#ICYMI [In case you missed it]
Another Successful Epsten, APC Legal Symposia is in the books!
Authored by Jen Serrano, Sr. Marketing Manager
Photography and editing by Leah Eklof, Marketing Assistant
(From left to right) Pejman D. Kharrazian, Esq., Rhonda R. Goldblatt, Esq., Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., William S. Budd, Esq., Emily A. Long, Esq., and Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Esq., at the Coachella Valley Symposium.
It’s a wrap! We had another successful Symposia season and are thankful to everyone who attended. Here is a quick recap of what happened at our 2024 Symposia in case you couldn’t make it. Overall, 900+ board members, community managers, and industry partners attended our Coachella Valley and San Diego Symposia. We delivered timely, relevant, and up-to-date legal education impacting community associations.
Our Symposia fosters collaboration and new networking opportunities for our attendees. They can ask general legal-related questions to one of our attorneys, network with exhibitors, and build meaningful connections with fellow professionals. Epsten, APC, continues to be at the forefront of legal education for community associations, and its Symposia are some of the most attended community association events in Southern California. It is also important to highlight that our event offers 2 CEUs from the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) and 5 CEUs that complete the requirement for the CMCA certification offered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB).
Interview with Marisha Lou from Keystone Pacific: “I’ve been in management for 33 years, and I attend every year because it’s well worth it for any association manager or assistant manager or even a realtor that does leasing at community properties. It’s great information!“
(From left to right) Shareholder Pejman D. Kharrazian, Esq. and Senior Attorney Emily A. Long, Esq. presenting Case Law Update at the Coachella Valley event.
By popular demand, our content does a deep dive into the legislative updates based on the annual Bills signed by the Governor, as well as the key case law from the year relevant to community associations. Here are some quick links to the Statutes – New or Newly Amended. You may find these on our website under the Laws & Statutes tab / Civil Codes:
(Left) Shareholder and new CAI-San Diego President Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Esq. and (right) Mike Cruz, Administrative Assistant, holding the famous and acclaimed Epsten, APC 2025 Community Association Law Resource Book
In addition, Kieran J. Purcell, Esq. spoke about updates on The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). With all the back-and-forth on the CTA, board members and managers have really had to stay up to date with the most recent updates. Our firm has been closely tracking the CTA, and you can click here to sign up for our CTA Legal Alerts.
Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., Managing Shareholder of Epsten, APC, speaking to over 600 attendees at our San Diego Symposium.
Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., and Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Esq., also spoke on the 2024 Legislative Update. They discussed Bill AB 2114, which allows civil engineers to be added to the qualified list of inspectors who conduct mandatory inspections of balconies. Both attorneys also spoke on matters regarding elections, SB 900 on repairs and maintenance, and other relevant updates in the community association law.
Interview with Dominique Albrecht, Chief Administrative Officer for Rancho Santa Fe Association: “Today we loved the sessions, such great information on new case law, the latest and greatest on what’s happening on the legislative front and then just really awesome breakout sessions where we could hear from others in the industry about what their facing and get great advice as well.”
BREAK IT DOWN > Legal Discussions
Content tailored to Community Managers and Board Members
You may find your next brilliant idea for your community association at one of our Legal Discussions. Attendees get to share thoughts and concerns directly with our attorneys on matters such as insurance, senior communities and fair housing, amending governing documents, litigation, and elections & recalls (Election Process Timeline and Election by Acclamation Process Timeline), and meetings.
Industry partners harness the power of new products, services and expertise for community associations
Symposia exhibitors have the unique opportunity to showcase their company’s products, services, and expertise to a targeted audience of community leaders and industry professionals. This event allows for valuable networking, strengthening connections, and fostering new partnerships and business opportunities. Our diversified exhibitors are ahead of the game providing attendees great giveaways and special offers to Symposia attendees. This year, vendor categories included:
Accounting, Architect, Backflow Services, Bank, Construction Managements, Door/Gate, FHA, Foundation Repair, Furniture, General Contractor, Inspector of Elections, Insurance, Landscape, Leak Detection, Maintenance, Meter, Painting, Pest Control, Pool, Refuse, Reserve Study, Restoration, Roofing, Security, Solar, Towing, Tree Care. We are always in search of new types of vendors to join our repertoire.
If you are looking to become a sponsor for next year, click here to connect with us.
*Disclaimer: due to event capacity and fairness to our clients, Epsten, APC is unable to accept management companies or other community association law firms to exhibit at our event.
A Big THANK YOU!
A huge shout out to our beverage partner CM2 & Associates for providing beverages for our San Diego Symposium.
San Diego Beverage sponsor, Annie Wyland from CM2, Inc. networking with prospects.
This event is also possible thanks to our Premier and Standard sponsors at both San Diego and Coachella Valley, we thank you! Our 2024 Symposia season could not have happened without you. To find out more about our exhibitors and the services they offer, check out the links below.
| Coachella Valley | San Diego |
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(STANDARD)
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(PREMIER)
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To Our Staff and Attorneys…
This wouldn’t be a proper recap without thanking our staff and attorneys who helped put on the symposia events. Here are just some faces behind the scenes working hard.
>> Click here for a Coachella Valley recap video
>> Click here for San Diego recap video
>> Click here for a behind the scenes video
Looking Ahead: 2025 San Diego & Coachella Valley
Participants left with new knowledge, lasting friendships and connections, and a renewed sense of energy to tackle problems in 2025. Nevertheless, a new Symposium season will be arriving soon. If you are looking for more information for next year’s symposia, click here to be updated when we release dates.
Speakers at San Diego Symposium from left to right; Jillian M. Wright, Esq., Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Esq., Pejman D. Kharrazian, Esq., Jon H. Epsten, Esq., Rhonda R. Goldblatt, Esq., Jacquelyn E. Quinn, Esq., and Joseph A. Sammartino, Esq.
Kieran served three terms on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI), where he served as its President, co-chaired the National Seminar Committee, and co-chaired the Golf & Tennis Charity Classic. Kieran is a former delegate for the San Diego Chapter’s Legislative Support Committee (LSC), a former Legislative Co-Chair for the California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC), and a former CLAC Chair. He currently serves as an Emeritus Delegate for CLAC. Kieran is a four-time recipient of the San Diego Chapter’s President’s Award, and a recipient of the Samuel L. Dolnick Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, he was recognized with the San Diego Chapter’s Legacy Award. He is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).
Joe has extensive experience litigating civil cases on behalf of and against major international companies. He has defended the rights of individuals in state and federal courts throughout California and around the United States.
Sue has been an active member of the San Diego chapter of the Community Associations Institute “CAI” for the past 30 years, serving as Treasurer, member and co-chair of the Education Committee, and now President-Elect of the 2024 Board of Directors. She has also served CAI nationally on the Board of Directors for the CAI Foundation for Community Association Research, is a member of the CAI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and a Task Force assisting in the development and presentation of an M400 course, and is a past member of the Case Law Review Committee. Sue also regularly participates with HOALeader.com to provide national educational webinars and articles for common interest development homeowners.
Sue has been an active Board Member for CAI-SD for the past 30 years, serving as Treasurer and member of the Education Committee. She has also served CAI National on the Board of Directors for the CAI Foundation for Community Association Research, is a member of the CAI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, including working on a committee to develop an M400 course, and is a past member of the CAI Case Law Review Committee.
Joe has significant experience in litigation involving real estate disputes, contract disputes, business disputes, partnership disputes, trade secret disputes, real estate matters, construction, construction defect, product liability, professional liability, insurance bad faith, and employment matters. Joe has handled all aspects of litigation from pre-litigation demands, negotiations, and settlements through the filing of complaints, discovery, comprehensive motion practice, depositions – having served as lead counsel in over 350 depositions – mediation and settlement, arbitration, or trial and verdict in state and federal courts, including appeals.