Experience
Erik represents age-restricted communities, condominium and homeowners’ associations, bankruptcy creditors and businesses undergoing Chapter 11 reorganization.
As a bankruptcy attorney, Erik has worked with community associations and other creditors to:
• Ensure they receive the maximum amounts recoverable once an owner/debtor declares bankruptcy
• Receive payment for assessments accruing while the debtor is in bankruptcy.
He has been successful in having bankruptcy stays lifted so that associations could pursue prosecution of covenant and architectural violations that had been put on hold due to the bankruptcy process. Erik has also represented businesses through Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. In one case a developer client avoided the foreclosure of its lots and was successfully restructured so that it could continue to operate, pay off creditors, and continue as a viable concern.
In representing age-restricted communities, condominium and homeowners’ associations, Erik has handled:
• Turnover from declarant control;
• Amendment of governing documents;
• Covenant enforcement cases;
• Establishing and enforcing rules for use of common recreational facilities and contracting for use of recreational facilities by other organizations;
• Easement issues, particularly landscape and open space easements;
• Tree removal/protection issues;
• Claims of discrimination under the ADA and the Fair Housing Act;
• Opposing zoning matters on adjacent properties;
• Highly volatile Board and annual meetings;
Served as Zoning Administrator/Assistant Director Neighborhood Development Services (City of Suffolk, VA)
Served as Public Works Management Analyst and Program Coordinator Chesapeake Bay Areas (Norfolk, VA)
City Arborist (Chesapeake, VA); Certified Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
News & Publications
“When Your Contractor Shuts Its Doors” (April 2015 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“We are insured for that; Aren't we?” (March 2014 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“Collections and Bankruptcy Update” (September 2013 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“Regulation of Political Signs” (August 2012 RB Community Association Newsletter)
"Branching Out to Community Associations" (Spring 2012, Canopy Coverage Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture)
“When an Owner is in Bankruptcy” (July 2010 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“West Virginia Community Associations – The New Frontier” (February 2010 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“Navigating Architectural Review Guidelines” (October 2009 RB Community Association Newsletter)
“Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite” (February 2011 RB Community Association Newsletter)
"Should You Incorporate or Form a Limited Liability Company" (Fall 2011, Canopy Coverage Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture)
Speaker, NBI Seminar, Collections: Seeking and Collecting a Judgment (October 2012)
Speaker, Community Association Institute, Washington Metro Chapter 2011 Conference and Expo –Bankruptcy Basics, How Personal Bankruptcies affect Associations Collections and Covenant Enforcement
2010 Prince William Neighborhood Conference – The Ins and Outs of Violations Notices
November 2015, speaker, "Collection Law from Start to Finish," National Business Institute
Lecturer on “tree law,” hosted by Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, May, 2017
Speaking
2017 CAI Conference and Expo – Top Tips From the Pros
2016 CAI Conference and Expo – Contractor Relationships
2015 NBI Collection Law From Start to Finish – Bankruptcy and Ethics
2015 CAI Board Liability
Affiliations
Member, Community Associations Institute, Washington Metropolitan Chapter
Awards
Rising Star Award, Community Association Institute, Washington Metro Chapter (2013)
Rated “Preeminent” by Martindale, 2017