Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos

Legal Talk by Habitat Magazine
  • 5.0 (1)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY
Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos

Co-op and condo board directors face a myriad of challenges they are not equipped to solve, and taking action can be a fraught experience. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys for guidance on these challenges. Habitat, a New York City publication founded in 1982, is edited for co-op and condo board directors, property managers, and other professionals.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Is Your Indemnification Clause Protecting You?

    Send us a text Carol Ott of Habitat Magazine discusses board member liability with Leni Morrison Cummins, partner at Cozen O'Connor. Cummins explains that volunteer board members face real liability risks and need proper protection through well-drafted indemnification clauses. She highlights common pitfalls in these clauses, including insufficient coverage for tort claims and pre-litigation proceedings. Cummins advises board members to review their indemnification language with counsel, ensur...

    13 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Serving on Your Board? The Liability Trap No One Warned You About

    Send us a text Volunteering for your building's board seems like a great way to serve your community—until you realize you might be personally liable for the board's decisions. Often overlooked are indemnification clauses, says Leni Morrison Cummins, Member, Cozen O'Connor. This protection isn’t guaranteed and there are surprising "pitfalls" of indemnification clauses that leave board members vulnerable, particularly in condominiums where protection isn't built into law as it is (partially) f...

    13 min

  3. FEB 17

    Understanding Co-op and Condo Bylaws

    Send us a text Emily Myers of Habitat Magazine discusses bylaw governance with Carl Finger, principal at the law firm Finger and Finger. Finger outlines how bylaws serve as a corporate operations roadmap and explains the risks of improper adherence, from minor scheduling issues to major legal challenges. He highlights the business judgment rule's protection of board decisions—when bylaws are followed—and shares insights from the Cohan v. Board of Directors case. Finger advises boards to stay ...

    11 min

  4. FEB 10

    Defects After Move-In: How Boards Can Hold Sponsors Accountable

    Send us a text In this informative Legal Talk episode, attorney Michael Savino of Braverman Greenspun shares with Habitat's Paula Chin essential guidance for co-op and condo board directors dealing with construction defects in new buildings. The conversation provides a clear roadmap for boards to protect their interests when issues arise after a sponsor hands over control. Savino explains that while minor problems can often be addressed through punch lists, major defects—particularly in buil...

    21 min

  5. FEB 3

    The $300,000 Mistake: How Boards Can Avoid a Violation Crisis

    Send us a text Navigating building violations can be tricky for co-op and condo boards, especially when it comes to determining responsibility for corrections. In this enlightening discussion with attorney Brandon James of Borah Goldstein, board directors will learn crucial guidelines for managing violations effectively and avoiding costly mistakes. Habitat's Paula Chin conducts the interview. James breaks down the fundamental "rule of thumb" - unit owners and shareholders are typicall...

    18 min

  6. JAN 27

    When Time Runs Out: Protecting Your Building's Legal Claims Before It's Too Late

    Send us a text In this episode of Legal Talk, Jennifer Stewart, a partner at the law firm Smith Buss and Jacobs, explains to Habitat's Emily Myers how critical the importance of understanding statutes of limitations for co-op and condo board directors is. The discussion reveals how timing can make or break a board's ability to pursue legal claims or defend against them. Stewart emphasizes that proactive planning and early legal consultation are essential for protecting a building's interests...

    15 min

  7. JAN 20

    Beyond "No": The Smart Board's Guide to Handling Document Requests

    Send us a text Tracy Peterson, a partner at the law firm Braverman Greenspun, joins Habitat's Paula Chin for an essential discussion on how co-op and condo boards should handle resident requests for information and documents about fellow residents. Peterson draws from her extensive experience to explain when boards must share information, what they can protect, and how to avoid unnecessary litigation. Board directors will gain practical insights into: * The broad rights shareholders and uni...

    16 min

  8. JAN 13

    Hidden Traps in Pet Policies: A Warning to Boards

    Send us a text Enforcing pet policies in co-ops and condos can feel like walking through a legal minefield. From tight enforcement deadlines to complex accommodations for service and emotional support animals, board directors face high-stakes decisions that could lead to costly litigation if mishandled. Attorney Kenneth Finger, a member of the law firm Finger & Finger, offers board directors essential insights into navigating the complex intersection of pet policies and legal requirement...

    14 min
See All (25)

About

Co-op and condo board directors face a myriad of challenges they are not equipped to solve, and taking action can be a fraught experience. In this series, Habitat Magazine editors interview New York's leading co-op/condo attorneys for guidance on these challenges. Habitat, a New York City publication founded in 1982, is edited for co-op and condo board directors, property managers, and other professionals.

Information

  • Creator
    Legal Talk by Habitat Magazine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos
  • Show Website
    Legal Talk for Co-ops and Condos

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada