Author Archives: Michael Pike
Rising Homeowners Insurance Costs & Legislative Changes
By Andrew Boloy, Esq. With summer being a peak season for the real estate market in Florida, homeowners who purchased in past summers likely faced a surge in their homeowners insurance premiums as they came up for renewal. In addition to higher premiums, homeowners in Florida must now manage the effects of Senate… Read More »
Florida HOA Laws: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Their Rights
By Timothy O’Neill, Partner Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) were created to maintain community standards, protect property values, and manage shared amenities and services. By enforcing rules and providing a structure for collective decision-making, HOAs can create ideal living environments. However, this is not always the case. With some HOAs quickly enforcing regulations or handing out… Read More »
Anchors Aweigh: Legal Issues Surfacing in South Florida’s Yacht Industry
Jesse Fulton, Attorney Broker disputes are now extending from the real estate industry into South Florida’s $12 billion yacht industry. The recent lawsuits contend that the mandatory 10% sales commission in South Florida’s yacht sector are anticompetitive and violate antitrust laws. According to the two recently filed complaints, yacht sellers are forced to pay… Read More »
It’s That Time of the Year: Reviewing Your Rental Agreements to Ensure a Smooth Spring Break
By: Jesse Fulton, Attorney As spring break approaches, many rental owners are busy preparing for the annual influx of snowbirds and spring breakers for the season. Aside from readying the actual property to be occupied, it is critical for landlords to meticulously review their rental agreements to ensure they are compliant and appropriately mitigate… Read More »
Due Diligence for Your Business Investment
Andrew J. Boloy, Attorney Whether purchasing or investing in a business, thorough due diligence is one of the most significant aspects of protecting yourself during the process. While many business owners have the wisdom and knowledge to come up with a general value of the business through a proper accounting audit, are you sure… Read More »
Shareholder Conflict: Delaware Judge Voids Elon Musk’s Tesla Compensation Plan
On January 31st, 2024, the Associated Press (AP) reported that a Delaware judge voided the Tesla compensation plan for Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the grounds that it is “excessive” and there constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty by the company’s Board of Directors. For his part, Elon Musk has stated his intent to… Read More »
How to Choose the Right Commercial Litigation Attorney for Your Business
Choosing the right commercial litigation attorney for your business is crucial to ensure effective representation to protect your interests in legal disputes. When considering which commercial litigation attorney you should choose, keep the following tips in mind: Experience and Expertise: Look for an attorney with significant experience and expertise in commercial litigation. They should… Read More »
Mitigating Risk in Commercial Contracts
When drafting commercial contract clauses, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that can undermine the effectiveness or enforceability of the contract. Therefore, mitigating risk in commercial contracts is essential for protecting the interests of all parties involved. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when drafting and negotiating commercial contracts:… Read More »
A Rundown of New Florida Laws Going Into Effect January 1, 2023
Several new laws are set to take effect on New Year’s Day, focusing on issues like newborn health care, toll relief and, of course, the shaky property insurance system. Here’s a look at them: Electronic filing of taxes (SB 2514) The law lowers the threshold for Florida taxpayers to file electronically from $20,000 to… Read More »
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Highlights Major Accomplishments of 2022
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) strives to create safer roadways for Florida drivers every year. This year, the FLHSMV has released a list of accomplishments that should make every Florida driver a little more proud. FLHSMV’s key accomplishments from the last year include: Secured Historic Pay Increases for State… Read More »
Florida Highway Patrol Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Travel
AAA predicts this to be the busiest Labor Day travel weekend in three years, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Trends are similar to the busy Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends this year. To help keep travelers safe on the roads, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of… Read More »
Case Result: Did Award-Winning Photographer Bring Copyright Case Over Unregistered Photos? Defense Lawyers Say Yes
A lawsuit by Florida resident Charles Ngo over the alleged use of a copyrighted photograph by award-winning Texas photographer Tom Hussey has developed into a claim of fraud on the court, as the defense asserts the photo was never registered as claimed. South Florida lawyers Daniel Lustig, Michael J. Pike and Dominique Torsiello claim award-winning Texas photographer Tom… Read More »
Case Result: Should Have Skipped Leg Day: Gym Records Crush Defendant’s Protection Against $2.2M Judgment
A California dentist’s gym records foiled his alleged plans to avoid paying a $2.2 million judgment against him by claiming Florida homestead protection. A California resident’s reported love for exercise helped dash his chance of escaping a nearly $2.2 million judgment against him, plaintiffs lawyer Michael Pike said. The result was a landmark ruling against… Read More »
Pike & Lustig Case Result: South Florida Marketing Agency Wins $2.5 Million Verdict in Copyright Case
West Palm Beach lawyers won a $2.55 million verdict earlier this month in a copyright infringement case. A South Florida marketing agency that designed a website to promote singles clubs along the East Coast won a $2.55 million copyright infringement judgment earlier this month after one of its clients had the design copied and… Read More »
Class Action Shareholder Lawsuit Filed Against Florida-Based PureCycle Technologies
According to a report from Yahoo Finance, a class action shareholder lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against PureCycle Technologies. Based in Orlando, FL, PureCycle Technologies is a recycling processing company. Representatives for the plaintiffs allege that the company made material misrepresentations to shareholders…. Read More »
Florida Voters Decide Future of the State’s Minimum Wage
On November 3, 2020, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, increasing Florida’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour over a period of years. Florida’s minimum wage was already set to increase from $8.56 per hour to $8.65 per hour effective January 1, 2021. However, with Amendment 2, the next annual increase will be to $10.00… Read More »
How Your Florida Business Can Face a Negligence Per Se Claim During the Stay-at-Home Order
State and local governments in Florida ordered to shut down all non-essential businesses in response to the spread of the coronavirus disease. Gov. Ron DeSantis’s order, issued on April 1, 2020, clarifies that only essential businesses can remain open. Essential businesses include pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, laundry services, post offices, hardware stores,… Read More »
Are Ballot Selfies Really Illegal?
You may have heard that taking a picture of yourself with your ballot when you vote and posting it on social media is against the law. Well, here in Florida, it may surprise you to learn that yes, it is. There is no federal law regarding ballot selfies in the US, so creating laws… Read More »
Business Law: What is a Letter of Intent (LOI)?
Commercial transactions between businesses can be complicated. While contracts are extremely useful, it does take a lot of effort to negotiate and draft a reliable agreement. No one wants to waste their time negotiating with a company when a deal simply cannot be made. To address this potential problems, companies will often agree to… Read More »
