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Passage of the SECURE Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Retirement Benefits Planning

February 4, 2020
Passage of the SECURE Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Retirement Benefits Planning

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2019 and implements major changes concerning retirement accounts such as traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts. The SECURE Act raises the age for beginning required minimum distributions (“RMDs”) to age 72 from age … Read more

Medical Marijuana in Florida – OK to Smoke But Not to Grow

December 18, 2019
Medical Marijuana in Florida – OK to Smoke But Not to Grow

On November 22, 2019, the Florida Supreme Court declined to accept jurisdiction over a case involving the right of a patient to cultivate marijuana for his own medicinal purposes. In doing so, Florida has declined to be added to the increasing minority of states that now allow homegrown marijuana. Prominent Tampa strip-club owner Joe Redner … Read more

Notary Law Change Alert: Update Your Notary Block Forms before January 1, 2020

December 18, 2019

In connection with the newly authorized remote, online notarization, the Florida approved form of notary certificate is changing effective January 1, 2020 to add reference to whether the notarization was performed in person or remotely. Failure to use the correct form of notary block for any document signed after December 31, 2019 could result in … Read more

Another Reduction in Sales Tax for Commercial Tenants

December 18, 2019

NEW LAWS IN EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2020 On January 1, 2020, the Florida sales tax rate on commercial leases will be reduced yet again, for the third time in the last three years.  The rate will be reduced from 5.7% to 5.5% for payments received for occupancies on or after January 1, 2020. The tax … Read more

Beware of the Mean Lien: 5 Tips to Protect Landlords During Tenant Improvement Work

October 8, 2019

By: Nicole Latham Carolan, Esq. and Heather S. Nason, Esq. In Florida, when a lease permits or requires a tenant to make improvements to the premises, the tenant’s contractor(s) (as well as any subcontractors or suppliers), if not timely paid, can file a lien against, and ultimately foreclose upon, not only the tenant’s leasehold interest … Read more

Counterfeit Confessions: Landlord’s Liability Extended to a Tenant’s Trademark Infringement

September 30, 2019

On August 7, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed a ruling in favor of a luxury eye wear manufacturer against a mall owner for trademark infringement violations in the case of Luxottica Group, S.P.A. vs Airport Mini Mall, LLC, Case No. 18-10157, 2019 WL 3676340 (11th Cir. Aug. 7, 2019). … Read more

Fourteen from WHWW Named 2020 Best Lawyers in America©

September 25, 2019

Fourteen lawyers from the law firm of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward and Woodman, P.A. (WHWW), were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2020), as published in dozens of city and regional publications in the U.S. including, U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the firm’s two Lawyers of the … Read more

Litigation Costs HOW Much? Can I At Least Deduct It?

August 14, 2019
Litigation Costs HOW Much? Can I At Least Deduct It?

Business owners often question whether the business will be able to deduct its legal expenses. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cavanaugh v. Commissioner, 18-60299, 2019 WL 1430193 (5th Cir. Mar. 29, 2019) recently shed some light on this matter. The Court found that settlement payments and litigation expenses paid by a business regarding … Read more

WHWW Congratulates Our 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

July 16, 2019

WHWW is pleased to announce our 2019 Super Lawyers: Ryan Davis (Bankruptcy), Jeff Deery (General Litigation) and Brad Saxton (Bankruptcy); Rising Stars are Mike Carolan (Real Estate), Heidi Mitchell (General Litigation), Andrew Roy (Bankruptcy), Jamie Blucher (Bankruptcy) and Brandon DeGel (Business Litigation). Super Lawyers, owned by Thomson Reuters, recognizes attorneys who have distinguished themselves in … Read more

WEBINAR: Commercial Tenant Notifications: Priorities and Pitfalls

July 2, 2019
WEBINAR: Commercial Tenant Notifications: Priorities and Pitfalls

WHWW attorneys Mya Hatchette and Ryan Davis are pleased to inform you of an upcoming live webinar. We think this program may be of particular interest and would like to personally invite you to attend. Read full description and register online here. Commercial Tenant Notifications: Priorities and Pitfalls Whether the rights and obligations of a … Read more