Real Property Law Section hosts Summer Conference

The Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan will conduct its Summer Conference, titled "Finding the Balance," July 20-23 at Crystal Mountain resopirt in Thompsonville, Michigan.

In this swift-moving real estate environment, it is increasingly difficult to strike the balance between safety and cost. This dialogue took the spotlight on the heels of the Surfside collapse. Municipalities began leaning harder on safety regulations, which in turn make projects more expensive. Condominium associations and developers have increasing challenges in procuring financing, establishing appropriate reserves, and crafting and enforcing appropriate rules, while owners push for greater freedoms and lower costs. These are but two examples of areas where protecting the public, encouraging development, minimizing losses, and avoiding liability can come into conflict.

Conference Co-Chairs Catherine Riesterer of Cooper & Riesterer in Brighton and Scott Lesser of Miller Canfield in Troy invite all real estate practitioners to meet their colleagues at Crystal Mountain to exchange and explore creative solutions to achieving the proper balance amidst competing forces.

No summer conference would be complete without a full array of recreational and social activities, including a welcoming cocktail reception on Wednesday evening. A golf scramble is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, followed by a cocktail reception and the traditional Section dinner. The evening will end with family entertainment a chance to get up close and personal with exotic animals from Exotic Zoo.

The schedule for the conference features:

• Wednesday, July 20

  6:30-8 p.m. - Welcoming Reception

• Thursday, July 21

  8:15-8:45 a.m. - RPLS Lobbyist Update, with Tabitha J. Zimny, Karoub Associates

  8:45-10:45 a.m. - Feature Presentation, "Planning for Collapse Preparing for, Reacting to and Rebuilding from Disaster," with Allyn Kilsheimer, KCE Structural Engineers; moderator: Aileen M. Leipprandt, Hilger Hammond; and speakers: Kevin Hirzel, Hirzel Law; D. Homier, Foster Swift, Jose Pienknagura, Gallagher Construction Services; and Katheryne L. Zelenock, Dickinson Wright

  11 a.m.-noon - Workshops: "RON and Other Closing Nuances," with Brian Henry, Orlans; "Recent Developments in the Takings Field," with Ronald Reynolds, Fisher Phillips, Jason Long and Jerome Pesick, Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett; and "Insurance," with W. Michael McBride, Mason-McBride

• Friday, July 22

  8:15-8:45 a.m. - Roundtable Discussions

  9-9:45 a.m. - State of the Law, with Erica N. Payne, Heirloom Law Group, and Michael King, Lachman King

  9:45-9:55 a.m. - Section Annual Meeting, with Gregory J. Gamalski, Bodman, chairperson; and Land Title Standards Meeting, with Kelly A. Myers, Myers & Myers

  10:05-11 a.m. - Workshops: "Insurance," with W. Michael McBride, Mason-McBride; "Office Market," with William Bubniak, Farbman, Kyle Hauberg, Dykema, and Deborah Nemeth, SmithGroup; "Fraud Related to Title," with David Hart, Maddin Hauser; "Land Title Standards," with Michael Luberto, Chirco Title, and Kelly A. Myers, Myers & Myers; and "Recent Developments in the Takings Field," with Ronald Reynolds, Fisher Phillips, and Jason Long and Jerome Pesick, Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett

  11:05-Noon - Workshops: "Office Market," with William Bubniak, Farbman, Kyle Hauberg, Dykema, and Deborah Nemeth, Smith Group; "Fraud Related to Title," with David Hart, Maddin Hauser; "Land Title Standards," with Michael Luberto, Chirco Title, and Kelly A. Myers, Myers & Myers; and "RON and Other Closing Nuances," with Brian Henry, Orlans

• Saturday, July 23

  8:30-9:30 a.m. - Brian Holdwick, president & CFO, Ventra Group

  9:30-10:30 a.m. - Roundtable Discussions

The choices for the Roundtable Discussions, one for Friday and two for Saturday, include:

1. Home Based Business Restrictions, with E. Joseph Wloszek, Hirzel Law

2. Terminating, Reviving and Repairing Condominiums, with Greg Gamalski, Bodman

3. Vacation Rentals, with Kayleigh Long, Hirzel Law

4. Statute of Frauds/eCommerce, with Jamie Stewart, Cooper & Riesterer

5. Evictions/LT updates, with James Fink, Fink and Fink

6. Affordable Housing: Opportunities & Challenges, with Rochelle Lento, Dykema & Eric Williams, Detroit Justice

7. Commercial Lease Disputes, with Joseph Doerr, Doerr Law Firm

8. Cybersecurity & Wire Fraud, with Cindy Immonen, FNF-Family of Companies

9. Receivership Act & Cannabis Receiverships, with John Polderman, Simon

10. Financing and Enforcement Issues, with Mike Moore, Miller Canfield

11. Vapor Intrusion, with Nicholas Maloof, Associated Environmental Services

For additional information or to register for the conference, visit https://connect.michbar.org/realproperty/home.