Experience
Pete’s practice has specialized for more than 30 years in the representation of condominium and homeowners’ associations throughout the Washington metro area. Pete and his team of associates and paralegals represent hundreds of community associations. Pete believes that personal, practical and direct advice are cornerstones to his client relationships (many of whom have been with him since they were first being turned over from developer control).
Pete has served as a managing member of the firm's Executive Committee and he now manages the firm’s Bethesda office while maintaining his practice in Tysons.
A typical client will see Pete acting as General Counsel to its Board of Directors. In that role, Pete advises the Board on the wide variety of issues that arise every day in multi- owner communities. Examples include:
- Helping revise Association governing documents
- Negotiating and drafting contracts for all types of contractor and subcontractor services, including property management companies, builders, security companies, landscapers and recreational facility managers
- Defending against employment disputes and housing discrimination claims
- Resolving construction claims against the developer
- Establishing a delinquency reduction plan
- Helping clients qualify for financing, FHA approval, etc.
- Ensuring effective interaction with local governments to approve site plans and amendments to site plans, special permits, zoning and special use exemptions
In one recent case, Pete helped a condominium client successfully resolve a legal dispute with a developer over the ownership rights to parking facilities.
Instruction/Teaching
- “Fair Housing is Everyone’s Business,” Consumer Affairs Branch of the Dept of Cable and Consumer Services of Fairfax Co, VA.
- “Understanding Master Condo Insurance; More Than Just the Basics,” Chesapeake Chapter, Community Association Institute.
- M204 Community Governance Senior Faculty Member;—two-day course for community managers seeking to earn CAI’s PCAM (Professional Community Association Manager) designation.
- ABC’s Course and Essentials of Community Leadership Course Instructor; - CAI
- M350 The Manager and the Law—Senior Faculty Member; two-day, advanced course for senior community managers for CAI
- “Common, Interested (or conflicted?) Directors” Washington Metropolitan Chapter--Spring Conference-
- “Annual Meeting; Start Early” Your Community, Your Call—Panelist (Fairfax County Public Television)
- “Terminate Safely” CAI Spring Conference –Employment Law-
- “Bankruptcy Reform-Impact on community associations” CAI Law Conference-
- “Predators Among Us-Criminality in Community Associations” CAI Spring Conference-
- “Electronic Communications in Community Associations: Notice, Voting and Administration” CAI Spring Conference-
- Fair Housing Overview Seminar (CAI Chesapeake Chapter)
- “Smart Collections” CAI Winter
News & Publications
“Making Sense of the Rules Enforcement Puzzle” (Quorum Magazine)
“Reasonable Accommodations and Reasonable Modifications for Persons with Disabilities” (RB Community Association Newsletter)
Co-Author, “The Fair Housing Act and Parking Accommodations” (Quorum Magazine)
Affiliations
Co-Chair, Community Association Group
Member/Former Chairperson -Maryland Legislative Action Committee (Md LAC) for Community Association’s Institute
Former Panel Chairperson, Montgomery County (MD) Common Ownership Commission
Awards
Peer-rated 'distinguished' by Martindale-Hubbell, 2011.