Rochester Condominium Law Lawyer

Name: Condominium Association Law
Brand: Schneider Buchel LLP
Rating: 4.4 (36 reviews)

With decades of experience, we help condominium boards resolve disputes, enforce bylaws, and manage legal obligations effectively. Our proactive legal approach protects your board, your residents, and the long-term integrity of your property.

Rochester’s Resource for Experienced Condo Law Attorneys

Our condo association lawyers in Rochester deliver practical, efficient guidance to condo boards in the city. Schneider Buchel provides legal support for compliance, collections, disputes, and accommodations—backed by years of hands-on experience with the legal issues unique to upstate condominium communities.

Non-Payment of the Monthly Common Charges and Assessments

The timely collection of common charges and assessments is essential to maintaining a healthy condominium budget. When owners fall behind, legal support becomes a necessary tool for financial enforcement.

Protecting the Condominium’s Right to Recovery

Condominium Boards are allowed to file liens and foreclose on units to collect unpaid assessments. However, those rights come with procedural requirements that must be followed precisely. Our team focuses exclusively on helping Boards execute those processes correctly—and completely. In addition to recovering the base assessment, we help clients secure attorney’s fees, interest, and late penalties when permitted.

We also provide strategic advice on foreclosure outcomes, including options to rent, sell, or negotiate with first-position lenders. We emphasize speed and precision, knowing that delays in enforcement reduce your likelihood of recovery. Our goal is to maximize your return while minimizing disruption and risk. With Schneider Buchel, you gain a knowledgeable partner committed to recovering all that is owed—while positioning your association for future stability.

Reasonable Accommodations and/or Modification Requests

Condominium Boards are often faced with requests for changes or exceptions to their rules—such as allowing emotional support animals or installing accessibility features. These are not merely administrative decisions; they are legal obligations governed by anti-discrimination statutes.

Avoiding Risk Through Informed Decisions

Our firm is highly skilled in handling reasonable accommodation requests. We provide Boards with detailed assessments of each request’s legitimacy and offer legal support for decisions that reduce liability. Marc H. Schneider, Esq., brings particular depth to this area through frequent lectures and ongoing education.

We help Boards respond clearly, respectfully, and lawfully—ensuring the association’s legal obligations are met without compromising governance standards.

From Response to Representation

We don’t wait for a complaint to land. Our attorneys get involved the moment a request is received, helping Boards craft legally sound replies and, where necessary, negotiate alternatives.

Should a case proceed to litigation or a housing authority investigation, our legal team is fully prepared to defend the Board’s actions. We’ve successfully resolved and defended many such claims with discretion and efficiency.

Application of the Business Judgment Rule and Board Decision-Making

We counsel community association boards on applying the business judgment rule to real-world scenarios. Schneider Buchel helps ensure that board decisions are reasoned, lawful, and defensible—supporting directors in fulfilling their obligations and shielding them from liability when their actions are challenged by members or regulatory bodies.

Construction Defect Litigation

Construction defects are an unfortunate but frequent concern when homeowners take over control from a developer-appointed board. Timely intervention is critical to avoid escalating damage and legal complications.

Strategic Legal Counsel From Start to Finish

Our litigation team has decades of experience handling defect-related claims. We guide boards through hiring engineers, conducting investigations, submitting warranty claims, and navigating the technicalities of offering plan obligations.

These cases are highly procedural. Small missteps—such as failing to meet notice requirements—can jeopardize your association’s ability to recover. That’s why we manage the full process, including litigation and appeals, with precision and responsiveness.

Enforcing Contracts and Recovering Losses

We also pursue claims against contractors hired by the association. When workmanship fails to meet agreed-upon standards or a contractor walks away from the job, we provide practical legal solutions.

We aim for resolution without litigation whenever possible, but never at the expense of your association’s rights. Our lawyers know what’s at stake—and how to secure fair, timely results. Schneider Buchel is a trusted advocate for community associations facing construction challenges of all kinds.

Client Testimonials What Our Clients Have To Say

Highly skilled at navigating the complex web of laws that apply only to associations.

John, Board Member

Your diligence and commitment to our community has been the catalyst to solving our delinquencies.

Ralph, Board President

Your professionalism and strong determination was the leading factor in winning all of our litigations.

Steve, Board President

We've had the pleasure of working with this exceptional law firm over 25 years and couldn't be more impressed.

Paul, Property Manager

Extremely competent and an exceptional ability to communicate effectively with Board Members.

Alexis, Board Member

Deep expertise in HOA law and strong commitment to protecting the best interests of our community.

Billy, HOA Association

Results-driven and the best choice we ever made. Highly recommended to anyone seeking the best legal counsel.

Steven, Co-Op Association

I am a property manager and have used Schneider Buchel for many years. They are extremely experienced in coop/condo law. Pete Weintraub recently advised a Coop Board on adopting a fine policy. He helped the Board develop the policy and gave them expert guidance on the process to get it approved by the shareholders. I highly recommend both the firm and Pete.

Richard Rush

Top Notch law firm. We entrusted Schneider Buchel LLP over the years as they provide us with their expertise on Co-Op Law. Justin Buchel has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to us, provides top tier representation and always delivers positive outcomes. Thank you.

Ingrid Baerwald

I've had the pleasure of working with Victoria Waller for a luxury condominium in the heart of Gramercy and can say, hands down, she is one of the best! Her construction background is just a bonus to her work ethic, professionalism, and thoroughness! When Victoria is involved, clients are confident that their concerns will be heard and addressed timely.

Maribel Vega

The firm exemplifies a high level of professionalism and great attention to detail. Throughout my years of experience collaborating with various firms in the industry, I have found this particular firm to be the most responsive and professional. Notably, Victoria Waller, who is extremely competent and has an exceptional ability to communicate effectively with Board Members, providing thorough explanations.

Alexis Fritz

We have had nothing but excellent interactions with Victoria Waller and the team at Schneider Buchel. Her advice is on point, clear and practical. She's readily available and always responds to messages and emails. She's a great addition to the team.

Tom Flood

Schneider Buchel LLP have represented our cooperative for over 20 years. Their staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and on target no matter what issue we present. They are result driven and the best choice we ever made. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking the very best legal counsel.

Steven Liss

I am an attorney in Florida and I have known Marc personally and professionally for almost 10 years. I would not hesitate in sending him any work relating to HOA or COA law; his expertise is amazing, and his ethics are second to none.

Craig Goldenfarb

Great law firm! Everyone is extremely helpful when dealing with all of our co-op issues. Big shout out to Anda! She is on top of everything all the time and constantly updates us! Highly recommend!

Lori Max

Love working with Victoria. She is very attentive and responses very quickly to e mails and calls. Working with Victoria makes the transactions go smooth and easy.:)

Elham Danialian

Marc has unmatched focus on everything an association needs to be successful and well run. His firm truly is one of the top in the country for this very specific area of law.

John Lin McCraw

I would like to share my experiences with this firm. All of my dealings with the entire team have been exceptional. All matters are dealt with efficiently, effectively and professionally. The level of expertise is beyond compare.

Joei Losito

Protect Your Community Practical, Reliable Legal Advice.

Repair, Improvements, and Other Contracts

At Schneider Buchel, we understand how vital it is for Condo Boards to be fully protected when entering into contracts for capital repairs, façade work, and structural improvements. These agreements often carry legal consequences that go unnoticed until a problem arises.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes

We frequently step in to correct poorly written or incomplete contracts after an issue has developed—often when Boards didn’t consult an attorney before signing. Without proper clauses addressing insurance coverage, indemnification, and dispute resolution, associations are left vulnerable.

Our attorneys ensure your contracts are clearly drafted, legally sound, and tailored to your project’s scope and complexity. We handle everything from engineering and management contracts to construction and financing agreements.

Our Condominium Law Attorneys Can Also Help You With

Preparing contracts and financing for projects at the condominium
Election issues, among others
Unit owner-controlled board / sponsor-transition issues
Defending boards in litigation where Condominiums and their board members are sued
Issues concerning the interpretation of the condominium’s governing documents
Amendments to governing documents
Dealing with regulatory agencies and code mandates

This has enabled our firm to have an advantage over other attorneys who represent Condominiums in that we have personal knowledge of the issues the boards typically face. This perspective, combined with our proactive approach to risk management, means we can also help our clients with a wide range of both legal and practical solutions.

What Makes Condo Law Different

In a condominium, each unit is independently owned and fee simple, meaning the unit owner has direct title to their property. This includes ownership of everything within the unit’s perimeter walls, floors, and ceilings. Alongside this, unit owners share proportional rights to the common areas, which may include structural elements, lobbies, amenities, or exclusive-use features like balconies. Those proportional shares are calculated using formulas set forth in the Declaration and depend on the unit’s relative size and layout.

Legal Responsibilities and Board Oversight

Condominiums are governed by a Board of Managers that enforces the rules and maintains the property’s common areas. The Board functions under the authority granted by the governing documents and New York’s Condominium Act, which establishes baseline legal requirements for condominium governance.

Unit owners are assessed regular common charges to fund operational expenses, maintenance, and shared utilities. Special assessments may also be levied for capital projects or emergency repairs. These financial responsibilities are not voluntary—unit owners must pay based on their percentage of interest in the common elements.

When disputes arise or ambiguity exists in interpreting the governing documents, the Condominium Act offers statutory guidance. Working with counsel who understands this nuanced area of law helps Boards avoid costly errors, manage risk, and preserve harmony within the building.

Going the Extra Mile

Board Meetings

Our lawyers attend board and community meetings in order to support procedural integrity and transparency. Whether it's overseeing a board election, supervising amendment votes, or directing meeting agendas, we aim to reduce legal risk and reinforce board decisions. Proper planning and expert facilitation help prevent future conflicts over flawed or improperly documented proceedings.

We believe in teamwork. Legal advice is most effective when it complements the expertise of property managers, accountants, and advisors serving your association. Schneider Buchel works collaboratively with all stakeholders to deliver integrated and efficient legal support.

Insurance Carriers

Schneider Buchel is often appointed by insurance companies to handle litigation involving condo associations. Drawing on our depth of condominium law knowledge and dispute-resolution experience, we represent associations in a wide array of settings—from personal injury claims to governance disagreements. We approach each case pragmatically and judiciously, aiming for resolution while positioning our clients for success.

Major insurers consistently choose us because of our seasoned litigation record and strategic, client-focused approach. With us, your association has a dependable advocate, whether at the meeting table or in litigation.

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Rochester Condominium Law Counsel You Can Count On

From document interpretation to collections and litigation, our condo law attorneys in Rochester provide comprehensive support tailored to your board’s needs. At Schneider Buchel, we simplify the legal side of managing your building. Schedule a consultation with us today and experience focused, effective legal guidance built around your condominium community.

Our Location Rochester

75 S Clinton Ave
Suite 510
Rochester, NY 14604

Call on the phone at +1 585.580.1065

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