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Epsten, APC Announces Retirement of Jon H. Epsten

San Diego, CA – September 9, 2025 – Epsten, APC, a leading Community Association law firm in Southern California announces the retirement of Jon H. Epsten, CCAL, effective October 31, 2025. Jon Epsten will remain with Epsten, APC in an Of Counsel capacity commencing November 1, 2025.

Jon Epsten is the founding Shareholder of Epsten, APC, with an exemplary legal career spanning over 42 years, rightfully establishing him as one of the most prominent community association lawyers in California and the country handling both transactional and litigation matters. Jon, along with his partner Doug Grinnell and other team members, handled some of the largest construction defect cases in San Diego, from inception to the completion of repairs. A native San Diegan, Jon grew up in Point Loma, graduated from the University of San Diego and obtained his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, graduating with scholastic merit. Prior to attending law school, Jon was a community association manager which provided him with a deep first-hand knowledge and understanding of the challenges encountered by Epsten clients and their community association managers.

Mr. Epsten received many accolades in his rewarding career which notably include being a founding member of the California Association of Community Managers (CACM), member of the CACM Professional Standards Committee, receiving the CACM Lifetime Achievement Award and being appointed to the CACM faculty. Jon is also a fellow of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). A former President of the San Diego and Greater Inland Empire Chapters of CAI, Jon has also been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by both CAI Chapters and has received the CAI Hall of Fame Award. He is a former co-chair of the Committee on Common Interests Subdivisions for the California State Bar, a former San Diego Superior Court Judge Pro Tem, a former Adjunct Professor at the California Western School of Law and has acted as a probation monitor for the State Bar. Additional honors include being named Super Lawyer by his peers, and Lawyer of the Year in San Diego Magazine.

“Jon’s contributions to the firm, the community association law industry, as well as the generations of community association attorneys he has mentored throughout his legal career are too many to mention. We are honored to have the opportunity to continue his legacy in the community association legal community,” said Kieran J. Purcell, Managing Shareholder.

“Having attended thousands of HOA Board Meetings throughout my career and working with countless professionals, it is now time for me to focus on spending time with my amazing wife, Mary, my children, and my five beautiful grandchildren,” said Jon.  “Looking at what the firm has become today, it is hard to believe that the firm was founded in the 1980’s with a starting capital contribution of $200.00.”

We thank Jon H. Epsten for his contributions to the firm, the California legal community and the community association industry.

 

About Epsten, APC:

Epsten, APC is proud to be one of the most experienced and qualified law firms providing legal expertise to community associations. With offices in San Diego, Palm Desert, and Temecula we serve associations throughout Southern California.

We provide association corporate counsel, CC&Rs interpretation and enforcement, rule enforcement, contract negotiation, insurance reviews, resolution of architectural disputes, as well as litigation of CC&R disputes and enforcement, breach of fiduciary duties, contract litigation, personal injury and property damage claims, construction defect, construction law, and fair housing.

Our community association attorneys play several roles in the success of our clients, serving as advisors, problem solvers, advocates, and educators. Our legal team is dedicated to the practice and study of the laws and regulations related to community associations in California. Several of our attorneys have been inducted into the prestigious College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL®).

 

Contact:

Carolyn D. Decker
Chief Operating Officer
[email protected]
858.527.0111

Jon H. Epsten, Esq., CCAL

Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026

The 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America® recognized Epsten, APC’s attorneys Jon H. Epsten, CCAL®, Shareholder and Founder of Epsten, APC, and attorney Mary M. Howell, CCAL®. Both attorneys were acknowledged for their contributions to the legal field in the practice of Community Association Law.

The Best Lawyers in America® awards are gathered through exhaustive peer-review surveys in which notable lawyers are evaluated and spotlighted for their legal excellence. In addition, this designation reflects the esteem earned by an attorney among their colleagues for their high standards of professionalism, proficiency, and unwavering ethical conduct.

Jon H. Epsten, Esq., CCAL
Shareholder

Mary M. Howell, Esq., CCAL
Of Counsel

Epsten, APC Announces Promotion of Three New Shareholders

San Diego, CA (July 1, 2025) – Epsten, APC is proud to announce the promotion of three outstanding senior associates to shareholders, recognizing their exceptional leadership, dedication to the firm’s mission, and meaningful contributions to the community association legal community. Each of these attorneys has demonstrated exemplary legal acumen and a strong commitment to client service.

The newly promoted shareholders are:

• Karyn A. Larko, Shareholder. Karyn leads the firm’s Governing Document Restatement Team and chairs our weekly Attorney Roundtable Meeting. Karyn’s legal practice focuses on serving as Community Association Counsel and Contract Counsel.

• Jillian M. Wright, Shareholder. Jill chairs Epsten’s Employee Engagement Committee. Jill’s legal practice focuses on serving as Community Association Counsel.

• Emily A. Long, Coachella Valley Office Managing Shareholder. Emily’s legal practice focuses on serving as Community Association Counsel

“Karyn, Jill, and Emily’s hard work and dedication have been a big part of our success over the past few years. This promotion acknowledges their past accomplishments and celebrates our confidence that they will continue to lead and make significant contributions in their new roles and responsibilities,” said Managing Shareholder Kieran J. Purcell, Esq., CCAL. Epsten, APC congratulates these accomplished attorneys on their well-deserved promotions and looks forward to their continued success in their new leadership roles.

Epsten, APC Welcomes Morad Fakhimi and Gabriel P. Huerta to their Legal Team

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce the addition of Of Counsel Morad Fakhimi and attorney Gabriel P. Huerta to the firm’s Civil Litigation & Appeals team. Both attorneys have a deep commitment to client-focused representation that aligns with the firm’s mission to deliver accessible, effective legal solutions to community associations.

  • Morad Fakhimi: Morad brings nearly two decades of legal experience in the public sector, with a focus on civil litigation, federal criminal defense, and appellate practice. Most recently, Morad served as board president for a local homeowners’ association for the last several years, where he developed an interest in community association law. At Epsten, APC, Morad will focus on representing community associations in litigation matters and will also serve as a legal resource for boards and managers navigating complex legal issues with an eye toward risk management and litigation avoidance.

“Morad’s depth of litigation experience, coupled with his firsthand knowledge of association governance, makes him a valuable addition to our firm and to the clients we serve,” said Managing Shareholder Kieran J. Purcell, Esq. CCAL.

  • Gabriel P. Huerta: Gabriel joins Epsten, APC with six years of experience as a personal injury paralegal and three years as a Certified Law Student. His background spans a wide range of case preparation and courtroom procedures, including written discovery, exhibit handling, trial preparation, oral arguments, and prove-up hearings. Gabriel takes pride in his approachable and empathetic style. He places a high value on communication and strives to make complex legal matters easier to understand, particularly for clients who may be experiencing legal proceedings for the first time.

“We are excited to welcome Gabriel and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make in serving our clients with dedication and professionalism,” concluded Kieran.

Morad and Gabriel share a client-first philosophy which aligns with the firm’s broader commitment to providing trusted legal guidance to Southern California’s community associations. Both are well-positioned to support the firm’s litigation clients with diligence and personalized attention.

Victoria R. Minor Joins Epsten, APC

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce the addition of Associate Attorney Victoria R. Minor to the firm’s San Diego office. Victoria is a member of the firm’s Transactional Department.

“We welcome Victoria, who initially began working with Epsten, APC as a Post Bar Law Clerk. We are eager to work with her and to continue to support her professional journey. Welcome to the team Victoria!,” said Kieran Purcell, Esq., CCAL, Managing Shareholder.

Victoria handles matters involving governing document compliance and interpretation, including drafting letters to homeowners regarding governing document violations, assisting Boards in drafting special and emergency assessments, attending board meetings, executive committee sessions, and hearings, and researching relevant statutes, codes, and case law to help community associations best manage their communities by the law.

“We look forward to supporting Victoria as she grows her career and collaborates with team members to provide exceptional service to our clients,” said Carolyn D. Decker, Chief Operating Officer.

As an attorney, Victoria is committed to providing the best experience for all clients and ensuring that their needs are met. Her goal is to help clients create healthy environments within their communities and assist associations by proactively and efficiently advising clients on any potential issues to hopefully avoid litigation. Victoria places a strong emphasis on guiding clients on best practices for managing their communities.

Kieran J. Purcell Selected as ‘Leader in the Law’ for 2024

Epsten, APC’s Managing Shareholder Kieran J.  Purcell, Esq., CCAL, has been awarded as a 2024 Leader in the Law by the San Diego Business Journal. This special report celebrates and honors influential leaders by acknowledging their contributions and commitment. Kieran’s work on behalf of community associations includes providing advice on all types of corporate matters including litigation, interpretation and enforcement of governing documents and reconstruction issues.

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).

 

Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025

The 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® recognized Epsten, APC’s attorneys Jon H. Epsten, CCAL®, Shareholder and Founder of Epsten, APC, and attorney Mary M. Howell, CCAL®. Both attorneys were acknowledged for their contributions to the legal field in the practice of Community Association Law.

 The Best Lawyers in America® awards are gathered through exhaustive peer-review surveys in which notable lawyers are evaluated and spotlighted for their legal excellence. In addition, this designation reflects the esteem earned by an attorney among their colleagues for their high standards of professionalism, proficiency, and unwavering ethical conduct.

Mary M. Howell. Esq., CCAL

Jon H. Epsten, Esq. CCAL

Joseph A. “Joe” Sammartino Promoted to Shareholder

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce that Joseph A. “Joe” Sammartino will become the firm’s newest Shareholder effective July 1, 2024. Joe also serves as the firm’s Litigation Department Co-Chair.

“We are proud to welcome Joe as a Shareholder of our firm. This well-deserved promotion results from his hard work, dedication and demonstrated leadership skills,” said Kieran Purcell, CCAL, Managing Shareholder. “At Epsten, we believe that promoting the next generation of legal talent is essential to our ability to continue to provide first-class legal services to our clients.”

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.

“I am honored to be promoted to Shareholder in one of California’s most experienced, well-regarded, and qualified community association law firms. Clients trust Epsten, a recognized industry leader, because we are uniquely equipped to handle the most complex of legal matters and the diverse variety of challenges Common Interest Developments face today,” said Joe.

Joe has handled all aspects of litigation from pre-litigation demands, negotiations, and settlements having served as lead counsel in over 350 depositions – mediation and settlement, arbitration, or trial and verdict in state and federal courts, including appeals.

Susan M. Hawks McClintic Included in ‘Women of Influence in Law’ for 2024

Epsten, APC Shareholder and Board Member, Susan M. Hawks McClintic, has been recognized as a 2024 Women of Influence in Law by the San Diego Business Journal (SDBJ). The Women of Influence in Law Award celebrates female trailblazers by highlighting their legal careers and accomplishments.

“Sue is an example of dedication and leadership, marked by more than 30 years of experience in community association law and legal education,” said Kieran J. Purcell, CCAL, Managing Shareholder.

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.

“I am grateful to my family and fellow shareholders, attorneys and staff at Epsten, APC who have supported me and helped me grow and develop throughout my career,” said Sue.

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).

 

Published by San Diego Business Journal, June 24, 2024, Page 28: https://images.sdbj.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SDBJ-Women-of-Influence-in-Law-2024-1.pdf

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].