Gary A. Poliakoff (Founding Shareholder)
gpoliakoff@becker-poliakoff.com


Professional Experience
Mr. Poliakoff is a founding principal of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. He served as the Firm's Managing Shareholder for 35 years, from its inception in 1973 until March, 2008. He has devoted a significant part of his career to the practice of Community Association law and is considered one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Recognized internationally as an authority on common interest ownership housing, Mr. Poliakoff has been a consultant to State Legislatures, and the White House in drafting common interest ownership housing legislation. In addition, at the invitation of the Minister of Economics of the Czech Republic , he addressed the Parliament of the Czech Republic on issues relating to the conversion of State housing to private ownership, and, at the invitation of the Russian Academy of Jurisprudence, has lectured in Moscow on common interest ownership issues. He is on the Board of Governors of the Shepard Broad Law Center of Nova Southeastern University where he is an Adjunct Professor, teaching Condominium Law and Practice. In 2008, Mr. Poliakoff was recognized as the outstanding Adjunct Professor of the Year for the teaching of Doctrinal Courses. In 1990, Mr. Poliakoff served as a member of the State of Florida Condominium Study Commission and, in 1992 and 1993, as a member and chairman of the State of Florida Advisory Council on Condominiums. Twice he has testified before Committees of the United States Senate looking into potential areas of abuse in the sale, development and operation of condominiums. He served as a member of the Board of Governors of the College of Community Association Lawyers and as a member of Scribes, an organization which recognizes excellence in legal writing.

Mr. Poliakoff is the American Bar Association's Advisor to the Drafting Committee on the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Housing Act for the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws. The Committee is charged with drafting model legislation for Common Interest Ownership Housing legislation that can be used by state governments. The primary goal of the National Conference is to examine law throughout the U.S. and draft legislation in areas such as housing in which uniformity of law is desirable and practical. In addition, Mr. Poliakoff is the past chair of the H-Group of the American Bar Association, which oversees the Common Interest Ownership Development Committee, Sports Entertainment & Games Committee, Hotel, Resorts & Tourism Committee, and the Timeshare & Interval Uses Committee.

Mr. Poliakoff has also established himself as a Municipal Attorney. He assisted his own town of Southwest Ranches through their incorporation process and now serves as its Town Attorney. As such, Mr. Poliakoff advises Council Members on day to day government operations including procurement issues, land use and zoning, Sunshine and other laws affecting elected officials duties, intergovernmental agreements and the provision of municipal services. He also oversees the firm's representation of the Town's litigation matters.

Publications
Among his published articles are: “Prescription Pets,” Common Ground, January/February 2008, "Disaster Planning and Recovery," Nova Law Review, Vol. 31, Summer 2007, No. 3; " Transition of Control of the Community Association from the Unit Owners Perspective ", Probate & Property, March/April 2002 (American Bar Association); "Remodeling Common Ownership Housing Documents for the 21st Century," Probate & Property, November/December 2000 (American Bar Association); "The Florida Condominium Act," Nova Law Review, Vol. 16 Fall, 1991, Number 1; "Condominium Law, 1992 Survey of Florida Law," Nova Law Review, Volume 17, Fall, 1992, No. 1; "Condominiums - The Assessment Dilemma," 54 Florida Bar Journal 268; "Conflicting Rights in Condominium Living," 53 Florida Bar Journal 756, "The Phantom of the Condominium," Florida Bar Journal, Volume LXXII, Feb. 1998; and "The Role of the Association in Condominium Living," 55 Florida Bar Journal 111. He is co-author of Florida Condominium Law and Practice, The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education, 1982, and author of a national treatise, The Law of Condominium Operations, West Group, 1988. Mr. Poliakoff also writes a weekly Condominium Column which is published in several leading newspapers throughout Florida , including The Palm Beach Post, The Fort Pierce Tribune, The Daytona Beach News Journal, and Florida Today, as well as other newspapers in the State.

Honors and Awards
He is listed in Marquis' Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in America , and Who's Who in the World. He is the recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award presented by the American Jewish Committee in recognition of Mr. Poliakoff's outstanding work, nationally and internationally, in co-ownership housing and, specifically, for his efforts to raise the level of clarity and justness in the law.

Florida Trend Magazine recognized Mr. Poliakoff in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008. This designation was based upon a poll of Florida attorneys, who selected peers in the top 2% of their respective practice areas. Mr. Poliakoff was also selected as a "Florida Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics magazine which named Florida 's top lawyers as chosen by their peers and is also listed in "The Best Lawyers of America".

Bar Admissions
Florida , 1969
District of Columbia, 1971
Colorado, 1999

Education
J.D., University of Miami, 1969
B.S., University of South Carolina, 1966