Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 29 JUNE 2023

Title Nerds Season 2, Episode 4

Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Explore more from Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti

Our special guest for Episode 4 of our second season of Title Nerds was land title attorney Lance Pomerantz of Land Title Law.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Bethany Abele
Bethany Abele
Michael O'Donnell
Michael O'Donnell
Kevin Hakansson
Kevin Hakansson

Our special guest for Episode 4 of our second season of Title Nerds was land title attorney Lance Pomerantz of Land Title Law. An attorney who provides expert consultant services to the title insurance and real estate industry, Lance shared some very interesting war stories from his "accidental career." He has researched land grants back to the Royal Charter, as well as underwater land grants and title disputes involving numerous New York beachfront properties.

Co-host Michael R. O'Donnell asked Lance about some of the thorniest chains of title Lance has been involved in, some of which had him sounding more like a gritty Harrison Ford character than a land title attorney!

Co-host Bethany Abele then interviewed Kevin Hakansson, an associate in our Title Insurance practice, about Davis v. Reverse Mortgage Solutions, (No. 2:20-cv-632-CWB, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42496 (M.D. Ala. Mar. 14, 2023)). In Davis, two parcels of land, one with a house and the other with

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Governor Newsom Signs Key Housing Bills Into Law

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed multiple state housing bills into law that will take effect January 1, 2027, introducing significant changes to housing development regulations across the state. These new laws establish streamlined ministerial approval processes for various housing types, from high-density transit hub projects in major cities to townhomes and factory-built housing, while also reforming ADU regulations, permit processing requirements, and density bonus provisions. Will these legis
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

More For The Missing-Middle: SB 1116 Expands Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684/1123)

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act receives significant enhancements through Senate Bill 1116, expanding site eligibility criteria, limiting local zoning restrictions, and invalidating certain private deed covenants to accelerate small-lot residential subdivisions. The legislation introduces streamlined 60-day ministerial approvals while establishing new rules for lot size averaging, height restrictions, and concurrent permit processing that fundamentally reshape the pathway for starter home devel
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

Residential Vacancy Tax Preempted By State Law

A California Court of Appeal has invalidated San Francisco's Empty Homes Tax, ruling that the Ellis Act—which protects property owners' right to exit the rental market—also shields them from being forced to enter it through vacancy taxation. This landmark decision raises critical questions about the viability of similar residential vacancy taxes that other California municipalities have enacted or are considering as housing policy tools.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Article

New York City Rent Freeze Faces Legal Challenge As Court Considers Landlords’ Claims

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Article

New Florida Law Adds Licensing Risk To Contractor/Subcontractor Payment Disputes

Florida's new Section 489.1295 establishes licensing consequences for contractors who fail to timely pay subcontractors and suppliers, effective July 1, 2026. The statute creates disciplinary exposure for knowingly or willfully withholding payment, though it includes important exceptions for bona fide disputes and contractual payment terms. Contractors must now navigate potential license sanctions including fines up to $10,000, suspension, or revocation when payment disputes arise.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Article

Colorado’s New Mechanic’s Lien Law: Bigger Claims, Stronger Protections, And New Risks For Owners And Contractors

On April 6, 2026, the same day that the Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision in Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC v. Regional Rail Partners, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 26-074 into law. The legislation, which took effect on August 12, 2026, clarifies the amounts that may be included in mechanic’s liens and public construction payment claims, as well as the circumstances under which those claims may be considered excessive.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC
Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC
Article

California Contractors Get A Much-Needed Break: SB 342 Softens The Harsh Consequences Of Contractor License Lapses

Imagine completing a multimillion-dollar project, performing quality work, paying your subcontractors, and satisfying the owner, only to discover that a temporary contractor license lapse could prevent you from recovering payment for that work or pursuing claims for extra work. For decades, that was the reality under California Business and Professions Code section 7031.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Article

Understanding And Addressing Mechanic’s Liens On California Projects

Mechanic's liens pose significant challenges for property owners and developers in California construction projects, even when they have fulfilled their payment obligations. Understanding the strict procedural requirements, timing deadlines, and available remedies can help owners protect their projects from improper claims and efficiently resolve legitimate liens when they arise.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

The U.S. Supreme Court Will Decide How Courts Measure An Excessive Fine

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that will establish how courts determine whether fines and forfeitures violate the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause. At stake is whether courts must consider a defendant's actual conduct and culpability, or whether they can rely on the general seriousness of the statutory offense when assessing proportionality.
United StatesCriminal Law
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Article

New Jersey Supreme Court To Review NJDEP's Environmental Justice Rules

The New Jersey Supreme Court will review key provisions of the state's Environmental Justice Rules, including their application to facilities in unpopulated areas adjacent to overburdened communities, the classification of existing facilities as "new," and the validity of stricter air pollution control standards. The case could reshape environmental permitting requirements and determine whether long-operating businesses face permit denial or merely additional conditions.
United StatesEnvironment
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Article

New Jersey Court Analyzes Reasonable Reliance On Representation Made In Property Sale Dispute

A New Jersey court recently examined the critical role of reasonable reliance in fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims involving a commercial real estate transaction. The case centered on a buyer's allegations that they were misled about the number of apartment units that could be developed on a property site, raising important questions about when purchasers can legitimately rely on seller representations versus their own due diligence investigations. The court's analysis provides valuable guidance
United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Article

First Department In Forrest Equities Draws A Sharp Line On Title Policy Coverage For Enforcement Actions And Marketability Claims

The First Department's decision in Forrest Equities LLC v. Old Republic National Title Ins. Co. clarifies critical boundaries of title insurance coverage, specifically addressing when Covered Risks 3, 5, and 6 apply to post-closing enforcement actions and marketability disputes. The court examined whether a title policy covers litigation seeking to restore a distressed property to habitability and distinguished between legal marketability of title versus economic marketability of property.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Article

OCC Proposes Bank Secrecy Act And Sanctions Compliance Standards For Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has proposed new Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions compliance standards for permitted payment stablecoin issuers, requiring them to maintain anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing programs. The proposal includes a notable safe-harbor provision protecting issuers with effective compliance programs from enforcement actions, while establishing interagency consultation requirements and information-sharing protocols between regulators.
United StatesFinance and Banking
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti