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2009
MARCH 2009 - Free "Condo Q&A" Seminar #2
Our second free "Condo Q&A" seminar took place at Lion's Arena Hall, 20 Rittenhouse Road, Kitchener, on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Michael and Nelson answered questions on a range of issues relating to condominium law. Clerks, Helen and Terry also attended, and Terry provided an assortment of home baked refreshments.
APRIL 2009 - CCI Seminar, Norfolk
Michael and other members of the Canadian Condominium Institute's Golden Horseshoe Chapter board of directors presented a seminar on condominium law and related issues to interested CCI members in Norfolk County on April 4, 2009.
MAY 2009 - CCI - GHC "CONDOMINIUM CONFERENCE 2009"
At the CCI-Golden Horseshoe Chapter's conference and tradeshow, "Condos Are For People", held May 9, 2009, at the Hamilton Convention Centre, Michael moderated the session titled, "Know Your Docs", providing an overview of key condominium documents before the speakers presented specific commentaries.
JUNE 2009 - Free "Condo Q&A" Seminar #3
Our third free "Condo Q&A" seminar was hosted by the Brant Condominium Corporations Association on June 17, 2009. After opening remarks by BCCA president, Carol Droeske, Michael and Mark addressed questions on a variety of issues for over 75 attendees from various condominium corporations including directors and unit owners. BCCA provided refreshments
AUGUST 2009 - BCCA AGM
Michael was pleased to be guest speaker at the second Annual General Meeting of the Brant Condominium Corporations Association (BCCA) on August 13, 2009. Michael is an honorary member of the BCCA.
SEPTEMBER 2009 - ACMO Luncheon
Michael participated in a panel of four condominium lawyers at an ACMO luncheon on Friday, September 25, 2009, speaking on human rights. A copy of his slide presentation may be viewed by clicking here.
SEPTEMBER 2009 - Lerners LLP Cup (Moot Court)
Mark participated again as a judge for the Lerners LLP Cup for the Faculty of Law at The University of Western Ontario, on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. The Lerners LLP Cup is a voluntary competition that gives upper-year students the opportunity to argue a hypothetical case before an appellate court. This year the case studied is R. v. Craig,(2007), 218 CCC (3d) 510 (BCCA), which deals with forfeiture of property relating to an offense under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Mark is one of a number of judges, practicing lawyers and third-year students volunteering their time to act as judges for the competition. As a law student, Mark was a successful competitor in the Lerners LLP Cup and represented the UWO Faculty of Law in further competitions.
OCTOBER 2009 - Condominium Law seminar for the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB)
On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, Michael presented a 2-hour seminar to realtors of the KWREB, combining the two-part seminar series he presented to the KWREB in 2007 and 2008 on buying and selling new and re-sale condominium units.
OCTOBER 2009 - Canadian Condominium Institute Level 200 Course - Kitchener/Cambridge Area
The Level 200 Course offered by the Canadian Condominium Institute - Golden Horseshoe Chapter was held on October 17and 24 at the offices of the Cowan Insurance Group in Cambridge. Michael was organizer of the agenda for the event as member of the CCI-GHC Board of Directors and presented various topics on the morning of October 17 including Condominium Documents, Standard Unit By-laws, Proxies and a discussion of laws other than the Condominium Act, 1998 that impact condominium operations. Mark also appeared on October 17, presenting on the topic of Condominium Liens. Both Mark and Michael participated in the Q&A session on that day.
NOVEMBER 2009 - ACMO/CCI Toronto Conference, November 6-7, 2009
Michael participated in the Roundtable (Q&A) portion of the 2009 ACMO/CCI-T Conference, "From the Foundation Up", held at the Hilton Suites in Markham.
NOVEMBER 2009 - WRHBA Awards of Distinction, November 13, 2009
Clifton Kok LLP was Platinum Sponsor of the Waterloo Region Home Builders' Association (WRHBA) Awards of Distinction. Mark represented the firm in presenting one of the awards at the awards dinner on November 13, 2009. The WRHBA is a network of professionals involved in the housing industry across Waterloo Region including the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. It has been "the voice of residential construction industry" in this area since 1946. The Awards of Distinction are given to home builders who are members of the association and are recognized for exceptional accomplishments in various aspects of the business, including home design, effective advertising, green initiatives and positive reurbanization projects.
NOVEMBER 2009 - Congratulations! Michael is elected as VP of CCI-GHC
Michael was elected as Vice President of the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute. The board is currently reviewing its governance structure and obtaining this position may commit Michael to 6 years' participation in the Chapter Executive, as VP, President and then Chair of the organization.
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2008
APRIL 2008 - Canadian Condominium Institute Level 100 Course - Kitchener
Michael and Nelson were presenters at CCI's Level 100 course held at the Coldwell Banker building in Kitchener on April 5. Michael presented on a variety of topics including what is a condominium, status certificates, changes to common elements, by-laws, rules and the standard unit, and moderated the Question and Answer period. Nelson presented on legal proceedings and remedies and was a participant in the Q&A panel.
MAY 2008 - Meeting with Brant Condominium Corporation Association (BCCA)
Michael met with directors of the BCCA for a question and answer session dealing with a variety of issues relating to the Condominium Act, 1998.
MAY 2008 - Michael Clifton Awarded ACCI (Law) Designation
In May, Michael received confirmation he has been awarded the designation of Associate of the Canadian Condominium Institute (ACCI) in the category of Legal Professional. This designation may be granted to lawyers practicing in the area of condominium law who have provided significant service to CCI and demonstrate knowledge of the law relevant to condominium development and administration through a written examination.
AUGUST 2008 - BCCA AGM
Michael was one of a small number of guests invited to speak at the first Annual General Meeting of the Brant Condominium Corporations Association (BCCA) on August 14, 2008. Other guest speakers included the Mayor of Brantford, the local MPP and the president of the CCI-Golden Horseshoe Chapter. Michael spoke on section 98 agreements and answered a variety of questions from the floor. All guest speakers were awarded honorary membership in the BCCA.
SEPTEMBER 2008 - Free "Condo Q&A" Seminar
Our first free "Condo Q&A" seminar on September 10, 2008, was a success, thanks primarily to the many condominium directors and managers in attendance who enjoyed refreshments and provided over 25 questions that were answered by Michael and Nelson on issues ranging from rule enforcement to dealing with Tarion, borrowing by-laws, insurance claims, human rights, fidelity bonds, changes to common elements, reserve funds, and more. The success of this first event has encouraged to consider doing it again early in 2009.
SEPTEMBER 2008 - Seminar following the CCI Golden Horseshoe Chapter AGM
Following the CCI-GHC AGM on September 18, 2008, Michael participated with other experienced condominium lawyers in a seminar discussing how to keep condominium disputes out of court for all attendees at the AGM. Michael's presentation focused on the usefulness of up-to-date and accurate condominium documentation as a preventative for litigation.
SEPTEMBER 2008 - UWO Faculty of Law Lerners LLP Cup Moot Court Competition
On September 24, 2008, Mark participated as a judge in the Lerners LLP Cup Moot Court Competition for the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law (his alma mater law school). According the Faculty's website, "This voluntary competition gives upper-year students the opportunity to argue a hypothetical case before an appellate court. Judges, practicing lawyers and third-year students generously volunteer their time to act as judges for the competition. The top eight students advance to the final rounds to compete for the Lerners LLP Cup. Doing well in this competition is the gateway to qualifying to represent Western Law in one of several external advocacy competitions against other Canadian and American law schools." As a student at UWO Faculty of Law, Mark successfully competed in the Lerners Cup and as a result represented the Faculty against Canadian and American law schools in external competitions in the area of International Law.
OCTOBER 2008 - "The Toronto Condo Show 08"
Michael and Darlene Cade presented a workshop to an audience of property managers and condominium directors at the third annual Toronto Condo Show on October 3, 2008, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, entitled "Condo Insurance - Who Is Responsible?" explaining and answering questions about insurance for condominium corporations and unit owners. Click here to view the Powerpoint presentation jointly prepared by Michael and Darlene Cade and used during this workshop.
OCTOBER 2008 - Canadian Condominium Institute Level 200 Course - Kitchener
Michael assisted in the organization of and provided instruction at the CCI Level 200 course in the Kitchener area that took place October 18 and 25. Michael's slide presentations used during this year's course, dealing with Condominium Liens, Repair and Maintenance Obligations, Standard Units and Changes to Common Elements, are avaliable on the Condominium Law information page of our website (under the heading, "Other Materials").
OCTOBER 2008 - ACMO/CCI Toronto Conference, October 31 - November 1, 2008
On October 31, 2008, Michael took part in a panel at the ACMO/CCI Conference in Toronto on Building Better Values by Acting Wisely. Michael explained the meaning of "good faith" and fiduciary duties of condominium directors. Check out our FYI page for copies of materials used or provided by Michael at this conference.
NOVEMBER 2008 - Condominium Law seminar for the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB)
On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Michael re-presented the first in a two-part seminar series for realtors on issues (first presented in October 2007 - see below) relating to buying and selling condominium units for the KWREB.
NOVEMBER 2008 - Q&A for County of Wellington
On November 12, 2008, Michael, Mark and Craig Robson (partner, Robson Carpenter LLP) met with a group of planners working for the County of Wellington to explain aspects of condominium development law and answer questions about some uncommon issues that sometimes arise.
DECEMBER 2008 - Condominium Law seminars for the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB)
On December 2, 2008, Michael re-presented the second in a two-part seminar series for realtors at KWREB (first presented in November 2007 - see below) on issues relating to buying and selling resale condominium units.
DECEMBER 2008 - Q&A for City of Cambridge
On December 11, 2008, Michael, Mark and Craig Robson (partner, Robson Carpenter LLP) met with a group of planners working for the City of Cambridge in the Region of Waterloo to explain aspects of condominium development law and answer questions about some uncommon issues that sometimes arise.
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2007
FEBRUARY 2007 - Firm open for business; article in Ayr News
Clifton Kok LLP officially commenced operation in February, 2007, taking up residence in the historic Canadian Bank of Commerce building in Ayr, Ontario. Click on this link to read an article from the Ayr News.
MARCH 2007 - Article on Condominium Living in Grand Magazine
Click on the following link to read an article based on an interview with Michael that was published in the March/April 2007 edition of the Waterloo Region lifestyle periodical, Grand Magazine: "The Four C's of Condo Living". The article is also available at the Grand Magazine website.
APRIL 2007 - Canadian Condominium Institute Level 100 Course - Kitchener
On Saturday, April 28, 2007, Michael was presenter and moderator at the Canadian Condominium Institute - Golden Horseshoe Chapter Level 100 Course for condominium directors and managers in the Kitchener area. Michael assisted in rewriting some of the materials to be handed out at this course. For details on course offerings from the CCI - Golden Horseshoe Chapter, click here to view their website.
SEPTEMBER 2007 - Condominium Law seminar for the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB)
On Tuesday, September 11, 2007, Michael presented the first in a two-part seminar series for realtors on issues relating to buying and selling condominium units for the KWREB. The first part focussed on basic concepts (such as the varying types of condominium) and issues relating to new condominium units. The attached handout was included in materials provided for this course to summarize some issue relative to agreements of purchase and sale for new or proposed condominium units. The Powerpoint presentation that accompanied Michael's discussion can be viewed here.
SEPTEMBER 2007 - Nelson Amaral joins Clifton Kok LLP as an Associate Lawyer
On September 24, 2007, Nelson Amaral, who had been practicing in the area of civil litigation, started work at Clifton Kok LLP as an associate lawyer assisting Michael and Mark with both the condominium management law and the land and condominium development law practices. See attached announcement.
OCTOBER 2007 - Welcome Law Clerk Terry Audette to Clifton Kok LLP
On October 15, 2007, Clifton Kok LLP welcomed Terry Audette, a graduate of the Law Clerk program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, as a new addition to our staff. Terry brings enthusiasm and varied experience to the firm. She assists Helen Ribeiro in a variety of administrative and legal matters, and each of our lawyers with tasks relating to all our areas of practice.
OCTOBER 2007 - Canadian Condominium Institute Level 200 Course - Kitchener/Cambridge Area
Michael assisted in organizing and preparing course materials for the Level 200 Course offered by the Canadian Condominium Institute - Golden Horseshoe Chapter that was held on October 13 and 20 at the offices of the Cowan Insurance Group in Cambridge. Michael presented on a number of topics and was the emcee for Day 2 of the course.
NOVEMBER 2007 - ACMO/CCI Conference in Toronto
Clifton Kok LLP was among the sponsors of the 2007 ACMO/CCI Condominium Conference held at the Doubletree Hotel in Toronto on November 2 and 3. For details on other and upcoming CCI events, visit the CCI website.
NOVEMBER 2007 - Second Condominium Law seminar for the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB)
Michael presented the second in a two-part seminar series for realtors on issues relating to buying and selling condominium units for the KWREB on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. This seminar ("Condominium 101B") focussed on issues relating to resale condominium units. The Powerpoint presentation that accompanied Michael's discussion can be viewed here.
NOVEMBER 2007 - Condominium Law seminar for Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) - London & Area Chapter
Michael provided the presentation, "The Good, The Bad and The 'What the heck were you thinking?!?' - Things Done and Things Disputed in Condominiums," at the Shriner's Mocha Temple for the London & Area Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. |
