August Marks TRIM Notice Season
What Contractors Can Do to Address Rising Material Costs
From lumber to used cars to pastrami sandwiches, prices are rising. This past month, at a town hall meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, President Biden acknowledged that……
Washington, DC’s COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Expires
by Zachary Kessler, Amanda G. Halter and Adam Weaver
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and local governments have adopted varying moratoria on evictions, enacted as emergency legislative protections for tenants facing eviction. The federal moratorium on eviction, promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is set to expire on July 31. While the Supreme Court recently left the moratorium in place, the Court signaled that it would likely be held…
The Collapse of the Champlain Towers and Hard Lessons Learned – Part I
Hampton Bays Downtown Overlay District Form Based Code Annulled for Failing to Comply with SEQRA
Bury Your Head in the Sand and ESG will Go Away
IRS Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum on Extinguishment Proceeds Clauses
On July 30, 2021, the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum 202130014 on the requirements of I.R.C. Section 170(h) and Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A014(g)(6)(ii) for an extinguishment proceeds clause in a conservation easement. Citing PBBM-Rose Hill, Ltd. v. Commissioner and Coal Property Holdings, LLC v. Commissioner, the Memorandum states that extinguishment proceeds clauses must closely adhere to the language in the Treasury Regulations and…
California Bankruptcy Exemptions – 704 vs. 703?
Bankruptcy Exemptions in California
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California is a powerful tool that can relieve debtors of unsecured debts and provide a fresh start. Many people assume that bankruptcy involves creditors taking all their personal property, especially their home and vehicle. However, California bankruptcy exemptions allow debtors to maintain possession of certain personal property when filing for bankruptcy. While this guide provides a broad outline, it is important to contact an experienced…
Who’s at Fault: Architect or Engineer
When a building unexpectedly collapses, as happened in Surfside, everyone begins to think who may be to blame. And high on everyone’s list is likely to be the architect and the engineer. Of course, it is generally assumed that the duties associated with the professions of architecture and engineering are as distinct as are the […]…
Construction Defects and New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations – When to File Suit
This week the New Jersey Appellate Division issued its Order and Opinion in the case of Collins v. PJW Servs., 2021 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 1556. Plaintiffs owned a home in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and wanted to add an extension, including a second story. Plaintiffs retained the services of an architect to design the architectural plans, bid the project, and to oversee construction. To perform the actual work, Plaintiffs hired PJW Services (PJW).
Shortly after…