Community Association Law

Steve Sowell has represented condominium, cooperative, and homeowner associations since beginning to practice law in 1985. His practice is primarily limited to representing community associations and their individual members throughout southeastern Michigan, not developers or management companies.

A member of the Community Associations Institute, Steve lectured at CAI's 44 annual conference in Austin, Texas, in April 1998. He has spoken at the each of the CAI-Michigan Annual Conferences and Trade Shows, 1999-2004. He has published several articles in multiple publications dealing with condominium issues. He testified before the National Bankruptcy Review Commission in 1999, suggesting proposed amendments to the federal Bankruptcy Code which were subsequently codified as 11 USC Section 524(a)(17). Steve Sowell served on the State Bar of Michigan committee which proposed the first substantial overhaul of the Michigan Condominium Act in 15 years. The revisions proposed by this committee were passed by the Michigan Legislature in the 2000 session and again in the 2003 session.

Resources for the Association

• Steve Sowell has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) which answers the condominium questions he is most frequently asked. Note: this is a work in process.
• Steve Sowell has prepared a checklist of things the association should do when one of its members files bankruptcy. This chart outlines the steps that an association ought to take to protect its interests in the member's bankruptcy case. More general information regarding the bankruptcy process can be found here.
• Parking is a problem for many condominium associations. Steve wrote a primer on parking control.
• Collections are one of the biggest issues for community associations. Having a sound collection policy in place before delinquencies begin is important. Associations also need to be prepared to deal with a member's bankruptcy.
• Existing clients can download a Request for Lien form in either Microsoft Word©, Rich Text, or PDF© formats.
• Steve is frequently asked to recommend a management company, an accountant, or an insurance agent which "specializes" in community associations. While he does not recommend any specific company (the unique needs of your association dictate the type of company you need), he does maintain a list of companies. Not on the list? Send Steve an e-mail.
• A copy of the Michigan Condominium Act is available in both Microsoft Word© and PDF© formats. NOTE: these files should not be relied upon as definitive law; see your attorney or the official Michigan Compiled Laws.