CAI's 27th Annual Community Association Law Seminar, a two-day forum exploring trends, practices and the increasingly complex issues in community association law, will be held January 27-28 at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

This year's seminar will feature a very special guest speaker: Karen J. Mathis, Esq., president-elect of the American Bar Association. Additionally, many of the nation's leading authorities on community association law will address today's most challenging legal issues from a perspective that balances the rights of both the association and individual homeowners.

Specific topics will include:

• Amending governing documents
• Disaster planning and recovery
• Security: Protecting members while preserving rights
• Employment issues
• Construction defect litigation
• Restoring the public perception of attorneys
• Litigation avoidance
• Avoiding manager liability
• Common mistakes that get associations sued
• Borrowers and lenders perspectives on loans
• Saving tax dollars through efficient document drafting

The program is designed to educate attorneys, professional managers, management company executives and others who need to understand the legal ramifications of issues confronting associations. Almost 300 professionals attended the 2005 Law Seminar, making the event an excellent networking opportunity.

"This seminar really is one of a kind," says David Mercer, Esq., Dean of CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). "The atmosphere is conducive to acquiring the knowledge and perspective we all need to address key issues facing community associations. The dynamic topics on the agenda, from construction defects to employment issues, are integral to the ever-changing realities faced by community association professionals."

Developed and sponsored by CCAL, the seminar also will include the Case Law Update and the Wayne Hyatt Lecture Series, the latter featuring a panel discussion focusing on "The Nevada Model" of construction defect litigation resolution. The interactive session will be led by judges Michael A. Cherry, Allan R. Earl and Nancy M. Saitta. The Nevada Construction Defect Complex Litigation Panel has the largest case load of construction defect cases in the nation.

Registration is $575 for CAI members and $675 for non-members. Those registering by December 22 will save $50 off these prices. There will also be a separate, half-day session on January 26 focusing on the nuances of best practices for membership meetings. The $75 half-day registration fee increases to $90 after December 22. For more information or to receive a registration packet, call CAI Direct at (888) 224-4321 (M-F, 9-6:30 ET), or visit www.caionline.org/events/lawsem/.

CAI established CCAL in 1993 not only to acknowledge member attorneys who distinguish themselves through contributions to the evolution or practice of community association law, but also to recognize those who commit themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct.

CAI and its more than 50 state, regional and local chapters represent condominium and homeowner associations, cooperatives and other planned communities. Its members include professional managers, management companies, community association volunteer leaders and the business professionals who provide products and services to association-governed communities.