MEMBERSHIP
A. Application
A candidate for membership may apply for admission to CCAL by completing the written application with supporting materials and submitting the required fee.
B. Eligibility Criteria
1. An applicant must be licensed to practice law in good standing in the highest court of the state, province or jurisdiction in which the applicant practices.
2. An applicant must have a minimum of seven years legal practice with a demonstrated concentration in community association law, five years of which must immediately precede the application. In addition, community association law must constitute at least 50% of the applicant’s current practice.
3. An applicant is expected to have published writings related to community association law or related industry issues. Acceptable writings should reflect a broad legal or educational purpose affecting the bar or the community association industry and must be the original product of the applicant. A variety of writings and publications may satisfy this requirement, so long as they are deemed to be quality writings on a community association legal or industry issue. Examples of acceptable writings and publications include books, articles or other substantive works published in trade or industry journals, bar newsletters, newspapers, etc. Law review articles, amicus briefs and legal treatises may also satisfy this requirement. Writings associated with the general practice of community association law (i.e., briefs, motions, or memoranda of law prepared for a court) should not be submitted.
4. An applicant is expected to have taught numerous educational courses or sessions relating to community association law or the association industry. Acceptable teaching should reflect a broad legal or educational purpose affecting the bar or the community association industry. A variety of teachings may satisfy this requirement, so long as they are deemed to be substantive, quality presentations on a community association legal or industry issue. Examples of acceptable teachings include seminars, workshops, or presentations of a substantive nature to the Law Seminar, CAI Conference, or other trade or industry events, CLE programs, etc. Speeches to legal or non-legal audiences may be acceptable.
5. An applicant is expected to have participated in professional and industry organizations. In addition, applicants are encouraged to have participated in the legislative activities involving community association issues. A variety of activities may satisfy this requirement, so long as they demonstrate significant leadership and participation.
6. An applicant must be a member of CAI and have attended at least one Law Seminar in the last five years.
C. Nature and Conditions of Membership
CCAL consists of one class of membership. Any lawyer licensed to practice in the highest court of any state, province, or other jurisdiction in the country in which he or she lives or practices, and who has had substantial experience in community association law for a period of not less than seven years, and who meets the qualification requirements established from time-to-time by the Board of Governors, shall be eligible for election and renewal as a member of CCAL. Membership is conditioned upon becoming and remaining a member of CAI while a CCAL member. Members are expected to continue to be active in the practice of community association law and education.
D. Membership Term and Fees
Members are admitted after having met the eligibility and criteria requirements. Membership in CCAL shall continue from year to year subject to the members' compliance with the conditions of membership and payment of the annual membership fee.
Application and annual membership fees are determined by the CAI Board of Trustees. Annual membership fees are due upon receipt of invoice.
E. Meetings
1. Regular Meetings: CCAL will hold a meeting of the members as needed at a place to be determined by the Board of Governors.
2. Special Meetings: Special Meetings of the members during the time between Annual Law Seminars may be called by the Board of Governors, at such time and place as the Board may designate.
F. Membership Expulsion and Re-election
1. Any member disbarred or suspended from the practice of law pursuant to disciplinary proceedings of any licensing State Bar Association or of any court, shall immediately cease to be a member of CCAL and shall be ineligible for nomination and re-admittance to membership during the period of suspension or disbarment.
2. Any member who is more than six (6) months delinquent in the payment of annual membership fees shall be removed from membership, but shall be readmitted to membership upon payment of all delinquent membership fees.
3. Any member who fails to provide the annual disclosure within ninety (90) days of the due date in the form designated by the Board of Governors, including any disciplinary actions or proceedings initiated, pending, or completed during the reporting year, shall be removed from membership.