In addition to legislative and regulatory advocacy, CAI's government & public affairs efforts also extend to the legal arena. Most of CAI's legal activities involve amicus curiae, or "friend of the court" briefs, that CAI files in federal or state cases that address issues of significant importance in community association law. CAI's Amicus Curiae Advisory Group evaluates proposals for briefs and makes recommendations to CAI's Board of Trustees Amicus Curiae Review Committee regarding the appropriate level of involvement in any given case.

Since 1993, the Community Associations Institute has recognized excellence in the practice of community association law through the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). Of the thousands of attorneys practicing community association law in the United States, fewer than 150 have been granted membership in the College. Fellows of the College distinguish themselves through contributions to the development of community association law. Their service is demonstrated by a commitment to educate and empower boards and residents of the more than 300,000 community associations across the country. CCAL attorneys commit themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct and work to create a community of experienced legal professionals to advance community association law for the betterment of the communities they serve.