests in property or to push a sale. They are most frequently utilized when you co-own a property with one or more individuals and often find scenarios in…
In a significant move for business owners in the state of Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers signed 2023 Act 12 (“Act 12”) into law on June 20, 2023, effectively eliminating the state’s personal property tax. This law is slated to take effect on January 1, 2024, according to JD Supra. The repeal will expunge the exhaustive…
The recent legislation enacted in Florida restricting foreign ownership of real property by certain nations is a significant legal development demanding close attention. The Florida Department of Commerce (DOC) released its initial set of proposed rules for implementing this law, known as SB 264, on September 20, 2023. The law went into effect on July…
While the phrase “Highest and Best” deal is a common term in the bankruptcy field, it’s often misunderstood. In the context of a bankruptcy auction of assets such as a business or real property, judges, trustees and creditors understand that the better deal isn’t necessarily the one that offers the highest price. Oftentimes, the ‘best’…
In an evolving case relating to the global real estate marketplace, the Florida Department of Commerce (Department) released proposed rules on Sept. 20, 2023, aiming to interpret Florida’s existing law limiting foreign principals from specific countries from engaging in certain real estate transactions. The countries in question, known as “foreign countries of concern”, are China,…
The challenging terrain of the New York City real estate market is no stranger to legal professionals closely following the sector developments. It has indeed never been a game for the faint-hearted or undercapitalized, seen now more than ever due to post-pandemic shifts in office demand and a climate of high interest rates unfolding. Observers…