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 is even more taboo. It’s one thing to ask your ...
RECENT ARTICLES
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…
Mechanic’s Liens In Minnesota
handles all aspects of mechanic’s liens throughout the State of Minnesota and elsewhere. Mechanic’s liens in Minnesota can be technically demanding, require proper documentation, precise timing, careful attention to detail, and depending on the project or property, can be complex. provides advice and assistance, including drafting and serving the appropriate notices, filing and serving the appropriate lien documents, as well…
Hail damage costs billions nationwide each year
Anytime a large storm hits, you hear about the hail damage. But how much does that damage cost Americans each year? The Insurance Information Institute states that 2017 saw 6,045 major hail storms, which caused about $1.8 billion in crop and property damage. When combined with wind damage, that figure rises to well over $2 billion. Where does hail hit…
Duty to Cooperate in Property Damage Claims
An insurance policy is a contract that is binding and enforceable on both the policyholder and the insurance company. Within the policy, both parties have certain obligation and duties. The “duty to cooperate” is one of the most important policyholder duties. From a practical viewpoint, the duty to cooperate requires the policyholder to allow an insurance company to investigate the…
Partner Chris Drake Receives Great Decision in Connection with an Insurance Bad Faith Claim
SJJ attorney Chris Drake recently received a great decision from the Colorado Federal Court in connection with an insurance bad faith claim where the insurance company was trying to move the case from State to Federal court. The case was originally filed in state court and later removed by the insurance carrier to federal court. Following the removal, Chris amended…
Reserve Studies are not Preventative Maintenance Plans
In 2017, the Minnesota legislature made several changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, Minn. Stat. 515B (“MCIOA”), the law governing most homeowner associations in Minnesota. One of these changes requires that associations adopt and distribute a formal Preventative Maintenance Plan (“PMP”) by January 1, 2019. For more information on the specifics of these Plans, see our previous post…