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Author: Jimerson Birr

July 2015

July 21, 2015 In The News

The Jacksonville Business Journal reports on Jimerson Birr and the eight other companies named one of the 100 best companies to work for in Florida by Florida Trend magazine.

Right of Access – Abandoned Condominium Units in Florida

July 15, 2015 Community Association Industry Legal Blog

A Florida condominium association believes a unit is abandoned and is worried about the condition of the unit. The association also wants to collect assessments or rent but a there is a superior lienholder, like a first mortgage on the condominium unit. Section 718.111(5), Florida Statutes, provides Florida condominium associations some authority to inspect, maintain, and even lease the abandoned condominium unit.

An Overview of Florida Law on Punitive Damage Claims in Business or Commercial Litigation

July 13, 2015 Professional Services Industry Legal Blog

Whether you are a potential plaintiff or a potential defendant, in a business dispute, determining whether punitive damages can be successfully added to the claim is an important part of the legal analysis and should be considered as early in the process as possible. If you are a potential plaintiff, it is important to analyze whether a claim for punitive damages can be added. Successfully adding a claim for punitive damages will likely increase the potential value of the claim. If you are a potential defendant, it is important to understand whether a plaintiff can successfully move to add a claim for punitive damages based upon the causes of action pled.

Banks Have no Duty to Perform Reasonable Underwriting or Loan Processing Under Florida Law

July 7, 2015 Banking & Financial Services Industry Legal Blog

Occasionally a borrower’s counsel or counsel for an institution that has served as a lending partner in some capacity will get crafty in trying to shift the blame for bad business transactions to the originating and lead lending institution by asserting claims against the original lender for not performing like a reasonable and prudent bank can be expected to perform in the administration of a loan. The claims come in many forms, but they are all predicated on the same fundamental premise: if the bank had performed a better/reasonable underwriting or processing of the original loan, then the losses that ultimately occurred would have been prevented. Fortunately for banks, these types of claims are unsustainable in Florida law. There is no tort duty for banks to process loans competently. See Silver v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 760 F. Supp. 2d 1330, 1339 (S.D. Fla. 2011).

Oral Warranties: Are They Enforceable? The Statute of Frauds may bar their enforcement.

July 2, 2015 Construction Industry Legal Blog

Warranties are a valuable part of a construction contract. A multi-year warranty is more valuable than a 1-year warranty. A contractor’s offer to provide a multi-year warranty may induce an owner to select that contractor and enter into the contract. Often, multi-year warranties are included in the written contract, or separate written warranty policies are provided at the end of the project. However, not all construction contracts are written, and contractors don’t always provide a written policy at the end of a project. This raises the question: are oral multi-year warranties enforceable? They may not be. The Statute of Frauds may bar their enforcement.

Corporations or LLC’s Cannot Amend Bylaws to Impair Vested Shareholder Contract Rights

June 30, 2015 Professional Services Industry Legal Blog

Occasionally we are engaged to represent members of a closely held company who are being “squeezed out” of their business. This comes in many forms, but one of the fact patterns I have seen is when an LLC management committee meeting is conducted without notice, without proper quorum or in a way that makes the decisions voidable by the oppressed member/shareholder. Specifically, Florida law prohibits amendment to the bylaws of a company that are purposefully sought to restrict a particular shareholder’s original and vested contract rights, in an operating/ shareholder’s agreement or otherwise.

June 2015 Firm Newsletter: Celebrating Change

June 30, 2015 Newsletters

Featured in the June 2015 Issue Partner’s Perspective: Celebrating Change J&C Moves to Wells Fargo Center 5 Things You Need to Know About Partner Brad Hughes Charles Jimerson Elected to the JBA Board of Governors New Law Blogs Curiosities, Ruminations and Various Eccentricities of Firm Biz Click to read.

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Charles B. Jimerson
Managing Partner

Jimerson Birr welcomes inquiries from the media and do our best to respond to deadlines. If you are interested in speaking to a Jimerson Birr lawyer or want general information about the firm, our practice areas, lawyers, publications, or events, please contact us via email or telephone for assistance at (904) 389-0050.

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