A LIFE WELL-LIVED - MUSINGS ON MY RETIREMENT

After law school, I answered a blind ad for a job and became an accidental community association lawyer.? Turns out that serendipity was on my side and I inadvertently stumbled into an area of the Law uniquely suited to my personality and strengths.? I knew I could learn the black letter and case law, but my mentor also taught me the business of the practice, relationship building and communication.? Little did I know where the road would lead me.

It is 40 years later, and I am officially retired as of close of business February 29, 2024.? Over the years, I discovered you cannot dabble in Community Association Law.? It is a complex practice, with constantly changing laws and judicial interpretations, and above all it is a “people” practice with maximum client contact, and all the drama and angst that entails.? This is not a “by the seat of your pants” or “off the top of your head” practice.? You have to be all in.

During my first decade as a CA lawyer, there were relatively few women the practice, no diversity among lawyers, and the clients asked where the lawyer was when I came into the meeting.? There were no computers, no cell phones, no email, no internet, and no GPS.? I wore out many paper maps, finding my way around.? And there were pterodactyls flying over every State Legislature.

During the second decade, you could count on one bad meeting a year, and maybe having an armed law enforcement officer at the back of the room at a meeting.

When the third decade rolled around, unpleasant meetings, unruly attendees, and armed law enforcement became the norm.? That culminated in a meeting during which the police had to call for backup, and more than one meeting at which a fist fight broke out.

Now, we are in the fourth decade, and dealing with the erosion of civility, murders at the condominium, and ever new issues and challenges arising in the communities we serve.

During my 40 years of practice, I represented hundreds of community associations, including condominiums, homeowner associations, mobile home parks, timeshares, dockominiums and office park condominiums, and other combinations and permutations of association configurations.? I presided over meetings in nudist communities where I learned the trick to sitting in your golf cart after it was parked in the sun; and that despite what my mother told me, it is possible to go wrong with a simple strand of pearls.? I also learned there is something scarier than naked tennis.

I have also found that you can’t practice in a vacuum. Participating in legislative action performs a critically important function and represents the good and welfare of all of our clients and ourselves as lawyers in the field.? Follow and pay attention to the development of the laws in your jurisdictions.? Attend the industry seminars and conferences and stay on top of legislative and case law developments.?

Practice law by not only pointing out what the clients can’t do, but also by providing alternatives for what they can do.? Be a creative problem solver. Give back to the industry by teaching and writing - an educated consumer will make your life a great deal easier.

This is an unusually collegial group of practitioners, with hundreds of collective years of experience and depth of knowledge they are very willing to share. Less experienced lawyers, find yourself a mentor, either in your own firm or among the experienced lawyers in your marketplace or here in the State or in other jurisdictions.? They are an amazing resource.?

Experienced lawyers, be the mentors.? Truly, if you are not giving back and working to keep the quality of community association law practitioners at a high level by mentoring, you leave no legacy.

And, please have a life.? Being a lawyer is not who you are, it is what you do.? Value and nurture your relationships and outside interests. ? They are crucial to your physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being. Engage with your children.? You will learn a lot.

Along the way, I have had the chance to write, teach and speak locally, nationally and internationally.? I met attorneys from all over the world and found that the issues, challenges and social dynamics are pretty much the same every where.? And, over the years, I have made a lot of friends locally, nationally and internationally.? It has been a wild ride, sometimes aggravating, sometimes frustrating and sometimes even a little frightening.? Yet, looking back it is clear to me that I have had a wonderful career, experienced a great deal of joy, and know that I made a difference in people’s lives along the way. I have very much enjoyed my 40 years in this practice.

I see many women attorneys and diversity in the practice, and an influx of attorneys who intentionally choose to work with the community associations, and I have hope for the future.

As I leave the practice, I am counting on you all to continue to learn, and continue to find ways to combat the willful ignorance and the “don’t confuse me with the facts” attitude that is all around us.

Now, I am on to the next chapter in my life.? It has been an honor to be part of this industry and to meet you all.? And I am ready for my next adventures.

Be well, and stay safe out there. Peace out.