Eric F. Frizzell founded Buckalew Frizzell & Crevina with Robert Buckalew and Martin Crevina in 1988 and established the firm’s Community Association Law practice at that time. During the past three decades, he has managed the firm’s growth in that field, with BFC having represented more than 400 condominium associations, cooperatives and homeowners associations throughout New Jersey.

The cornerstones of Eric’s representation of his clients are his meticulous preparation, tireless work ethic, comprehensive legal research and analysis, genuine interest in each client and appreciation of their budgetary constraints, down to earth communication and practical problem solving approach.  

The main focus of Eric’s practice is his specialization in community association law.  Eric represents many BFC community association clients, including towering high-rises along the Hudson River, sprawling townhome communities, major active adult communities as large as 2000+ units, luxury boutique buildings, and garden apartment conversions.  He works closely with association Boards and management to resolve diverse legal issues: guiding Boards through the critical “Transition” process from developer control; negotiating with developers to settle claims for construction defects and financial deficiencies; interpreting master deeds, by-laws, proprietary leases, and declarations, and preparing amendments to these governing documents; supervising junior attorneys and paralegals in the collection process; running annual meetings that comply with New Jersey law and assure integrity in Board elections; advising Boards on issues of proper corporate governance (fiduciary duty issues, complying with open meeting requirements, avoiding conflicts of interest); interacting with engineers and accountants towards the successful outcome of Transition claims and major projects; covenants enforcement; responding to requests by residents for reasonable accommodations (e.g., for emotional therapy dogs); drafting Board resolutions; preparation of contracts; and related services.

Eric also has extensive experience in corporate law, appeals, litigation, and collections.  

Eric has written numerous articles on Community Association Law (see links below) for The Record newspaper and CAI-NJ’s monthly magazine, Community Trends, and has been quoted various times in The Cooperator newspaper.

An active member of the Community Associations Institute’s New Jersey Chapter, Eric has served on its Board of Directors and numerous committees. He is proud to have received the Chapter’s Author of the Year Award three times as well as its Member of the Year Award.

Education

  • Rutgers College (B.A., with Highest Honors, with Highest Distinction in English), Phi Beta Kappa
  • Rutgers School of Law – Newark (J.D.)
    • Rutgers Law Review, Member 

Publications

Articles

Articles published by Eric Frizzell in The Record newspaper, regarding condominium association and cooperative legal issues

Professional Affiliations

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Bergen County Bar Association
  • Community Associations Institute, New Jersey Chapter
    • Member, Board of Directors (2002—2007)
    • Vice President, Board of Directors (2004)
    • Author of the Year (2000, 1997, 1993)
    • Recipient of President’s Award (2003)
    • Member of the Year (2001)
    • Chairman, Editorial Committee (2001)
    • Vice-Chairman, Education Committee (1996)
    • Member, Legislative Action Committee (2009-12)

Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1981
  • New York, 1990
  • United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Published Decisions

  • Nolan v. Lee Ho, 120 N.J. 465, 577 A. 2d 142 (1990)
  • Nigro v. Planning Board of Saddle River, 122 N.J. 270, 584 A. 2d 1350 (1990)

Areas of Practice