Event Information

Charleston only at Charleston Marriott (and via live webinar).

The Community Association Law Committee of the South Carolina Bar is proud to present its bi-annual continuing legal education program.  The program will touch on several of the areas that a practitioner representing homeowners associations and condominiums needs to know.  Whether HOAs / condos are a significant part of your own practice or you just want to know how to survive next time you have a case involving one, this program will be an excellent resource.  Each of the presenters has substantial experience working with HOAs and condos and also brings unique insight to their session.  The program will also feature a 1-hour session on ethics for anyone who might need those hours for the year. 

This program qualifies for 6.0 MCLE credit hours, including 1.0 LEPR credit hour. SC Supreme Court Commission on CLE Course #: 246839

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Session Descriptions

Introduction to HOAs / Condos (Shaun Cranford)
This introductory session will give a bird's eye view of the differences between types of community associations, types of governing documents typically found in an HOA / condo, the Homeowners Association Act, and will touch on key topics that attorneys advising HOA / condo boards of directors need to know about.

Rental Restrictions (Chris Gelwicks)
As investor companies and short-term rentals continue to stir the HOA pot, many communities are searching for ways to curtail the impacts of rentals in their neighborhoods.  This session will look at the reasons why rentals are a popular topic in HOAs and ways a community may be able to prevent or limit rental activities.

Legislative & Case Law Update (including the CTA) (Sean A. O'Connor / David C. Wilson)
This session will cover recent cases impacting HOAs and condos and recent bills and other laws that impact or might impact community associations.

Guardians of Governance: Legal Ethics for Association Lawyers (Thomas A. Pendarvis) 
Clarifying who Association counsel represents (only the Association and not the Board Members).
Lawyers serving on Association Boards are not representing the Board.
Protecting attorney-client privilege.
Potential conflicts of interest.
Potential fiduciary duties concerning handling certain types of funds on behalf of the Association.
Lawyers should communicate legal advice to the Association directly rather than through property management companies or board members.

Maintenance Obligations (Valerie G. Giovanoli)
Almost all community associations have responsibilities to maintain, repair, or replace.  Whether that is common area, portions of homeowner property, or possibly other items.  This session will look at the world of possible responsibility that associations have to maintain various parts of their communities, how things can go wrong, and how to set a course to meet one of a community association's most important duties.

Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations (Ben Karb)
With the increase of electric vehicles, it is only a matter of time before demand for charging options reaches a turning point.  For HOAs and condos, preparation is the key.  This session will look at the landscape of electric vehicle charging options in community associations and offer ideas on what to expect in the next few years.

Insurance (Elliot Engstrom)
With increasing premiums and massive market adjustments over the last few years, providing sufficient insurance without breaking the bank has become a monumental task in many communities.  This session will delve into recent insurance trends, what normal insurance obligations for a community association are, and options for navigating what can be a confusing and danger-filled landscape. 

Social Media in Community Associations (Ian C. Roberts / Steven E. Black)
In a modern world where everything is online, it should come as no surprise that community association members are too.  Sometimes that can be a good thing, but it often is not.  This session will examine how social media can be both a blessing and curse, how to avoid handle social media firestorms, and best practices for using-but not abusing-social media in the community association context.

Panel Discussion:  Questions and Answers from Practitioners (Shaun Cranford; Chris Gelwicks; Sean A. O'Connor; Valerie G. Giovanoli; Ben Karb; Elliot Engstrom; Steven E. Black)
This final session will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of our panel of experienced community association attorneys.