Eric F. Frizzell

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

• “The Liability Game”, Habitat Magazine, November 2013
• “Super Storm Sandy: Review the Insurance Provisions in your Association’s Governing Documents Regarding Allocation of Insurance Proceeds and Required Means of Repair”, Community Trends, January 2013
• “Transition: Master Deed and By-Law Provisions that Every Condominium Association Trustee Should Know”, Community Trends, July 2000
• “The Transition Settlement Agreement and Release”, Community Trends, November 2000
• “Condominium Association Annual Meetings And Elections: Complying With The Non-Profit Corporation Act”, Community Trends, October 1997
• “Condominium Collection Litigation: An Overview”, Community Trends, October 1993
• “Legal Limitations On The Power Of A Cooperative’s Board Of Directors To Reject Sublease Applications”, Community Trends, November 1996
• “Functional Literacy Testing and the Denial of High School Diplomas in a Post-Desegregation Setting: Debra P. v. Turlington,” 33 Rutgers Law Review 564, 1981

Articles

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

• Open Board Meetings
• Know Your Association’s Governing Documents
• Unit Alterations and Board Approval
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Transition – A critical period in the life of a condominium association
• Satellite Antenna Regulations
• Understanding the collection process
• Complying with the Predatory Towing Prevention Act
• Dealing with Water Damage to a Unit
• The Municipal Services Act
• Limitations on condominium and cooperative fees
• A condominium association’s “duty to warn” unit owners
• Condominium association annual meetings (Part I)
• Condominium association annual meetings (Part II)
• Limits on a condominium association’s right of first refusal
• Remedying construction defects by pursuing a developer’s performance bonds

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)