The Community Associations Institute has named Joseph E. Adams Esq., Jonathan H. Fine Esq., Mark Imbriani Esq. and Janet L.S. Powers Esq. to the College of Community Association Lawyers. The College, established by CAI in 1993, recognizes member attorneys who have distinguished themselves through ethics, character, professionalism, service, and leadership contributing to the evolution or practice of community association law. All four were inducted during CAI's 45th National Conference in Arlington, Va., Oct. 29-31.
Joseph E. Adams Esq., a shareholder in the firm of Becker and Poliakoff P.A., Fort Myers and Naples, Fla., is the author of a weekly newspaper column, "Condo Life," published since 1995 in the Fort Myers News-Press. A frequent lecturer on community association legal issues, Adams has been a guest speaker at the University of Miami's Cluster Housing Seminars. Adams serves on the Florida Bar Subcommittee on Condominium and PUD Developments. He has been a delegate to CAI's Florida Legislative Alliance (FLA) since 1992 and served as FLA's chair for condominium law issues during the 1995 through 1998 legislative sessions.
Jonathan H. Fine Esq., barrister and solicitor with the firm of Fine & Deo, Toronto, is nationally recognized as a leading condominium litigator and counsel who has specialized in the field for 22 years. A former condominium law columnist and television commentator, Fine lectures on community association law frequently to audiences including the Canadian Bar Association. He is a founding director and past president of the Canadian Condominium Institute and was twice selected as one of Canada's top ten condominium lawyers by Condominium Magazine.
Mark Imbriani Esq., Attorney at Law, Somerville, N.J., is a frequent contributor to New Jersey Lawyer, Common Ground™, Community Association Law Reporter and other publications. A proponent of Alternative Dispute Resolution for community associations, Imbriani is certified as a mediator by Harvard Law School. Imbriani served on the CAI New Jersey Chapter Legislative Action Committee that advocated passage of the state's Municipal Services Act, which reimburses community associations for certain services such as now and ice removal, trash and recyclable collection and lighting. He has been actively involved in legislative efforts to pass the Open Meetings Act, fire-retardant-treated plywood defect legislation and the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act.
Janet L. S. Powers Esq., an attorney with the firm of Fiore, Walker, Racobs & Powers, Irvine, Calif., has practiced community association law exclusively since 1986. She is the editor-in-chief of Legal Perspective, a quarterly newsletter on community association law, and has published articles in Common Ground™, California Association of Community Managers' Law Journal and Condominium Management magazine, among others. Powers' extensive speaking experience includes five years as a California Association of Community Managers Law Faculty member; more than 10 years as a CAI conference, seminar and training session leader; and presentations to numerous management companies, community associations, realtor boards and bar associations.
Admittance to the College requires 10 years of legal practice concentrating on community association law; in-depth, scholarly writings (law review quality articles, amicus curiae briefs, legislation, legal treatises); and substantive teachings (accredited law school or non-legal audiences). College members may act as counsel for developers, lenders, community association homeowners or community associations.
The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate and represent the nation's 205,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and related professionals and service providers.