LAC(k)-ing Nothing

How one woman and her team are shaping florida legislative policy

I actually always loved the Schoolhouse Rock video of “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” There was just something about it that made me want to become part of the democratic process.

Then, around high school I started wanting to make changes in society or politics to help people and their lives. Of course, those dreamy goals evolve and develop as you grow older and as you understand the complexity of the legislative process. While a prosecutor for the Division of Real Estate I was given the opportunity to assist with some changes to the Florida Administrative Code. I enjoyed being able to edit, review and revise the Code.

Then, as an attorney I started working on appeals early in my career. In my appellate practice I was able to establish case law for community associations, in Lake Forest Master Community Association, Inc. v. Orlando Lake Forest Joint Venture, 10 So. 3d 1187 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009); Maronda Homes, Inc. of Fla. v. Lakeview Reserve Homeowners Ass’n, Inc, 127 So. 3d 1258 (Fla. 2013); and Meritage Homes of Fla, Inc. v. Lake Roberts Landing Homeowners, 190 So. 3d 651 (Fla. 5th DCA 2016), among others.

ROBYN SEVERS Shareholder

Board Certified Specialist, Condominium and Planned Development Law

Becker

Robyn is also the 2023 Chair of the Florida Legislative Alliance, which just won the 2022 LAC of the Year Award in Dallas,TX at the CAI National Conference in May.

My mentor and former boss, Robert Taylor, got me interested in CAI-FLA while I was working for him. Once he decided to step away from the Committee, he suggested that I apply to be a delegate. And I am so thankful that I did. CAI-FLA is made up of so many wonderful people all over Florida in different areas of interest and involvement. We may not always agree but we work as a team to advocate for what is best for community associations.

It is this team effort, with assistance from our lobbyist Travis Moore, our Administrator Emily Jennings, our G & PA Staff Liaison Dawn Bauman, and all delegates, including my co-delegate Pilar Dixon, that allows us to assist in shaping Florida community association law. It is truly a pleasure to be able to work with such intelligent, thoughtful, and hardworking individuals that make up CAI-FLA.