Legal Forum 2023

Recorded On: 04/25/2023

  • Registration Closed
Duration: 12 Hours over 4 days - VIRTUAL
CE Credits: 12
8 Law Firms
4 Q&A sessions 
Hot Legal Topics to include:
  1. Concepts & Legal Benchmarks Managers Should Know
  2. Residency Requirement for Condominium Directors
  3. All Charged Up! Solar Panels & Electric Charging Stations: Get Grounded to Avoid Shock
  4. Legal Updates
  5. Deferred Maintenance & Reserve Funding: Are Your Buildings Aging Gracefully?
  6. Dysfunctional Board Members Part 2: A Post-Pandemic Update & Best Practices
  7. Basic Training for Survival of the Fittest for Board Members & Managers
  8. Day-to-Day Operations: A Review of Sections 18 & 18.4

Elizabeth Thompson

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr. LLP

Elizabeth focuses her practice on counseling community associations both in litigation and on day-to-day operational issues. Elizabeth’s litigation experience includes litigating constitutional claims, administrative review actions, government investigations, and business litigation, such as preliminary and permanent injunctions, declaratory judgments, insurance issues, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and

James Stevens

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr. LLP

Jamie Stevens advises community associations on a range of issues related to their daily business operations, serving as their general legal advisor. In his work with the leaders of condominium and other common interest communities on governing documents, finances, litigation and transactional issues, Jamie provides them with perspective and broad knowledge in their legal matters. His experience includes: drafting easements, bylaws and declarations; advising on developer turnover matters and assessment collection; interpreting governing documents; and counseling on the variety of contract, dispute, and business concerns they face. In litigation, Jamie represents associations in covenant interpretation and enforcement matters and defends associations against various claims, drawing from broad on-the-ground experience with associations in their life cycles

Aside from his role as counselor, Jamie relies on his familiarity with the Illinois Condominium Property Act and Common Interest Community Association Act to assist clients in transactional matters such as deconversion sales of entire properties, lending transactions in the community association marketplace, and development of condominium and common interest properties. His experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements and preparing documentation to establish and develop condominium properties. He also assists with distressed property redevelopment, financing and receivership actions to resolve properties in crisis.

Michael C. Kim

SFBBG LLC

Of Counsel/SFBBG LLC, Mike received his undergraduate degree (Political Science Major) from the University of Hawaii (Manoa Campus. Honolulu, HI) and his law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (Chicago, IL).  He is licensed to practice in Illinois and its courts, and also before various federal courts, including the U.S. District Court (Northern District, IL) (both General and Trial Bar), the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

His practice is focused on community association law, construction law, real estate law and civil litigation.  He has practiced law for over 40 years.  He has personally handled a wide and diverse range of transactions and litigation for all types of community associations, developers, lenders, insurance companies and homeowners.  He has served as an expert witness on association legal issues.

As an adjunct professor with the John Marshall Law School, he taught at the School’s Graduate Program in Real Estate Law on condominium, cooperative and common interest community law.  Mike co-authored the Historical and Practice Notes to the Illinois Condominium Property Act, has long been active in legislative efforts involving the Act and has written extensively on condominium law and issues, including articles published by the John Marshall Law School, Community Associations Institute (CAI) (both National and Illinois) and the Association of Condominium, Townhome and Homeowners Associations (ACTHA).

Mike has taught numerous times at CAI-National’s prestigious Community Association Law Seminar, has spoken at CAI National Conferences, has taught other attorneys at the Law Education Institute, National Business Institute and Lorman Education Services seminars, and has lectured for the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.  He has participated in webinars on rule enforcement for HOA Leader and reserve funds for The Cooperator.

He has served on the Board of Governors of the CAI College of Community Association Lawyers, of which he is a charter member; the College was established to recognize distinguished service to community association law and commitment to highest ethical and professional standards.

He also served as President of CAI-Illinois, during which time he encouraged use of alternative dispute resolution for community associations.  Mike has served as Chair of the Real Property Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association as well as its Condominium Law Subcommittee and also as Chair of the Condominium Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Council.  He is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property Law Section. 

His pro bono activities have included work to develop affordable condominiums for low income families with Uptown Habitat for Humanity and work as General Counsel to the Association of Sheridan Condo Co-op Owners (ASCO).

Monica Shamass

Schoenberg Finkel Beederman Bell Glazer LLC

Monica Shamass has broad ranging expertise in complex real estate matters with an excellent track record in negotiating and achieving client objectives. She has worked with real estate developers on a local and national scale, including condominium properties.

Monica’s specialty is in transactional matters regarding large scale properties. From the onset of a deal she maintains strong client relationships and leverages her experience to guide our clients to maximize their results. A significant part of her practice involves drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, zoning and land use, commercial leases, redevelopment agreements, annexation agreements, as well as guiding a client through tax deferred exchanges and tax abatement incentive programs.

Monica is also experienced in the sales and transfers of companies, short sales, and asset protection. She has litigated civil matters such as building code, receivership, and tax deeds in municipal and circuit courts.

Monica has studied law internationally in places such as Havana Cuba to study future foreign investment, trade, and business transactions; Madrid, Spain to study European human rights law, international and European business and commercial law where she was awarded a certificate from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, a university internationally ranked among the world’s best universities. Monica is trilingual in Arabic, French, and English.

Jim Slowikowski

Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell

JAMES A. SLOWIKOWSKI is a member of the firm. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University College of Law in June, 1987 after having received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from DePaul University in June, 1984. Prior to joining the Dickler firm, Mr. Slowikowski practiced with the Chicago firm of Margolin & Aronson where his primary responsibility was in the areas of real estate, corporate, construction and commercial litigation.

 

Mr. Slowikowski has represented condominium and community associations since 1991. He joined Marshall N. Dickler, Ltd. in May, 1991, which became Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski

& Zavell, Ltd, in 2001, and he continues to practice in the area of general civil litigation and condominium and homeowner association law. The primary part of Mr. Slowikowski’s practice is condominium and community association law and he represents associations in all counties in the Chicago Metropolitan area, and in McClean County. In the firm, he oversees and litigates homeowner association cases, and handles all aspects of association legal needs such as enforcement of rules and covenants, drafting governing documents and rules and regulations, reviewing and preparing contracts, litigation, and generally providing advice and consultation to clients. He also performs commercial, property and corporate litigation cases, and represents for-profit and not-for-profit corporations and associations. Mr. Slowikowski has been lead counsel in trials in both state and federal courts, and has litigated significant claims against association developers, including one case that resulted in a total recovery in excess of $2.5 million dollars.

 

Mr. Slowikowski is a member of CAI and ACTHA and regularly speaks at ACTHA and CAI conferences and programs on various association topics. Mr. Slowikowski has published articles on association topics in some industry publications including Condo Lifestyles and Common Interest magazines, and has been a contributor to The Chicagoland Cooperator. Recently, he authored the article featured on the cover of the October 2019 issue of Condo Lifestyles (“5 Tips To Help Make Your Association Better”).

 

Mr. Slowikowski is a member of the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, a member of the Bar of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the DuPage County Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. Mr. Slowikowski has been selected by peers and added as a member of the Leading Lawyers Network.

Marshall Dickler

Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell

MARSHALL N. DICKLER, is the senior member of the firm.
Mr. Dickler’s practice encompasses representation of condominium and homeowner associations in all matters including litigation, commercial and residential real estate transactions and litigation, corporate acquisitions, divestitures, operations and litigation, healthcare organization operation and litigation, zoning and collections.
Mr. Dickler is a sustaining member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and has lectured, taught and participated in national and regional conferences and conventions since 1977, addressing many subjects dealing with condominiums, homeowners associations, corporate, real estate, insurance and tax matters. Mr. Dickler is a former director and past president of the CAI-lllinois Chapter and a former trustee of the CAI- National Association. CAI conducts an annual National Law Seminar, and Mr. Dickler was a member of the Seminar faculty. He is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). He is a member of ACTHA and has spoken at their programs. Additionally, Mr. Dickler is the author of three chapters on Condominium and Homeowners Association Litigation for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). Mr. Dickler has lectured statewide on the subject matter of these chapters to members of the Illinois Bar, and he was a special advisor to the IICLE, as to its real estate publications and lectures. Mr. Dickler has many years of experience providing all aspects of legal assistance in business and financial advice to small and large businesses and corporations and was and is counsel to a number of major For-Profit and Not-for-Profit organizations in healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, hospitality and construction. He has been counsel to and performed work for a major national collection agency. He is counsel to a national medical products supply company.
Mr. Dickler is admitted to the Illinois Bar; he is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Appellate Court for the Seventh Circuit, the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois and the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association and American Bar Association. Mr. Dickler has been selected by peers and added as a member of the Leading Lawyers.
In addition to being an attorney, Mr. Dickler is an electrical engineer by education and experience. Mr. Dickler practiced as an electrical engineer for six (6) years and during part of that time, attended law school at John Marshall in Chicago, Illinois. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and has practiced as a patent attorney. Mr. Dickler’s practical engineering background is of great value in understanding technical problems involved with the construction, operation, reconstruction and repair in structures such as multi-unit residential buildings.

Kerry Bartell

KSN

Kerry Bartell is a principal with KSN and has been practicing with the firm for over 20 years. She concentrates her practice representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Kerry provides guidance on general matters relating to associations, as well as counseling the board of directors for an association on corporate actions, contracts, dispute resolution and other issues relating to the association as a corporation.

Pamela Park

Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit

Pamela Park focuses her practice on representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Pamela is one of KSN's senior litigators, concentrating in the defense of discrimination actions. She has successfully handled numerous complaints on the federal, state, and local levels.

Pat Costello

Keay & Costello

Pat Costello is one of the founders of the firm of Keay & Costello, P.C. He is an attorney and with offices located in Wheaton and Batavia. Since 1993 Pat has concentrated his practice in the area association law, representing condominium, and community interest community associations. In his practice Pat has appeared before courts in DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, Kendall County, Lake County and Cook County. Pat has been licensed in the State of Illinois and by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 1993. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois. Pat is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association, ATCHA and CAI. Pat currently serves as the Co-Chair of the CAI Illinois Legislative Action Committee.

Patrick T. Costello - Keay and Costello, Attorneys at Law (keaycostello.com)

Doug Sury

Costello Sury & Rooney

Douglas J. Sury is a shareholder of Costello Sury & Rooney, P.C. Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois and he  has been licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 1999. Mr. Sury represents all forms of housing providers, including condominium and common-interest communities.  Mr. Sury also represents organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Mr. Sury devotes much of his professional time in providing general corporate guidance to his clients. 

Through a variety of methods, Mr. Sury frequently volunteers his time in a continuing effort to improve the working and living environments for condominium and common-interest community boards and members. In addition to publishing several articles, he is a frequent speaker and panelist at community association seminars and community volunteer certification programs. Mr. Sury has also been a guest speaker at “town hall” meetings hosted by state legislators.

Mr. Sury is a member of the Illinois chapter of the Community Associations Institute, the Illinois Association of Lake Communities and the Illinois State, DuPage County, and Kane County bar associations.

David Bloomberg

Chuhak & Tecson

David J. Bloomberg is a Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P. C. and both leader of the firm’s condominium and community association practice group and co-leader of the Litigation practice group. David focuses his practice on products liability litigation, commercial litigation and condominium and common interest community association law.

Gabriella Comstock

Keough & Moody, P.C.

 

 Areas of Practice

Gabriella, a principal with Keough & Moody, P.C., joined the firm in 1996 and began her representation of community associations. Gabriella is primarily responsible for litigation related to community associations, which varies from breach of contract to seeking declaratory and/or injunctive relief. Gabriella’s practice also concentrates on representing community associations in non-litigation related matters, which includes providing Boards of Directors with opinion letters, drafting amendments to the Association’s governing documents and drafting rules and regulations. She provides all areas of legal counsel to community associations within the Chicagoland area.

Education and Admissions

Gabriella received her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law after graduating Cum Laude from Loyola University of Chicago. Gabriella is admitted to practice law in all state courts in the State of Illinois. She is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Gabriella is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, and DuPage County Bar Association.

Gabriella was admitted to the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). CCAL is a prestigious group of attorneys practicing community association law in the United States. Approximately 200 attorneys have been granted membership in the College.

Industry Involvement

Gabriella was the co-chair for the Chicago Bar Association’s Condominium Subcommittee from 2015 -2022. Gabriella also presents and writes for other industry groups including MCD Media, and Condo Lifestyles. Gabriella has been involved in CAI-Illinois' Chapter. In the past, she was the co-chair of several Committees. Gabriella also contributes written articles for CAI's Common Interest Magazine and speaks at various CAI Chapter Programs, including her presentations at various Legal Forums and trade shows. For the past seven (7) years, she has served as a member of the Planning Committee for the CAI National Law Seminar. She has also presented at the CAI National Law Seminar, including as recently as in February 2024, and in 2023. Since 2020, Gabriella has been a member of the CAI CCAL Amicus Curiae Committee. Finally, Gabriella has contributed to IICLE's ("Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education") book related to Condominium Law. She has also presented for IICLE and the National Business Institute ("NBI") on issues related to community associations, as part of the continuing education they offer for Illinois attorneys.

Dawn Moody

Keough & Moody, P.C.

 

 Areas of Practice

Dawn, a principal with Keough & Moody, P.C., joined the firm in 2000 (then known as Knuckles & Jagel), where she started as a law clerk and then, as an attorney. Dawn concentrates her practice on the representation of community associations. In that regard, she assists boards in all areas of association governance, including drafting and amending governing documents, providing legal opinions, reviewing policies for compliance with applicable laws, and reviewing contracts. Dawn strives to provide proactive and practical advice to her clients.

Education and Admissions

Dawn received her J.D. degree, with honors, from Chicago Kent College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from North Central College in Naperville. Dawn was a member of the History Honor Society at North Central College and was a recipient of the CALI Award of Excellence in Criminal Procedure at Chicago Kent College of Law.

Dawn is admitted to practice law in all state courts in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Industry Involvement

Dawn presents and writes for the firm, as well as industry groups, such as CAI-Illinois' Chapter, Condo Lifestyles, and Association of Condominium Townhome and Homeowners Association (“ACTHA”). She has also presented at the CAI National Law Seminar. In addition, Dawn has contributed to IICLE's ("Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education") book related to Condominium Law

Matt Goldberg

Richmond Goldberg Gorham

Mr. Goldberg has been practicing since 2001 and is a founding member of the law firm of Richman, Goldberg & Gorham, LLC. He concentrates his practice in the areas of condominium, real estate, corporate, litigation and collections. Mr. Goldberg is an experienced association attorney, representing hundreds of condominium associations and common interest communities. He renders advice on governance issues, assessment collections, foreclosures, declaration, and rule enforcement. Mr. Goldberg is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, where he formerly served as chair of the Condominium Subcommittee of the CBA, and currently serves as a member of the Community Associations Institute – Illinois Chapter. Mr. Goldberg has spoken to numerous trade groups and bar associations on various matters relating to condominium law.

Steven Bloomberg

Chuhak & Tecson

Steven Bloomberg is a Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P. C. where he focuses his practice on condominium and common interest community association law, corporate and real estate matters and local governmental law. He is also a founder of the Community Association Institute of Illinois. Steven is rated AV, the highest ranking by Martindale-Hubbell, one of the oldest and best-known catalogs of lawyers in the United States—a “testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.” Additionally, he is author of “The Owners and Managers Guide to Condominium Management,” Institute of Real Estate Management, 1978 and 1984; and “Condominium Development Forms with Commentary,” Illinois Chapter, Callaghan and Company, 1990. Steven and his son, David, work together as a team and have put together a unique system for associations in the collection of delinquent assessments. They are available to perform other services for their association clients. Prior to entering private practice, Steven worked as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1971 to 1973 and Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1973 to 1975. Steven currently serves as Chuhak & Tecson's Co-Ombudsperson. He previously chaired the firm's Compensation Committee and served on the Finance and Management Committees

Community Associations Institute - Illinois Chapter would like to thank the program sponsors for their generous support



            

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Day 1 – April 18

Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Told You So: Concepts & Legal Benchmarks Managers Should Know 

 Presenting Firm: Saul Ewing LLC 

 Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. 

 Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. 

Residency Requirements for Condominium Directors

Presenting Firm: SFBBG LLC

 

Day 2 – April 20

Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

All Charged Up: Solar Panels & Electric Charging Stations 

 Presenting Firm: Dickler Kahn Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd.

 Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. 

 Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Legal Updates Presenting Firm: Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit

 

Day 3 – April 25

Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Deferred Maintenance & Reserve Funding: Are Your Buildings Aging Gracefully? 

 Presenting Firm: Costello Sury & Rooney

 Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. 

 Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. 

Dysfunctional Board Members Part 2: A Post-Pandemic Update & Best Practices Presenting Firm: Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.

 

Day 4 – April 27

 

Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Basic Training for Survival of the Fittest for Board Members & Managers 

Presenting Firm: Keough & Moody 

Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Day-to-Day Operations: A Review of Sections 18 & 18.4 

Presenting Firm: Richman, Goldberg & Gorham, LLC

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Step 1 Pre-Program Survey
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Legal Forum Day 1 - Part 1
Recorded 04/18/2023  |  100 minutes
Recorded 04/18/2023  |  100 minutes Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Title: Told You So: Concepts & Legal Benchmarks Managers Should Know Presenting Firm: Saul Ewing LLC Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Title: Sex & The Single Association Presenting Firm: SFBBG LLC
Legal Forum Day 1 - Part 2
Recorded 04/18/2023  |  70 minutes
Recorded 04/18/2023  |  70 minutes
Legal Forum Day 2 - Part 1
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  120 minutes
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  120 minutes Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Title: All Charged Up: Solar Panels & Electric Charging Stations Presenting Firm: Dickler Kahn Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd. Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Title: Legal Updates Presenting Firm: Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit
Legal Forum Day 2 - Part 2
Recorded 04/20/2023  |  75 minutes
Recorded 04/20/2023  |  75 minutes
Legal Forum Day 3 - Part 1
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  200 minutes
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  200 minutes Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Title: Deferred Maintenance & Reserve Funding: Are Your Buildings Aging Gracefully? Presenting Firm: Costello Sury & Rooney Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Title: Dysfunctional Board Members Part 2: A Post-Pandemic Update & Best Practices Presenting Firm: Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.
Legal Forum Day 3 - Part 2
Recorded 04/25/2023  |  100 minutes
Recorded 04/25/2023  |  100 minutes
Legal Forum Day 4 - Part 1
Recorded 04/27/2023  |  200 minutes
Recorded 04/27/2023  |  200 minutes Session I: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Title: Basic Training for Survival of the Fittest for Board Members & Managers Presenting Firm: Keough & Moody Q&A with Attorneys: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session II: 11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Title: Day-to-Day Operations: A Review of Sections 18 & 18.4 Presenting Firm: Richman, Goldber & Gorham, LLC
Legal Forum Day 4 - Part 2
Recorded 04/27/2023  |  100 minutes
Recorded 04/27/2023  |  100 minutes
Step 6: Complete the Survey: Legal Forum 2023
15 Questions
Step 7: Legal Forum Certificate
12.00 CE Credits credits  |  Certificate available
12.00 CE Credits credits  |  Certificate available