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Meet Our Faculty
MEET OUR FACULTY TRACK ONE | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 | MANAGERS’ CONFERENCE
Charlotte Allen walked through the doors of Socher Insurance Agency in 2005 and since then has successfully aided in the acquiring and retention of insuring over 2,000 common interest developments. Her commitment remains focused on educating common interest developments and their community leaders in some of the most prevalent issues faced today. In 2018 she earned her designation as a Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist.
Tyler Berding, Esq. founding partner of Berding | Weil LLP, has represented the commercial and residential real estate industry since 1974. Mr. Berding has litigated numerous building product and construction failures. The firm has resolved over 900 complex construction-defect claims in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. Mr. Berding is a seasoned trial lawyer who has successfully litigated hundreds of construction defect cases.
William S. Erlanger, CPA is a partner with Levy, Erlanger & Company LLP and has been working with California HOAs for more than twenty-five years. Professionally, Bill has spoken at the California CPA Society’s CIRA conferences and was a member of their planning committee. Bill serves on the board of his commercial association. The subject of his MS-Tax thesis was federal and California income taxation of homeowner associations.
Roy Helsing is the founder and CEO of The Helsing Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in all aspects of California Common Interest Developments. He regularly provides expert testimony concerning reserve funding and adequacy of reserves. Mr. Helsing is a founding member of the Association of Professional Reserve Analysts, holds a designation of Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA), and is a past President of that organization.
David H. Levy, CPA, MBA, is the founder and a partner of Levy, Erlanger & Company LLP, CPAs. He received his BS and MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, in accounting. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, and has authored numerous articles and publications (including the Condominium Greenbook). He is also the co-author of the 1990 California Department of Real Estate’s Reserve Study Guidelines for Homeowner Association Budgets. Mr. Levy is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Executive Council of Homeowners (Echo). Kevin Mallet, Esq. and his partner Larry Russell founded Russell & Mallett, LLP in 2000. Kevin has represented clients in civil litigation since 1984 and has represented common interest developments exclusively for the last 20 years. Kevin has served as an arbitrator and a judge pro tem in Contra Costa County. Kevin served as a California Bar Special Master working with criminal courts in Solano, Contra Costa and Alameda Counties since the early 1990s. Kevin has successfully arbitrated in excess of three hundred cases.
Nathan McGuire, Esq. has extensive experience providing general counsel services for common interest developments, regularly assisting residential and commercial associations in the interpretation and enforcement of governing documents, amending and restating these governing documents, and counseling boards in keeping compliance with applicable laws. In addition to extensive experience as general counsel to common interest developments, Nathan has broad experience in real estate matters.
Alex Noland, Esq. is the founding shareholder of Noland Law PC and manages the firm. He has been practicing California community association law since 2008 and has been based in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2011. Alex regularly speaks at industry educational programs. In 2019 and 2020, Alex was selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only five percent of attorneys in Northern California receive this distinction.
Deon Stein, Esq. is the owner of The Law Offices of Deon R. Stein in Sacramento. He has represented residential and commercial community associations, other non-profit corporations, businesses, individuals and residential and commercial real estate developers throughout California since 1988. Mr. Stein advises boards of directors in the day-to-day operational aspects of common interest development and corporate law.
Mark Wleklinski, Esq. serves as general counsel to Community Associations for day to day activities, including Davis Stirling, interpreting governing documents, reviewing proposed contracts, and resolving owner disputes. Mark has focused on Community Associations since 1980, starting his own law firm in 1986. He has also qualified as an expert witness in community association lawsuits. Mark has been the Chair of the Legal Resource Panel for Echo since 2002. He was named Echo’s Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
Julie Adamen is the principal of Adamen Inc., a national consulting and employment firm specializing in the community management industry. She is a recognized and designated expert in community management and, association and management company operations. She is the author and publisher of online classes for community managers and is collaborating with Echo to provide a suite of on-demand courses for HOA Boards and engaged community members.
David F. Feingold, Esq. earned his law degree from University of California Hastings College of Law in 1986, one year after the enactment of the Davis-Stirling Act. Since then he has represented community associations, both as general and litigation counsel, throughout the greater Bay Area. He is a partner at Ragghianti Freitas LLP, based in Marin County. He has served as President of the Marin County Bar Association, and has been named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” for the last 15 years.
David H. Levy, CPA, MBA, is the founder and a partner of Levy, Erlanger & Company LLP, CPAs. He received his BS and MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, in accounting. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, and has authored numerous articles and publications (including the Condominium Greenbook). He is also the co-author of the 1990 California Department of Real Estate’s Reserve Study Guidelines for Homeowner Association Budgets. Mr. Levy is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Executive Council of Homeowners (Echo). Louis Sarmiento, Esq. is an Associate at Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP, where he advises homeowners associations and other mutual benefit corporations, businesses, and individuals on common interest development, real estate, corporate, and general business matters. Louis advises homeowners association boards and officers on matters including governance, development, and enforcement. Louis also counsels clients on general real estate transnational matters, including leasing, purchases, and sale.
Bill Scherer, Esq. applies over 30 years of hands-on experience in law to promote his clients’ goals for success. As the founder of Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP, Bill is trusted counsel who values building long-term relationships. Bill extensively advises clients in all areas of real estate with a unique focus in California common interest development matters. Bill has represented dozens of homeowners’ associations within the Bay Area.
MEET OUR FACULTY TRACK THREE | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 | LEGAL & TRENDING ISSUES
Regan Brown has been in the HOA industry for 26 years as an owner and CEO of The G.B. Group General Contractors. GBG has successfully provided reconstruction and repair services for all facets of the HOA and tenant occupied communities including high rise, apartments, the legal community and commercial associations.
Tom Connelly is a retired police Captain with extensive experience in organizational development and leadership. He has a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and is a graduate of the International Association of Police Chiefs Leadership Institute. He has been a board member for two community associations over the past eight years, the last four as board president. He is an active member of ECHO and is the owner of Connelly Consulting, providing safety, disaster planning and other consulting services to community associations.
Rolf Crocker is Chief Executive Officer and Principal of OMNI Community Management, LLC in Fair Oaks and currently serves on the board of ECHO. Over the last 29 years, Rolf has served in a variety of management capacities in the community association industry, including CEO of M&C Association Management Services (now part of Associa Northern California) and concurrently, National Vice President developing training and education for Associa.
J. Spencer Edgett, Esq. is a partner with Chapman & Intrieri, LLP. Since 2004 Mr. Edgett has primarily focused his practice on representing community associations both as general counsel and in successfully litigating and resolving numerous complex multi-million dollar construction defect claims. He also regularly advises and assists community association managers and board members on all aspects of management and operations including fiduciary responsibilities, drafting and revising governing documents, vendor contract negotiations, collection matters and enforcement issues.
John Gill, Esq. is a founding principal of Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti P.C., in Walnut Creek. Since 1992, John has represented homeowners associations and property owners in construction defect claims, business litigation, and general transactional and corporate matters. John currently serves on the Echo board of directors. Sandra L. Gottlieb, Esq. is a founding partner of the law firm of SwedelsonGottlieb, which was formed in 1987. Sandra began her practice of law in 1978 and began representing and providing legal counsel to community associations in the mid-eighties. As the firm’s Managing Partner, Sandra also leads the transactional team at SwedelsonGottlieb. Sandra’s experience and expertise in representing California community associations allows her to also counsel on the many different matters and issues that impact California homeowner associations.
Mark T. Guithues, Esq. is the founder of Community Legal Advisors, Inc. Community Legal Advisors Inc. represents in excess of 500 communities providing assessment collection and general counsel services. Mark was admitted into the practice of law in 1989. For more than 20 years, Mark has provided general counsel and civil litigation services to the firm’s community association clients. Mark has a variety of experience with HOA industry organizations and continues to be an active participant in the industry.
Bill Mann began his career in 1979, working in Real estate Development, then later Banking and eventually HOA reconstruction. Currently, Bill is the President at The GB Group, a full-service construction company offering construction and consulting services throughout Northern California and Nevada. His vast experience and education have deemed Bill Mann a recognized expert in Community Association Construction, finance and operations.
Stephen T. Brindle, Esq. represents and counsels community associations on matters ranging from operations, corporate governance and governing documents, enforcement, short term leasing, assessments, demand letters, dispute resolution and settlement agreements, and general transactional matters. Stephen also has experience with commercial leasing, tax issues as they relate to real estate transactions including Prop 13 and transfers of ownership, easements, and title matters.
J. Spencer Edgett is a partner with Chapman & Intrieri, LLP and since 2004 has primarily focused his practice on representing community associations both as general counsel and in successfully litigating and resolving numerous complex multi-million dollar construction defect claims. Mr. Edgett also regularly advises and assists community association managers and HOA board members on all aspects of management and operations. Mr. Edgett has published articles related to common interest development law and community associations and has presented at various industry related educational seminars and workshops.
David F. Feingold, Esq. earned his law degree from University of California Hastings College of Law in 1986, one year after the enactment of the Davis-Stirling Act. Since then he has represented community associations, both as general and litigation counsel, throughout the greater Bay Area. He is a partner at Ragghianti Freitas LLP, based in Marin County. He has served as President of the Marin County Bar Association, and has been named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” for the last 15 years.
John Gill, Esq. is a founding principal of Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti P.C., in Walnut Creek. Since 1992, John has represented homeowners associations and property owners in construction defect claims, business litigation, and general transactional and corporate matters. John currently serves on the Echo board of directors.
Mark T. Guithues, Esq. is the founder of Community Legal Advisors, Inc. Community Legal Advisors Inc. represents in excess of 500 communities providing assessment collection and general counsel services. Mark was admitted into the practice of law in 1989. For more than 20 years, Mark has provided general counsel and civil litigation services to the firm’s community association clients. Mark has a variety of experience with HOA industry organizations and continues to be an active participant in the industry.
Stephen Lightfoot, Esq. has over 25 years’ experience handling real estate matters. He has represented homeowners’ associations, property managers, residential and commercial landlord and business owners in cases. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Lightfoot handles real estate, commercial and construction transactional and corporate governance matters.
Andrea O’Toole, Esq. is a principal with Berding | Weil, LLP corporate and business law department. Ms. O’Toole advises community associations in all aspects of their operations and transactions including real property issues and statutory compliance with Davis-Stirling and other statutes applicable to common interest developments. Her work includes advising association clients on financial matters including assessment collection and funding of repair and reconstruction projects of all sizes; governing document interpretation, enforcement and amendment, including operating policies; contract negotiation, drafting, and enforcement; corporate compliance; dispute resolution; title and land use issues; director elections and recalls; and helping boards deal with fair housing issues, parking and towing matters, and implementation of new regulations such as “no smoking” laws.
Laurie S. Poole, Esq. has been a California community association attorney for over 27 years. She is a partner with Adams|Stirling, PLC, managing the San Diego, Temecula and Coachella Valley regional offices. Laurie has extensive experience representing common interest developments including master planned communities, large condominium projects, and senior communities. Most of her practice involves interpreting and amending governing documents, advising boards on compliance matters, addressing governance and insurance issues, and enforcement of governing documents.
Sharon G. Pratt, Esq. is the founder of the law firm of Pratt & Associates, APC. She has over 30 years of experience specializing in civil litigation, contract review and preparation, CC&R and Rules interpretation and enforcement, construction and architectural review, Fair Housing law, civil restraining orders, financial issues, elections and recalls, corporate governance, and Anti-SLAPP law. She also practices in other areas of real property law such as construction, easements, boundaries, nuisance, premises liability, and neighbor law.
Louis Sarmiento, Esq. is an Associate at Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP, where he advises homeowners associations and other mutual benefit corporations, businesses, and individuals on common interest development, real estate, corporate, and general business matters. Louis advises homeowners association boards and officers on matters including governance, development, and enforcement. Louis also counsels clients on general real estate transnational matters, including leasing, purchases, and sale.
Bill Scherer, Esq. applies over 30 years of hands-on experience in law to promote his clients’ goals for success. As the founder of Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP, Bill is trusted counsel who values building long-term relationships. Bill extensively advises clients in all areas of real estate with a unique focus in California common interest development matters. Bill has represented dozens of homeowners’ associations within the Bay Area.
Katrina E. Solomatina, Esq. is a real estate attorney with Hopkins & Carley, a premier Silicon Valley law firm. Katrina represents California homeowners’ associations and counsels members and boards on compliance with association, board, and member duties under the Davis Stirling Common Interest Development Act as well as other state and federal laws; analyzes fiduciary duty, free speech, discrimination, parking, and insurance issues; helps clients address construction needs; and handles CC&Rs and architectural enforcement matters, assists clients facing political challenges, financing large capital improvements, or other projects requiring membership or judicial approval on matters relating to day-to-day operations of your condominium association. Katrina also currently serves on the board of Echo. Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq. is the Managing Partner of Tinnelly Law Group. Prior to joining Tinnelly Law Group, Mr. Tinnelly worked in the litigation departments of midsize and multi-national corporate law firms. He is known for his exceptional writing, analytical and negotiation skills, and providing general counsel representation to many of the firm’s larger HOA clients throughout the state. Mr. Tinnelly also manages the firm’s overall operations. Mr. Tinnelly is very active within the community association industry and devotes a substantial amount of time to educating homeowners and industry professionals about the legal issues affecting California community associations. Mr. Tinnelly is the Executive Editor of the Tinnelly Law Group newsletter, the “Community Association Update,” publishes the firm’s blog, and is the webmaster for the firm’s online HOA law library found at FindHOALaw.com.
