SJJ Attorney Finn Jacobsen Testifies on HOAs and Unintended Consequences of Proposed Legislation
On March 13, 2025, SJJ Attorney Finn Jacobsen testified before the Minnesota Senate Housing Committee, addressing concerns over SF 1750, a bill proposing major changes to the governance of homeowners associations ...
RECENT ARTICLES
Ohio Court Orders that “Matching” is Appropriately Determined by Appraisal
Recently, a significant decision was made in the ongoing legal battle between Cinnamon Ridge Condominium Association, Inc. and State Farm ...
SJJ Law Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
We are pleased to announce that eight of our attorneys have been selected for the 2024 Colorado & Minnesota Super ...
United States Supreme Court Eases Path for Job Transfer Discrimination Lawsuits
In a recent ruling, the US Supreme Court made it easier for employees to bring lawsuits against their employers alleging ...
Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: What Community Associations Need to Know
As of January 1, 2024, the newly enacted federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is in effect. This legislation has significant ...
COLORADO: Insurance Claim & Deductible Assessment Policies for CCIOA Communities
One of the biggest challenges facing homeowners' associations today is the affordability of property insurance. There are three main problems: ...
COLORADO: Legislative Changes to CCIOA Regarding Collection Policies
There are several important legislative updates that will impact how homeowners' associations (HOAs) manage delinquent accounts. Governor Polis has recently ...
Concurrent Causation: What to Do When an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Last month, the National Hurricane Center issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California. A watch turned into a ...
When Should I Submit a Hail Damage Claim?
Many homeowners debate whether or not to submit hail damage claims to their insurance companies. That could be a big ...
WIN: Insurance Company Must Pay for Depreciation after Litigation Delays
SJJ attorneys Tim Johnson and Brad Hammond recently won a decision in the Minnesota Federal District Court requiring that an ...
Colorado Policyholders: A Claim for Unreasonable Delay or Denial of Benefits is a Fight Worth Having
During the course of an insurance company’s adjustment of a claim, policyholders tend to deal only with the insurance adjuster ...
The Minnesota Supreme Court Guts Code Coverage for Policyholders
The Minnesota Supreme Court published its decision in St. Matthews v. State Farm. The case involved whether an insurance company ...
Another Win at the Minnesota Supreme Court on Behalf of Policyholders
Smith Jadin Johnson recently won another case at the Minnesota Supreme Court advancing policyholder’s rights. In Else v. Auto-Owners Ins. ...
COVID-19 Preparedness Plans in Minnesota for General Contractors
Under the Governor’s Order on April 23, 2020, some businesses can re-open their offices so long as they follow certain guidelines set by the State to create a safe workplace. Specifically, office workers who are essential to the business can return to work if they follow a “preparedness plan” that addresses the following issues: Work from home is required whenever…
Top 5 Ways to Avoid Risk as a General Contractor
Working as a general contractor can be quite rewarding. You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, pick the projects you want and work with your hands. However, you are also at risk of finding yourself accused of making mistakes or doing a bad job by a client after you have already done the work on their…
COLLECTING DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
It is an all too familiar occurrence. You’ve completed work for a client and they refuse to pay. Now what? Luckily you don’t have to figure out the next steps on your own. can help you collect overdue receivables. Whether it is a homeowner or a general contractor, we are here to help. Here are the top five reasons why…
Specific Instances You Can File a Mechanic’s Lien
As a contractor, you probably take great pride in the work you do for your clients. Whether you enjoy bringing a project to fruition or helping others in their time of need, working in the construction field can be fulfilling in numerous ways. However, while contracting on several projects with a wide variety of people, you probably want to do…
How Contractors Can Protect Themselves with Better Contracts
Working as a contractor in the construction industry can mean that you do a lot of work for homeowners and property managers. From repairing damages that result from storms to helping people remodel and update properties, your job helps people maintain or increase their property value. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a job well done when you have helped…
Denver’s Green Building Ordinance And What It Means For You
On October 29, 2018, the City of Denver approved the Green Buildings Ordinance; it took affect November 2, 2018. The new ordinance is modeled after a Toronto law and is one of the first of its kind for US cities. Denver now requires new roofs and roof replacement to comply with certain green building requirements. These requirements apply to both…
COLORADO: Discover How Implementing a Code of Conduct Simplifies Board Members’ Legal Duties of Care
Colorado law requires HOA board members to act in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent HOA board member ...
MINNESOTA: Rethinking MCIOA Resale Disclosure Certificates
As a law firm that works with homeowners’ associations (“HOAs”), we have noticed a trend in disputes relating to resale ...
Directors and Officers: Helpful Reminders for When Removal Becomes Necessary
While the roles of Directors and Officers are often filled by the same people, there is a technical distinction between ...
Notable Laws Passed in 2023 Affecting Minnesota Community Associations
There have been some recent developments in Minnesota law that are likely to affect Minnesota’s homeowners’ associations and property management ...
Minnesota Supreme Court: Restrictive Covenants In Community Associations
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Windcliff Association, Inc. v. Breyfogle that has important implications for homeowners' ...
Thinking Beyond Foreclosure: Practical Alternatives for Community Associations
The power of sale to foreclose is an incredible tool of recovery available to creditors. However, community associations have practical ...
Department of Labor Announces Potential Change to Overtime Eligibility
On August 30, 2023 the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed regulatory change that would significantly impact which employees ...
Additional Changes to Labor and Employment Laws in Minnesota
In addition to a ban on new noncompete agreements, Minnesota has enacted a number of new laws that affect employees ...
Let’s Talk Money: A Creditor’s Guide to Effective and Lawful Communciations
Talking about money is complicated. Individual values, expectations and social norms often drive conversations about money. Talking about owing money ...
State of Minnesota Soon to Ban Noncompete Agreements
On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed an Omnibus Labor Bill. If Governor Walz signs the bill, as expected, ...
Federal Trade Commission Proposes New Regulation Regarding Noncompete Agreements
The FTC has proposed a new regulation that would ban the use of noncompete agreements in employment. Read it here. ...
Be Prepared: Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax filing deadlines (April 15 for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs; March 15 for S-corporations) are rapidly approaching. With 2022’s financials ...
Covid-19 & Estate Planning
We’re going to beat this virus. We will get back to normal. In the meantime, however, everyone should take the appropriate and prudent steps to ensure their estate plans are in order.