U.S. District Judge Richard Berman's recent voiding of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension caused shockwaves across the NFL. Though the NFL has appealed the judicial ruling, Deflategate is, well, deflated and all but gone. There are, however, valuable lessons to be emphasized for homeowner associations. read more

The Washington Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (WSCAI) is hosting its annual Community Associations Day, or "CA Day" for short, on Saturday, September 26. read more

A couple of years ago Barker Martin anticipated that hoarding would be an issue for community associations to contend with under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act. Since then, the issue has continued to garner greater attention in its effect on the community at large. read more

In almost every walk of life, knowledge is something people seek to obtain. Francis Bacon famously, and succinctly, coined the phrase "knowledge is power." But in the topsy-turvy world of insurance, another famously succinct phrase may be more applicable, "ignorance is bliss." (Thomas Gray). read more

Alternative Dispute Resolution or "ADR" is traditionally thought of as an "alternative" to litigation: ways of resolving legal disputes that are generally considered to be simpler, quicker and less expensive. But with many states requiring some kind of ADR after a lawsuit has been filed as a way of attempting to settle cases before trial, ADR is quickly changing from "Alternative" Dispute Resolution to "Additive" Dispute Resolution. Instead of becoming an alternative to litigation, it has become an alternative to trial only. But this is not necessarily a bad thing, because while most people understand that they can file a lawsuit to assert their rights, few people understand whether they have a right to ADR methods or how to initiate them if they do. read more