Magazine Archive
A Macro Approach to Large-Scale Construction Defect Matters
Introduction Construction defect cases often bring with them a multitude of issues and parties. However, when the subject property is large and the defects are many, the issues and parties involved increase substantially. Below, we provide a macro-level approach to such large-scale construction defect matters, including who may be implicated and the inevitable coverage issues...
Read ArticleBay Area Cities Implement New Eviction and Rent Control Measures
The election results were mixed. Rent and eviction control ordinances passed in Richmond and Mountain View. In Alameda, voters approved a Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance (previously established by the City Council in March 2016), but rejected a rent control ordinance. Emeryville adopted a new ordinance requiring just cause to terminate...
Read ArticleThe Ruckus over Airbnb: Local Governments Struggle to Control Short-Term Vacation Rentals
Airbnb is presently valued at $30 billion. Not bad for a couple of guys who couldn’t even make their house payment a decade earlier.1 Started in 2007, Airbnb was nothing special. A couple of broke San Francisco tenants wanted to subsidize their income by renting out three air mattresses on the floor of their apartment...
Read ArticleCaveat Venditor - Expanding Disclosure Obligations of Residential Real Property Vendors
California has enacted several new laws and revised existing statutes that impact sellers’ disclosure requirements. These developments affect not only sellers of residences with one to four dwelling units, who must complete a Transfer Disclosure Statement (“TDS”), but also those who are exempt from completing a TDS.1 Practitioners who counsel real estate vendors should keep...
Read ArticleBartell Practically Expands 1031 Exchange Period to Two Years
IRC §1031(a)(1) provides that no gain is recognized on an exchange of like kind properties if taxpayer holds each property for business or investment purposes. A recent tax case, Bartell, illustrates how “parking arrangements” may be used to, practically speaking, extend the timeframes in like-kind exchanges. Typically, an exchange occurs as a deferred exchange. A...
Read ArticleAll in the Family: Leslie Johnson & Inga Miller
This is the third installment of Lisa J. Mendes’ interview with CCCBA member attorneys whose children join them in the practice of law. Past interviews included Skip Pfeiffer and his daughter Laura who practice family law and were featured in the October 2016 issue of Contra Costa Lawyer; and The Marchiano family with Justice James...
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