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News / 11.04.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on Wednesday, December 4th, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements!
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Eric will …
News / 10.28.24 /Eric P. BlahaandKenneth R. Jacobs
Join SBJ at New York’s Biggest & Best Co-op, Condo & Apt Expo!
📅 Date: November 19, 2024 🕘 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM 📍 Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W 34th St Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP Session 🕑 Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM 📍 Room 1 🔍 Topic: “Repairs – Who Makes Them, Who Approves Them, & Who Pays?” To register click here: …
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News / 10.08.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on October 28, 2024, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements! Alternate Date Available
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Monday, October 28th, 2024, at 5:00 pm. CLICK HERE …
News / 10.05.24 /Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP
The Smith Buss & Jacobs Team Gives Back at the Native Plant and Butterfly Garden in Yonkers
On Saturday, October 5th, the dedicated Smith Buss & Jacobs team joined forces to volunteer at the Native Plant and Butterfly Garden with the Hudson River Audubon Society in Yonkers. A big thank you goes out to all the amazing volunteers! Together, they made a lasting impact by planting, weeding, and removing invasive plants, contributing …
News / 08.23.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on September 10, 2024, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements! Alternate Date Available
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, at 5:00 pm CLICK HERE …
News / 08.22.24 /Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP
SBJ Team Outing at Yankee Stadium!
On August 22, 2024, SBJ enjoyed a fantastic team outing at Yankee Stadium. It was a wonderful opportunity to bond, celebrate and enjoy some great baseball. Events like these remind us of the importance of team spirit. We are grateful for the chance to connect and strengthen our relationships outside of the office. Thank you …
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News / 07.11.24 /Emanuela Lupu
Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP is proud to have been a sponsor and participant at the 2024 Morris-Jumel Mansion George Washington Dinner!
Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP is proud to have been a sponsor and participant at the 2024 Morris-Jumel Mansion George Washington Dinner! On Sunday, July 14, 2024, we celebrated Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. It was a wonderful evening filled with meaningful conversations and a shared commitment to these timeless values. Thanks to …
News / 06.18.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on July 23rd, 2024, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements! Alternate date available
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024, at 5:00 pm CLICK HERE …
News / 06.18.24 /Eric P. BlahaandKenneth R. Jacobs
Thank you to everyone who joined us at New York’s Biggest & Best Co-op, Condo & Apt Expo on Tuesday, June 18th!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at New York’s Biggest & Best Co-op, Condo & Apt Expo! Your participation made the event a tremendous success, and we’re grateful for your attendance. Special thanks to our SBJ speakers, Ken Jacobs, and Eric Blaha, for their insightful presentations on “Resident Rights vs. Board Confidentiality – New …
News / 06.10.24 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
We are a proud participant at the Real Property Law Section Summer Meeting 2024
We’re excited to share that Kenneth R. Jacobs, a Partner at Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP, will be attending the three-day NYSBA Real Property Law Section Summer Meeting in Montreal from July 11th- July 14th. Ken Jacobs attendance at this notable event highlights our firm’s commitment to staying at the forefront of real estate law …
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News / 05.29.24 /Eric P. BlahaandKenneth R. Jacobs
You’re invited to attend a Powerful Educational Seminar- Cooperator Events EXPO 2024 New York
Smith Buss & Jacobs, cordially invites you to attend: RESIDENT RIGHTS VS. BOARD CONFIDENTIALITY—NEW STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO RECORDS & DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE INFORMATION What rights do individual owners have to inspect their association’s books? What rights do boards have to limit owner review? When can a board restrict what an owner discloses to other …
News / 05.01.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on June 10th, 2024, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements! Alternate date available
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 5:00 pm CLICK HERE …
News / 04.18.24 /Eric P. Blaha
Join Eric Blaha on April 25, 2024, at 5:00PM, to complete your Fair Housing training requirements! Alternate date available.
To All Board Members and Property Managers, If you need to fulfill your mandatory Fair Housing training requirements under the new Westchester County law or other New York State law, please register for free by clicking the link below: CLICK HERE to register for Fair Housing training on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 5:00 pm CLICK HERE …
News / 04.11.24 /Jack Malley
Severance Agreements CLE Webinar April 18th, 2024, hosted by Jack Malley
Severance Agreements Date: April 18th, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT Speaker: Jack Malley, Partner Cost: No Charge Credits: 1.5 (NY) Register here Learn about: The fundamentals of severance agreements The newest laws and their impact Typical severance packages in today’s market; and Common negotiation points and tactics
News / 09.23.23 /Eric P. Blaha,Jeffrey D. Buss,Kenneth R. Jacobs,Thomas W. SmithandMark L. Manewitz
Smith Buss & Jacobs 2023 selections by Super Lawyers
Eric Blaha, Jeffrey Buss, Kenneth Jacobs, Mark Manewitz & Thomas Smith have each been selected to the 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of …
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News / 06.08.23 /Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP
Introduction to Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP
Founded in 1991, Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP combines superlative legal service with a practical approach to delivering real-world solutions that ensure client value. Our exceptional attorneys deliver enhanced expertise across Real Estate, Cooperative and Condominium, Business, Litigation and Appeals and Government Law. We are proud of our outstanding reputation, impeccable industry rating, and large and prestigious client …
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News / 01.12.23 /Nancy Durand
Join Nancy Durand and Nonprofit Westchester on February 16, 2023 to discuss the top legal and governance issues for nonprofits.
Nancy Durand will be joined by Maurice Segall, the Director of the NY & Fairfield County Program at Pro Bono Partnership. The discussion will be held virtually on February 16th, 2023 from 9:00-10:30 AM. The talk is free for NPW members. Non-NPW members will have to pay $15.00 to register. Click here to register.
News / 11.14.22 /Eric P. Blaha,Jeffrey D. Buss,Kenneth R. Jacobs,Thomas W. SmithandMark L. Manewitz
Smith Buss & Jacobs 2021 selections by Super Lawyers
Eric Blaha, Jeffrey Buss, Kenneth Jacobs, Mark Manewitz & Thomas Smith have each been selected to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of …
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News / 05.17.22 /Jeffrey D. Buss
Westchester Business Journal: Westchester Attorney, Jeffrey Buss, is Instrumental in $621.5M Refinancing
A Westchester attorney whose firm is based in Yonkers was instrumental in coordinating a real estate refinancing so significant that it was announced jointly on April 28 by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congressman Jamal Bowman and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge. Even without the …
Jacob Amir obtained a favorable decision after trial for his clients, residential homeowners, defending against claims brought by a contractor for wrongful termination and breach of contract.
Following on a four day trial, the Court issued a decision that dismissed the complaint, determined that Jacob’s clients permissibly terminated the contractor, and awarded the clients counterclaim judgment for overpayments made and expenses incurred.
News / 04.28.22 /Jeffrey D. Buss
Partner Jeffrey Buss Coordinates $124,000,000 Co-op City Refinancing with HUD
Governor Hochul, Secretary Fudge, Senator Schumer, and Representative Bowman Announce Approval of Loan Refinancing to Maintain Housing Quality and Affordability for Co-op City Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, Senator Charles Schumer, and Representative Jamaal Bowman today announced that Riverbay Corporation, the management company for Co-op City, the …
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Attorney Jacob Amir obtained summary judgment dismissal on behalf of his client, the remaining member of a limited liability company, who was accused of breaching a workout and settlement agreement
The other outgoing member alleged that Jacob’s client agreed to an itemization of income and expenses and make installment payments to the outgoing member in exchange for a transfer of interests. The company was formed as a joint venture to act as general contractor on certain large-scale projects. Jacob used the General Obligations Law to …
Attorney Jacob Amir Obtained The Cancellation Of A Mechanics Lien Filed Against A Condominium Building And 48 Condominium Units.
Attorney Jacob Amir obtained the cancellation of a mechanics lien filed against a condominium building and 48 condominium units. The lienor, a general contractor, needed to pay substantial insurance premiums in order to qualify its bid for a project. When the project was delayed, the contractor filed for recovery of its premium costs. Our firm …
News / 11.10.21 /Kenneth R. Jacobsand
Webinar: A Matter of Trust – When Owners Transfer Apartments to Trusts, LLCs, & Other Legal Entities
Register NOW for our November 16th, Cooperator Town Hall Event at 2:00pm EST. Led by Kenneth R. Jacobs and A.J. Morgenstern. Shareholders and unit owners often seek to transfer ownership of their apartments to Revocable Living Trusts, Medicaid Trusts, Family Limited Liability Companies and other artificial entities in order to avoid probate and reduce their …
Jacob Amir has been appointed Co-Chair of the Construction Law Committee of the Westchester Bar Association.
Jacob Amir has been appointed Co-Chair of the Construction Law Committee of the Westchester Bar Association. The Committee members are engaged in some of the largest and most advanced public and private development projects in the County and around New York State.
News / 10.15.21 /Eric P. Blaha,Jeffrey D. Buss,Kenneth R. Jacobs,Thomas W. SmithandMark L. Manewitz
Smith Buss & Jacobs 2021 selections by Super Lawyers
Eric Blaha, Jeffrey Buss, Kenneth Jacobs, Mark Manewitz & Thomas Smith have each been selected to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating …
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Jacob Amir obtained dismissal of a complaint brought by a commercial property owner against our client, the principal of a construction company, regarding the principal’s certification on payment requisitions totaling about $700,000 under a $7.5 million construction management contract.
The owner alleged that our client engaged in fraud and misrepresentation when he certified the accuracy of payment requisitions which the owner claimed were false due to non-performance and non-payments to subcontractors. The Court adopted Jacob’s arguments that the principal could not be held personally liable for the claims alleged, and granted dismissal of the …
News / 07.16.21 /Kenneth R. Jacobs,Emanuela LupuandJennifer L. Stewart
Webinar: Legal Updates – New State, Local & Federal Legislation – What Boards Should Know
Register NOW for our June 29th, Cooperator Town Hall Event at 2:00pm EST. Led by Kenneth R. Jacobs, Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante, and Jennifer L. Stewart. Overview: The New York State legislature amended several important laws affecting co-ops and condos in the last two days of its session. Several new federal and local laws will also have …
News / 12.30.20 /Jack Malley
Jack Malley won an appeal on December 29, 2020. The First Department affirmed Supreme Court, New York County’s decision granting a preliminary injunction enjoining a Manhattan co-op from evicting Jack’s client from an apartment he inherited after the co-op board denied his transfer application.
News / 11.30.20 /Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP
Webcast: Trends and Developments in Trade Secrets: What Companies Must Know and Do
Charles Welcome joins a group of panelists on Thursday, December 10th at 3:00 pm to present an in-depth analysis of the recent trends and developments in trade secrets. Speakers will offer the best practices to effectively identify and mitigate potential loopholes and protect trade secrets from risks of theft. They will also provide the audience …
News / 10.13.20 /Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP
Smith Buss & Jacobs 2020 selections by Super Lawyers
Eric Blaha, Jeffrey Buss, Kenneth Jacobs & Thomas Smith have each been selected to the 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. In addition, Associate, Charles Welcome has been …
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News / 10.06.20 /Nancy Durand
Webinar: Best Practices to Avoid Breach of Fiduciary Duty Liability
Register HERE to join Nancy Durand, Special Counsel on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 12pm as she presents in the webinar sponsored by New York Council of Nonprofits Inc. “Join NYCON corporate ally, Smith Buss & Jacobs as they guide us through the best practices to avoid fiduciary duty liability. In this webinar they will …
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News / 10.06.20 /Nancy Durand
Upcoming Board Governance Series: How to Build an Effective Board of Directors
Being a board member of a nonprofit entity is an awesome responsibility undertaken by volunteers (often with other full-time commitments) who are driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to their community, industry, or society at large. Whether you serve on the board of a nonprofit corporation, foundation, or housing entity, you are a fiduciary …
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News / 10.06.20 /Kenneth R. Jacobs,Emanuela LupuandDomenick J. Tammaro
Town Hall: Remote Control – Managing Meetings, Elections & Shareholder Anxiety during COVID
Kenneth R. Jacobs, Domenick J. Tammaro, Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante led a Cooperator Town Hall Event on October 6, 2020. Overview Countless co-op and condo communities postponed their annual meetings this past spring thanks to the pandemic. Not only do those meetings still need to be held, but arrears are higher, sales are slower, and it looks …
News / 08.14.20 /Nancy Durand
Webinar: How to Effectively Conduct an Internal Investigation
On August 20th, Special Counsel, Nancy Durand gave a webinar “How to Effectively Conduct an Internal Investigation” where she will discuss strategies for investigating workplace misconduct and other allegations. This webinar was hosted by The Knowledge Group. For more information contact: Nancy Durand ndurand@sbjlaw.com
News / 08.13.20 /Eric P. BlahaandKenneth R. Jacobs
Webinar: Conducting Online Meetings – should the practice be continued?
Ken Jacobs & Eric Blaha were panelists on the webinar hosted by Hudson Valley CAI “HOAs-Discontinue Online Meetings and Voting?” held August 13th. Review the presentation materials here or watch the webinar recording here: Hudson Valley CAI “HOAs – Discontinue Online Meetings and Voting?” For more information contact: Eric Blaha at eblaha@sbjlaw.com or Ken Jacobs …
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News / 07.16.20 /Kenneth R. Jacobs,Emanuela LupuandDomenick J. Tammaro
Webinar: Living in a COVID World – Confronting Real-Life Issues as Associations Reopen
Kenneth R. Jacobs, Domenick J. Tammaro, Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante led a Cooperator Town Hall Event on July 16, 2020. Overview Countless co-op and condo communities postponed their annual meetings this past spring thanks to the pandemic. Not only do those meetings still need to be held, but arrears are higher, sales are slower, and it looks …
Webinar: Addressing Lien Law 3A claims in and out of Bankruptcy Court
Overview Article 3A of the New York Lien Law sets up a system of trusts to make sure that construction moneys received by owners and contractors are applied to pay for the cost of the improvement. It also provides a mechanism for owners and subcontractors to claim diversion of funds against contractors who fail to …
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News / 05.14.20 /Eric P. BlahaandThomas W. Smith
Habitat LIVE: Zoom Annual Meetings
Tom Smith joins Habitat LIVE to discuss the protocol developed by Smith Buss Jacobs to run annual meetings and board elections in the current era of social distancing.
News / 04.03.20 /Jeffrey D. Buss
Smith Buss & Jacobs Closes Historic Financing in the midst of the Pandemic
Co-Op City, New York’s largest affordable housing complex, will stay affordable for another 30 years pursuant to a March 31st, 2020 loan agreement between Co-op City and the City of New York. The Agreement provides One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), at zero percent interest, with the principal forgiven, conditioned upon the Cooperative’s agreement to remain in …
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BREAKING NEWS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Empire State Development Corporation Issues Guidance On What Businesses Provide an “Essential Function” Under Executive Order 202.6, as Revised Executive Order No. 202.6 directed that all businesses and non-profit entities are required to reduce their in-person workforce by 75%, and Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order (the “PAUSE Order” will increase that …
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News / 03.20.20 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
BREAKING NEWS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Governor Cuomo Extends Lockdown on “Non-Essential” Businesses to 100% of Employees Governor Cuomo announced today that New York State would take a “pause,” requiring that 100% of employees of “non-essential businesses” cannot go to their place of employment. The “pause” included specific guidelines affecting persons over 70 and vulnerable persons under 70. We are awaiting …
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News / 03.20.20 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
BREAKING NEWS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Governor Cuomo Announces Executive Order Imposing 90-day Moratorium on Mortgage Payments and Mortgage Foreclosures Governor Cuomo announced at a press conference this afternoon that he plans to order a 90-day moratorium on all mortgage payments and mortgage foreclosures. Mortgage payments will be suspended for three months based on financial hardship, and mortgage foreclosures will be …
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News / 03.17.20 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
Habitat LIVE: What should co-ops and condos do during the coronavirus pandemic?
Practical advice for co-op and condo board directors about how to conduct themselves and their buildings due to the health crisis.
News / 03.02.20 /andNancy Durand
WVOX Interview with Jacob Amir & Nancy Durand
Jacob Amir and Nancy Durand discuss the firm and their work in Westchester County with the Business Council of Westchester.
Firm News
Jacob Amir won a decision after trial declaring his clients’ shareholder interests in a private corporation, voiding a 2015 deed determined to be fraudulent, and restoring ownership of a nearly eight acre residential property to the corporation. The trial in Westchester involved over 100 exhibits, recreating over 30 years of factual history and followed extensive …
News / 01.08.20 /Nancy Durand
Firm News
Nancy Durand won an appeal on behalf of a local municipality in a proceeding pursuant to General Municipal Law § 50-e(5), for leave to serve a late notice of claim. The City appealed from an order of the Supreme Court, Westchester County, which granted a motion to renew a petition for leave to serve a …
Firm News
Jacob Amir, a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Youth, Law and Citizenship, participated in the committee’s conference on October 3 and 4, 2019 on how school districts can better address student and faculty mental health and substance abuse issues.
News / 08.02.19 /Jack Malley
Firm News
Jack Malley won a preliminary injunction enjoining a Manhattan co-op from evicting his client from the apartment that he, his wife and their kids have lived in since 1994. The case concerns a provision in many New York City proprietary leases that controls the transfer of co-op apartments from an estate of a deceased shareholder …
News / 06.13.19 /Thomas W. Smithand
Firm News
Tom Smith and Jacob Amir won summary judgment on behalf of a large marina owner in Westchester, obtaining dismissal of claims brought by a commercial tenant seeking money damages and the enforceability of a 99-year ground lease. After extensive discovery, our firm moved to dismiss the complaint because the commercial tenant’s claims, if accepted, would …
Speaking Engagement
In the Spring 2019, Jacob Amir was invited to once again teach a seminar course in the Paralegal Studies program, hosted by Pace Law School, on civil procedure in the New York courts. Jacob has taught this course for the last several years, and has also lectured on corporations and essential legal skills in the program.
News / 03.06.19 /Emanuela Lupu
CAI Long Island Chapter Meeting 3.28.19
Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante will be participating in an educational presentation on Delinquency & Foreclosure.
News / 11.27.18 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
Learn More about the Firm’s Cooperative and Condominium Practice with Ken Jacobs!
News / 10.22.18 /Emanuela Lupu
The Smoke Free Air Act
New York City has recently passed regulations requiring all boards of co-ops and condos to pass a policy with respect to smoking and to notify all their residents of that policy and post it in the building.
This should motivate all boards to begin thinking about what they want and what their residents want with respect to smoking and the quality of life in a building. Many boards have passed policies prohibiting smoking within apartments. Those are enforceable only through proprietary-lease amendments, and to amend those requires a shareholder vote.
News / 09.28.18 /Kenneth R. Jacobs,Emanuela LupuandDomenick J. Tammaro
The Cooperator Expo 10.11.18
Partners Ken Jacobs, Domenick Tammaro & Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante are teaming up to discuss the unique challenges of co-op and condo governance.
Community Conflicts and Capital Plans – Two Top Issues Boards Must Face
News / 07.31.18 /Emanuela Lupu
Demystifying Housing 2018 Conference
Emanuela Lupu-Ferrante, Esq. will be presenting at the 2018 Demystifying Housing Conference along with other members of the HDFC Coalition.
News / 05.23.18 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
Join Ken Jacobs & the CAI on March 28th for a Session in Hot Topics Affecting Cooperatives & Condominiums
Click the link below to review our event flyer.
News / 02.20.18 /Kenneth R. Jacobs
Ken Jacobs Presents a Lesson in Habitat U’s Latest Course
Dealing with a casualty: What do your bylaws require?
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