Home Firm News

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 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.

Read the Press Release

Governor Newsom Expands Drought Emergency Statewide

By Dea C. Franck, Esq.

On October 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency statewide authorizing the ban of wasteful water use and boosting conservation efforts.

California residential community associations should refer to Civil Code sections 4735(c) and (e) and 4736(a) which are triggered by the Governor declaring a state of emergency due to drought. Those sections provide as follows:

Civil Code §4735 (c):

  • “…an association, shall not impose a fine or assessment against an owner of a separate interest for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during any period… [during which] …The Governor has declared a state of emergency due to drought…”

Civil Code §4735 (e):

  • “An owner of a separate interest upon which water-efficient landscaping measures have been installed in response to a declaration of a state of emergency described in subdivision (c) shall not be required to reverse or remove the water-efficient landscaping measures upon the conclusion of the state of emergency.”

Civil Code §4736 (a):

  • “A provision of the governing documents shall be void and unenforceable if it requires pressure washing the exterior of a separate interest and any exclusive use common area appurtenant to the separate interest during a state or local government declared drought emergency.”

Please contact us or your association’s legal counsel should your community have any questions regarding compliance with the Civil Code during a statewide drought emergency.

Congratulations to New Epsten, APC Shareholder, Pejman D. Kharrazian

Epsten, APC is pleased to announce Pejman D. Kharrazian as the firm’s newest shareholder effective October 1, 2021.

“We are happy to promote from within our firm and Pejman’s dedication to our clients, hard work, and proven leadership have earned him the position of shareholder,” says Managing Shareholder Susan Hawks McClintic. “We look forward to Pejman’s continued service to our clients.”

“What an honor to become a shareholder at Epsten, APC alongside some of the best community association attorneys in the country” says Pejman. “I look forward to being an integral part of the firm’s future success and serving our clients’ needs.”

Since joining Epsten, APC in 2012, Pejman’s contributions to the firm and leadership exemplify the key attributes necessary to be a shareholder at Epsten, APC. Pejman has maintained and established numerous key relationships with clients and community association managers. He is well-known throughout the community association industry and frequently provides educational programs for community association board members and managers.

Pejman maintains active memberships in the San Diego Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the California Association of Community Managers (CACM). He has also proudly served as an adjunct law professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

2021 Legal Symposium Registration is Now Open

Registration is open for our 2021 Annual Legal Symposium. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s program will once again be a two-part webinar.

To register click here.

Part I – December 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
New legal updates affecting common interest developments
Opportunity to submit questions for discussion on 12/10

Part II will –December 10th
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hot Topics (including aging infrastructure, balcony inspections, ADUs/JADUs, and more)
and our ever-popular Attorney Q&A

Congratulations Joyce J. Kapsal, Esq.

After more than 17 years with our firm, it is bitter-sweet to announce the retirement of Senior Litigation Attorney, Joyce Kapsal. For those who know her and have worked with Joyce over the years, you know Joyce is a fun-loving yet tenacious attorney. She is a true professional that enjoys collaborating with her colleagues, working on challenging and unusual cases, and achieving positive results for her clients. Although Joyce will be sorely missed, we are excited for her to begin the next chapter in her life “traveling, traveling and more traveling” interspersed with other activities Joyce enjoys in between her travel adventures. Joyce’s official retirement will be on Friday, September 10th.

2021 Legislative Update Webinars

Missed our Annual Legal Symposium? Have questions about recent updates to legislation? Don’t worry!

Epsten, APC Senior Attorney, Pejman Kharrazian is hosting complimentary 1-hour accredited webinars for local community management offices to discuss recent changes to the law.

Now scheduling for Tuesdays and Fridays
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Contact us to schedule a webinar for your office and managers!