Best Lawyers in America for Community Association Law
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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 ...
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...
Chad Johnson is a founding partner of Hellmuth & Johnson, and serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. He founded Hellmuth & Johnson after just two years of practice, growing the firm on the strength of its loyal clients and experienced attorneys to become one of the 20 largest law firms in Minnesota. Chad represents a broad range of businesses, corporations, limited liability entities and individuals in pursuit of their business, real estate and transaction goals. He is admitted ...
Chris concentrates her real estate practice on condominiums, planned real estate developments, and community associations. She is a primary resource for assisting residential and commercial developers with compliance matters related to New Jersey’s Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA). Chris handles all aspects of project registration with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on behalf of residential and commercial developers and sponsors. Her wo...
Phaedra brings her creative and strategic acumen to individuals and a broad range of entities, including condominium, townhouse, cooperative, and other community associations. She provides legal advice and representation on a wide variety of issues affecting associations. Phaedra also represents property owners and others in the real estate sector on issues. Whether working with individuals or commercial entities in real estate, community association law, or collections, creditor’s righ...
Jennifer V. Ruiz is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office and practices in the areas of General Civil Litigation, Employment and Labor, Condominium and Homeowners’ Association, Civil Rights, Directors and Officers Liability, and Professional Malpractice for the firm. She practices in state and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. Mrs. Ruiz Co-Chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Chairs the Committee’s affinity group: CSK WIN – Wom...
Charles M. Katz-Leavy is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Community Association Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Charles M. practices law in Portland, Maine Best Lawyers has recognized Charles M. Katz-Leavy since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Charles M. Katz-Leavy is held by other lawyers.
Steve is a leader of the firm’s redevelopment and land use practice. He guides clients, including developers, property owners and municipalities, through the intricate regulatory landscape of New Jersey’s redevelopment process. From initial project concept to final construction, he offers the strategic oversight necessary to obtain project approvals and maximize project viability across the state’s real estate sector, providing support on mixed use, residential, industrial, ...
William D. McCracken is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Community Association Law. William D. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized William D. McCracken since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which William D. McCracken is held by other lawyers.
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...
Jay Cusimano is a managing partner with Kaman & Cusimano LLC in Cleveland, Ohio, where his practice focuses on Community Association Law and Real Estate Law. In 2005, Jay became the second attorney from Ohio to be accepted into the national College of Community Association Lawyers. In 2013, he was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 20th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Real Estate Law and Community Association Law, and he has received this peer recognition ea...
Charles D. (Chuck) Brecker principally represents residential and commercial real estate builders and developers, as well as investors and joint venturers, in acquiring, financing, developing, constructing, selling and leasing residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects, many of which consist of vast acreage and vertical mixed-use towers. In addition, Chuck has extensive experience in the creation of condominium and homeowners' communities, hotel and office condominiums, and has handled r...
With a national reputation only exceeded by his regional stature, Steven L. Sugarman is widely considered the premier practitioner of community association law in Pennsylvania. Steve was the founding principal of the esteemed community association law firm, Steven L. Sugarman & Associates, and its merger with Gawthrop Greenwood in August 2023 created one of the largest law firms supporting homeowners associations (HOAs), planned communities, condominium associations and cooperatives in Pe...
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.
