Residential
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August 27, 2024
Citadel's Griffin Unveils Plans For Bayfront HQ Tower In Miami
Billionaire Ken Griffin has revealed his highly anticipated plans to develop a waterfront supertall tower in Miami's Brickell Financial District to house the future headquarters of his hedge fund Citadel LLC, which he moved to the city in 2022.
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August 27, 2024
New Jersey Laws Attorneys Need To Know In 2024
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed contentious new bills into law recently that attorneys and business owners are adjusting to, including updates to the state's Open Public Records Act that make "fee shifting" more difficult, and a new wage requirement for temporary workers.
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August 26, 2024
LA To Pay $38.2M In FCA Suit Alleging Inaccessible Housing
The city of Los Angeles will pay $38.2 million to settle allegations it knowingly failed, for over a decade, to ensure federally funded affordable multifamily housing properties were accessible to people with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.
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August 26, 2024
Businessmen Say Feds' Ky. Tower Seizure Suit Can't Proceed
Two Miami businessmen have objected to a federal magistrate judge's recommendation opposing their attempt to toss litigation by the U.S. government as it looks to seize about $9.1 million from the sale of a Kentucky office tower, saying the United States can't prove its case.
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August 26, 2024
Zillow Investors Gain Class Cert. In Suit Over Home-Flipping
A Washington federal judge has certified a proposed class of investors suing Zillow, alleging they were misled about the performance of the real estate marketplace's home-flipping program, and has appointed two firms as lead and local counsel.
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August 26, 2024
Tetra Tech Accuses Atty Of Mistreating Witness In FCA Row
Tetra Tech EC Inc. claimed that an attorney representing a developer accusing it of fraud had mistreated a witness during a deposition hearing, pressing a California federal court to order the release of recordings capturing the alleged misconduct.
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August 26, 2024
Attorneys Break Down DOJ's RealPage Antitrust Suit
The U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit alleging RealPage, a commercial real estate services company favored by institutional landlords, helped manipulate the rental market contains several positive developments for landlords named in price-fixing suits brought by tenants.
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August 26, 2024
Fla. Court Sets Contempt Hearing On Alleged Condo Demolition
A Florida state court has scheduled a Sept. 12 evidentiary hearing after a group of Miami condominium unit owners sought to hold a developer in civil contempt for allegedly flouting a stay order by still trying to demolish the condo.
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August 26, 2024
11th Circ. Won't Revive JPMorgan Chase Whistleblower Suit
The Eleventh Circuit on Monday refused to revive a whistleblower suit against JPMorgan Chase Bank NA for allegedly forging mortgage loan documents and submitting false reimbursement claims to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, finding the allegations had already been publicized prior to the lawsuit.
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August 26, 2024
9th Circ. Won't Renew Seattle Homeowners' Insurance Row
A group of Seattle homeowners cannot force Security National Insurance Co. to help cover a nearly $617,000 default judgment in an underlying construction defect dispute against its insured, the Ninth Circuit ruled, finding exclusions barring coverage for new construction applicable.
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August 26, 2024
Fox Rothschild Lands Condo Team From Armstrong Teasdale
A team of 10 real estate attorneys from Armstrong Teasdale LLP have jumped to Fox Rothschild LLP, where they'll form the core of a new practice, the firm said Monday.
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August 26, 2024
At Bradley Arant, Ex-Healthcare GC Heeds 'No Surprises' Rule
A former general counsel at home health provider Aveanna Healthcare has returned to private practice as a partner in the healthcare and real estate practices at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, and is vowing not to surprise his in-house clients with surprise legal bills — now that he's on the other side of the business.
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August 26, 2024
Haber Law Continues Growth With Team From Beloff Law
Miami's Haber Law is continuing its growth spurt with the addition of a team from Beloff Law PA, including its founder, with 50 years of experience in real estate law.
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August 26, 2024
NY Nursing Homes Can't Duck AG's $83M Fraud Suit
A New York judge shot down a bid by four nursing homes and their operators to dismiss the state attorney general's claims that they defrauded Medicare and Medicaid and neglected residents.
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August 26, 2024
NYC Real Estate Week In Review
Neal Gerber, Fried Frank and DLA Piper are among the law firms that handled the largest New York City real estate deals that hit public records last week, a busy period that saw two transactions above the $300 million mark become public.
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August 23, 2024
Property Plays: KKR, NYC, GSA
Property Plays is a weekly roundup of the latest loans, leases, sales and projects around the country. Send your tips — all confidential — to realestate@law360.com.
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August 23, 2024
PE Fund Says SEC Is Overstepping With 'Fishing Expedition'
A large South Carolina private equity fund has sued the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly overstepping its authority by trying to regulate the business' activities through an unconstitutional "fishing expedition" investigation that threatens the building of thousands of housing units.
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August 23, 2024
Wire Verification Not Vital In Fla. Fraud Suit, Wells Fargo Says
Wells Fargo urged a Florida federal court Friday to toss a lawsuit alleging the bank allowed a hacker to steal a real estate transaction's proceeds, saying there's no obligation to match a wire beneficiary to their account, and it didn't know the transfer was fraudulent because the process is automated.
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August 23, 2024
2 Firms Guide JV's $210M Refi For NYC Affordable Housing
Real estate company Slate Property Group and its joint venture partner Fundamental Advisors on Friday wrapped up a $210 million refinancing deal for their 304,000-square-foot portfolio of New York City-based affordable and transitional housing properties, in a transaction guided by Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP.
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August 23, 2024
Brokerage Startup Challenges NAR Listing Rules
A Utah-based residential brokerage startup has accused the National Association of Realtors, an affiliated Utah multiple listing service and several major brokerages including Keller Williams Realty Inc. of engaging in an antitrust conspiracy that involved the defendants blocking the startup from accessing the NAR's MLS because the startup offers cheaper commission fees.
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August 23, 2024
Insurer Scores Coverage Win Over Retaining Wall Failure
A contractor's insurer has no duty to help cover a $2.66 million settlement over the contractor's faulty construction of retaining walls, a Washington federal court ruled, finding an "impaired property" exclusion applicable.
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August 23, 2024
US Trying Illegal Property Grab For Dad's Tax Debt, Son Says
The son of a man serving a 22-year fraud sentence told a Georgia federal court that the federal government is violating his constitutional rights in trying to take his property to satisfy his parents' tax debts, saying he had nothing to do with his father's crimes.
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August 23, 2024
Williams Mullen Rehires Ellis & Winter Atty In NC
Williams Mullen has brought back a former associate, who is rejoining the firm's Raleigh, North Carolina, team as a partner to work on a range of commercial real estate-related matters.
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August 23, 2024
DOJ Sues RealPage For Helping Fix Rental Rates
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit Aug. 23 accusing RealPage of helping residential landlords across the country fix rental prices through the use of its revenue management software.
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August 22, 2024
Homeowner Loses Atty Fees In Suit Over HOA Fence Policy
A Texas appeals court reversed a homeowner's win in a dispute with his neighbors over privacy fences facing a road, finding that a new state law prevents homeowners associations from enacting any covenant barring homeowners from putting up security measures, so the homeowner couldn't collect attorney fees.
Expert Analysis
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Boxing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Boxing has influenced my legal work by enabling me to confidently hone the skills I've learned from the sport, like the ability to remain calm under pressure, evaluate an opponent's weaknesses and recognize when to seize an important opportunity, says Kirsten Soto at Clyde & Co.
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What NYC's Green Fast Track Means For Affordable Housing
New York City's Green Fast Track for Housing initiative, which went into effect last month, aims to speed up the environmental review process for modest residential developments and could potentially pave the way for similar initiatives in other cities, say Vivien Krieger and Rachel Scall at Cozen O'Connor.
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The Often Overlooked NY Foreclosure Notice Requirements
As multifamily real estate defaults mount, New York foreclosing parties should be aware of pitfalls and perils that can await the litigant who is not prepared to ensure adherence with tenant notice requirements under the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, say Christopher Gorman and John Muldoon at Rosenberg & Estis.
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Skiing And Surfing Make Me A Better Lawyer
The skills I’ve learned while riding waves in the ocean and slopes in the mountains have translated to my legal career — developing strong mentor relationships, remaining calm in difficult situations, and being prepared and able to move to a backup plan when needed, says Brian Claassen at Knobbe Martens.
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Zoning Reform May Alleviate The Affordable Housing Crisis
As America's affordable housing issues continue to worsen, zoning reform efforts can help to provide more affordable homes and mitigate racial and economic segregation, though opposition from residents and in courts could present challenges, say Evan Pritchard and Madeline Williams at Cozen O'Connor.
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NJ Justices Clarify First-Party Indemnification Availability
In Boyle v. Huff, the New Jersey Supreme Court recently held that indemnification can be available in first-party claims, resolving an open question and setting up contracting parties for careful negotiations around indemnity clauses, says Todd Leon at Marshall Dennehey.
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Fla. HOA Reforms Bring Major Wins For Homeowners
A recently signed law brings broad changes for homeowners associations in Florida, alleviating some pressure imposed by overly restrictive rules and potentially setting up litigation surrounding how HOAs enforce their governing documents, says Christopher Miller at Varnum.
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Addressing Labor Shortages In The Construction Industry
As the construction industry's ongoing struggle with finding sufficient skilled workers continues, companies should consider a range of solutions including a commitment to in-house training and creative contracting protocols, say Brenda Radmacher and Allison Etkin at Akerman.
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A Framework For Investigating Commercial Loan Fraud
As commercial loan transactions are increasingly subject to sophisticated fraud schemes, lenders must adopt dynamic strategies to detect, investigate and mitigate these schemes, say attorneys at Baker Donelson.
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Glassblowing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
I never expected that glassblowing would strongly influence my work as an attorney, but it has taught me the importance of building a solid foundation for your work, learning from others and committing to a lifetime of practice, says Margaret House at Kalijarvi Chuzi.
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How NY Co-Ops Can Minimize Sale Rejections Based On Price
New York co-op sales are regularly rejected for being below undisclosed price minimums, and co-op boards should address this problem by sharing information more transparently and allowing some flexibility for below-market sales, say Pierre Debbas and Seth Feldman at Romer Debbas.
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Money, Money, Money: Limiting White Collar Wealth Evidence
As courts increasingly recognize that allowing unfettered evidence of wealth could prejudice a jury against a defendant, white collar defense counsel should consider several avenues for excluding visual evidence of a lavish lifestyle at trial, says Jonathan Porter at Husch Blackwell.
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High Court's BofA Ruling Leaves State Preemption Questions
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cantero v. Bank of America sheds light on whether certain state banking regulations apply to federally chartered banks, but a circuit split could still force the Supreme Court to take a more direct position, says Brett Garver at Moritt Hock.