Best Lawyers in America for Community Association Law
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State
Michael Klemm is a partner in the real estate group of Hellmuth & Johnson. He is an MSBA Certified Real Property Law Specialist and has repeatedly been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business. Michael has represented and advised a wide range of clients, including cities, developers, builders, lenders, businesses, individuals, and associations. He has extensive experience in complex real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposi...
Joseph G. Carleton, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Community Association Law and Real Estate Law. Joseph G., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mark A. Kirsch is a principal and Chair of Cohen and Wolf's Real Estate Group and a member of the Commercial Lending and Common Interest Communities Groups. Resident in the firm's Bridgeport office, Mr. Kirsch practices in the area of commercial real estate, where he is involved in all aspects of acquisition, financing, leasing, conveyance and development. He has extensive experience representing banks and other financial institutions in commercial lending transactions, including asset-based ...
Na Lan is a Director at Damon Key and brings to the firm a unique combination of capabilities and experience in the areas of condominium and community association law, immigration, business and real property transactions, and dispute resolution for Mandarin-speaking investors and business owners. Born and raised in China, she is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Ms. Lan once again was selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for he...
A partner with Ball Janik LLP, Chris Walters has practiced at the firm for over 25 years. His areas of practice include real estate, construction, finance, sales and leasing, venture formation and representation, public contracting, and all aspects of project funding, development and management. He has assisted developers, investors, landlords, tenants, lenders, corporations, public agencies, contractors, design professionals, health organizations, resort and hospitality providers, and religi...
Mark J. Woodward is the Managing Partner of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., serving clients in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. He is double Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Mark has practiced law in Florida for more than 40 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. Mark’s practice focuses on Community Associati...
Mr. Estis concentrates his practices on complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on construction law, condominium and community association law, public entity law and alternative dispute resolution. His practice also encompasses real estate and business disputes and general equity matters. He serves as counsel to numerous developers, condominiums and cooperatives, New Jersey municipalities, and one of the major sewerage authorities in the state. He has served as an arbitrator an...
Shawn R. Willis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Community Association Law and Real Estate Law. Shawn R., who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shawn R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael C. Gartner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Community Association Law. Michael C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sam leads the Real Estate practice. His experience includes all aspects of commercial real estate and community association matters. He regularly assists commercial and residential developers in the acquisition, subdivision, development, zoning, and sale of real property, including the formation of complex, mixed-use planned communities, commercial and residential condominiums, and multi-tenant commercial projects. Additionally, Sam represents purchasers and lenders with regard to the evaluat...
Jeffrey E. Kaman is a partner with Kaman & Cusimano LLC and serves as Chair of the Administration Department and the firm’s Columbus Office. He is based in Columbus, Ohio, where his practice is focused on Community Association Law. Jeff earned his Juris Doctor from Cleveland Marshall College of Law after graduating with honors from Loyola University Chicago with degrees in Honors History and Political Science. Since joining Kaman & Cusimano, Jeff has worked extensively with cond...
Dan Miske earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University and his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. He practices with Kaman & Cusimano LLC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he works with clients on matters involving Commercial Litigation, Community Association Law, Litigation – Real Estate, and Real Estate Law. Dan has served on various boards, giving him practical insight into the operational and legal challenges faced by community associat...
Lenore Brakefield is a partner at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., where she focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation, including construction litigation matters. She also represents clients in local government law, code enforcement proceedings, community association law, real estate matters, and contract and transactional work, providing practical and results-oriented legal guidance across a broad range of issues. A Naples native, Lenore earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude ...
Justin's practice experience includes a wide variety of residential and commercial real estate matters, including the representation of sellers and buyers in the negotiation and preparation of purchase agreements, construction agreements, and loan agreements, and the representation of landlords and tenants in the negotiation and preparation of leases. He assists residential and commercial developers in connection with the acquisition, financing, development, subdivision, zoning, leasing, and ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.