2024 – Ricardo Gilmore, shareholder, was a speaker at the Housing and Development Law Institute (HDLI) 19th
Annual General Counsel Forum. Rhonda Stringer, a partner, and Suzanne DeCopain, of Counsel, attended the event. It was held at the Westshore Grand Hotel in Tampa, FL on February 8-9, 2024.
As listed on its website, the “HDLI is the only national organization solely addressing the legal, rather than the policy or administrative, issues facing public housing and redevelopment agencies. HDLI publishes legal periodicals, prepares annual reviews of important cases affecting housing agencies, publishes an index to HUD regulations, conducts CLE conferences and other educational activities, provides legal training and individualized counseling, sponsors an active list serve, and serves as a friend of the court, or amicus, in appropriate cases important to its members.”
Mr. Gilmore discussed controversies and conflicts that commissioners may encounter. Topics included the obligation to disclose attendees at conferences to local government and the media, whether conflicts of interest arise if the city attorney’s office is acting as the general counsel for the housing authority, to whom the general counsel should report, and more.
Mr. Gilmore specializes in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate, public finance, and commercial litigation. He serves as special counsel to housing authorities in Florida and other states relative to affordable housing development matters, which involve a multiplicity of legal issues unique to housing authorities as well as applicable to governmental agencies and/or corporate entities. He has developed a specialty in public housing law and has been involved in two extensive litigation matters appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court that established nationwide precedents. Further, Mr. Gilmore has been involved in the establishment and operation of instrumentalities and affiliates associated with development and fundraising for housing authorities. He can be reached at 813.314.4502 or via email at rgilmore@saxongilmore.com.
Rhonda Stringer and Suzanne DeCopain have extensive experience in representing numerous public housing authorities and other affordable housing providers in eviction matters, and developing, implementing, and updating public housing dwelling leases and related policies and procedures. Ms. Stringer can be reached at 813.314.4514 or via email at rstringer@saxongilmore.com and Ms. DeCopain can be reached at 813.314.4516 or via email at sdecopain@saxongilmore.com.