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 Fire and Casualty Company, highlighting the importance of understanding insurance ...
RECENT ARTICLES
MINNESOTA: Legislature Looks to Address Rising Insurance Premiums
One distressing trend that has become all too familiar for Minnesota residents is the rising cost of homeowner’s insurance. An ...
Minnesota General Contractors: Legislative Changes for 2024
The 2024 legislative session included many changes that will impact residential contractors. Worker Classification Beginning on July 1, 2024, the ...
The FTC Officially Bans Noncompete Agreements
On April 23, 2024 the Federal Trade Commission approved a new rule effectively banning the use of noncompete agreements between ...
Material Matching in Colorado: Bertisen v. Travelers
Matching coverage is a type of coverage available under most policies that ensures when a claim is filed for a ...
MINNESOTA: Update to Important Insurance Claim Deadlines
A common question we are asked is how long a policyholder has to complete the claims process after a covered ...
SJJ Law Wins Another Important Case Against State Farm in Minnesota
SJJ attorneys Tim Johnson and Jordan Vassel recently won an important case against State Farm. A homeowner suffered a water ...
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…
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 ...
Board Duties: Concentrating on Obligations Ensures Consistency
Association boards of directors are responsible for operating their communities consistent with the community’s governing documents (the Articles of Incorporation, ...
HO-6 Insurance: An Update for Owners and Associations
Having the right insurance coverage can give homeowners peace of mind in otherwise stressful circumstances. When it comes to Homeowner ...
MCIOA: Member Records and Requests for Community Associations
One of the primary functions of a community association is to operate and maintain the property. In doing so, the ...
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.