Attorneys Attend Law Seminar

From January 21-23, several of the Kaman & Cusimano, LLC attorneys attended the national Community Association Institute Law Seminar. The attorneys learned about a variety of topics including Association collections, case law updates, legislative updates, the new FHA guidelines, zoning restrictions, expert witnesses, and the Board's exercise of business judgment. Presented by the College of Community Association Lawyers, to which attorneys David Kaman and Jay Cusimano are members, this seminar provides community association attorneys with a forum to tackle national community association legal issues.

Additionally, Kaman & Cusimano, LLC partner Darcy Mehling Good presented a section of the seminar entitled "Keep Fraud’s Ugly Head Out of Your Community Association." This section included "explaining the factors that foster the opportunity for fraud and discuss and identify proactive measures that an association can take to protect itself."

Kaman & Cusimano, LLC prides itself on its "communication not litigation" philosophy. Attending these national law seminars provides our attorneys with yet another valuable resource in representing our community association clients.

Super Lien Introduced!

Great news! The Ohio General Assembly has heard the voice of Ohio’s community associations. On January 12, 2010, House Bill 408 was introduced by Representatives Ken Yuko and Brian Williams and is co-sponsored by eight (8) other representatives. House Bill 408 contains the “Super Lien” language that would give Ohio’s condominiums lien priority. If the “Super Lien” legislation is enacted, it would mandate that the condominium lien has priority over the bank’s first mortgage in a foreclosure. This legislation is vital for Ohio’s community associations, especially during the current economic climate. You can find a copy of this important legislation at

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_408

While House Bill 408 does not contain a “Super Lien” for homeowner associations, our legislative sources have informed us that once the condominium “Super Lien” and Senate Bill 187 (the HOA legislation) have each, respectively been passed by the General Assembly, it will be easy to move through similar “Super Lien” legislation for homeowner associations. Therefore, it is vital that all Ohioans living in community associations voice their support of this bill to their State Representative.

The “Ohio Needs a Condominium and Homeowner Association “Super Lien” Now! Grassroots Campaign” is currently underway. As you know, this is the second phase of our campaign – a grassroots effort where we ask that you contact your State Representative. A sample letter to send to your Representative indicating support for this vital legislation can be found on the Kaman & Cusimano, LLC website: www.ohiocondolaw.com. In addition, please make copies of the letter and provide it to all unit owners so that they too may send it to their State Representative. To find out who your state representative is and his or her mailing/email address, please visit http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/index.cfm

Association Gets Creative with Dogs

Kaman & Cusimano receives many of its Service Option Clients' newsletters in the mail. One in particular recently struck our eye. As you can see, Town Square Condominium has developed a unique way to clean up after dogs:

Too bad every association does not have dogs that are this well trained!

If your Association is a Kaman & Cusimano Service Option Client, you can now see many great sample newsletters of other Ohio associations in the "Client Articles" section of our website: www.ohiocondolaw.com