Firm News – Epsten, APC

Epsten, APC Attorney Lindsay J. Anderson Named 2024 Super Lawyers Rising Star

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce that Attorney Lindsay J. Anderson has been selected to the 2024 Super Lawyers Rising Star list. The Rising Star recognition is awarded to top-performing attorneys with less than ten years of practice and 40 years of age or younger.

“We are proud of Lindsay’s hard work, dedication, and accomplishments as an up-and-coming attorney,” said Kieran J. Purcell, Managing Shareholder.

Super Lawyers is a rating system that recognizes high-performing lawyers from over 70 practice areas based on peer recognition and professional accomplishments.

Epsten, APC Relocates its Coachella Valley Office

Epsten, APC, a leading law firm specializing in providing legal solutions to community associations, is pleased to announce the relocation of its Coachella Valley office from Indian Wells to Palm Desert. The new office is located in One Paseo Plaza, 74-199 El Paseo Drive, West Building, Suite 201A, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The firm’s phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. For more information, email us at [email protected].

Susan M. Hawks McClintic New President-Elect of CAI – San Diego

Epsten, APC’s Shareholder and Board Member, Susan M. Hawks McClintic, is the new President-Elect for the Community Association Institute – San Diego Chapter (CAI-SD) 2024 Board of Directors. CAI-SD provides homeowner association professionals and leaders with the information, education, and support they need to ensure their communities can thrive. Sue follows the footsteps of other Epsten attorneys who led the CAI – San Diego Chapter in the past.

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.

Sue has over three decades of experience in community association law, developing a unique expertise in document interpretation, amendments, and restatements. She speaks regularly throughout the Community Association industry and is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL).

Joseph A. Sammartino Appointed Co-Chair of the Litigation Department

Epsten, APC’s Board of Directors, is pleased to announce that Joseph A. Sammartino has been appointed Co-Chair of the Litigation Department. Joe has litigated civil cases on behalf of and against major international companies and has defended clients in state and federal courts throughout California and the United States.

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.

Joe has served as outside general counsel for clients, providing services including: corporate structures, dispute avoidance and resolution, drafting and reviewing contracts, agreements and leases, nondisclosure agreements, partnership agreements, reseller and distributor agreements, professional services agreements, financing structures and deals, real estate leases and sales, easements, equipment sales and leases, severance agreements, employee handbooks, risk management policies and procedures, due diligence, and letters of intent for mergers and acquisitions.

Kieran J. Purcell Elected Managing Shareholder of Epsten, APC

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce the election of Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., CCAL, as the firm’s new Managing Shareholder, effective January 2024. Kieran served as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer for the past two years and has been a Shareholder with the firm since 2006. Kieran has been an integral part of Epsten, APC’s presence in the common interest development industry and a tireless advocate for community association as Chair of the California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC).

“Kieran’s outstanding leadership qualities, extensive experience, achievements, and dedication to advocating for community associations will prove instrumental in leading the firm,” said Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Epsten’s previous Managing Shareholder. Sue served as a Managing Shareholder in 2022 and 2023.

“I am honored to take on the role of Managing Shareholder and the challenge of keeping Epsten as a recognized leader in community association law,” said Kieran.

Kieran spent 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. He is a San Diego Chapter’s Legislative Support Committee (LSC) delegate.

Kieran is a four-time recipient of the San Diego Chapter’s President’s Award and also 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).

Litigation Attorney Hannah I. Hughes Joins Epsten, APC

Epsten, APC, welcomes attorney Hannah I. Hughes as a Litigation Associate in the San Diego office. Hannah focuses her practice on civil litigation.

“We are happy to welcome Hannah to Epsten. She is a great addition to our legal team,” said Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Managing Shareholder.

Hannah graduated Magna Cum Laude from the California Western School of Law. She went on to practice in Family Law where she honed her in-court skills.

Hannah decided to change to civil litigation to help more people, and with an understanding of Family Law, she takes a very client-centered approach to her cases. Before attending law school, Hannah worked at a Domestic Violence non-profit. There, she began to learn and utilize client-centered and trauma-based support mechanisms to help her clients.

Jon H. Epsten and Mary M. Howell Recognized in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce that Jon H. Epsten, CCAL^®, Shareholder and Founder of Epsten, APC, and attorney Mary M. Howell, CCAL^®, have been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America within the category of Community Association Law. Best Lawyers is a highly regarded peer-review publication, spotlighting the exemplars of legal excellence.

“We take pride in Jon and Mary’s remarkable accomplishments and lasting contributions to the Southern California Community Association industry”, said Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Managing Shareholder.”

This designation reflects the esteem earned by an attorney among its colleagues due to their high standards of professionalism, proficiency, and unwavering ethical conduct.

Epsten, APC Announces San Diego Office Relocation

Epsten, APC, a leading law firm specializing in providing legal solutions to community associations, is pleased to announce the relocation of its San Diego office from Scripps Ranch to the heart of Mission Valley. The new office is located in Centerside Mission Valley at 3111 Camino del Rio North, Suite 560, San Diego, CA 92108. The firm’s phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, our attorneys have been able to provide the highest level of legal representation during this transition,” said Susan M. Hawks McClintic, Managing Shareholder.

This strategic move is focused on enhancing the firm’s legal services and continuing to serve the needs of its clients. The relocation to Mission Valley is another milestone in the advancement and success of the firm.

Experienced Legal Marketing Manager Joins Epsten, APC

Epsten, APC, is pleased to announce the addition of Jenniffer ‘Jen’ Serrano as the firm’s new Senior Marketing Manager. Jen is a versatile marketing professional with a proven track record of leading integrated, multi-channel campaigns consisting of traditional and digital marketing ecosystems.

“We are happy to welcome Jen to the Epsten team,” said Carolyn D. Decker, Chief Operating Officer of the firm. “Her extensive marketing experience, coupled with her strategic thinking and collaborative leadership style will help us continue to deliver forward-thinking and effective marketing solutions to our clients.”

Before joining Epsten, APC, Jen was Marketing Communications Manager at Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC, one of Virginia’s largest law firms, where she championed a multifaceted role leading integrated campaigns and provided creative leverage to the firm’s brand voice. Jen also has creative agency experience where she managed a broad portfolio of brands, including industries such as education, healthcare, travel and tourism, among others.

Jen was awarded as an “Unsung Legal Heroes” Class of 2017 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, a recognition reserved for law firm employees who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty. She previously Chaired the Diversity & Inclusion Committee from the Public Relations Society of America, Hampton Roads Chapter, and was a Treasurer and VP for the Naval Special Warfare Family Readiness Group (FRG).

Epsten, APC Attorneys, Susan Hawks McClintic & Kieran Purcell Receive National Recognition as CCAL Fellows

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce that Susan (Sue) M. Hawks McClintic, Esq., Managing Shareholder and Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., Shareholder have been granted fellowship in the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). More than 4,000 lawyers practice community association law in the United States, yet fewer than 175 attorneys nationwide can distinguish themselves as CCAL fellows.

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