Our Practice

Condominium & Community Association Law

Ekimoto & Morris is actively involved in issues concerning condominium and community associations. In its extensive representation of condominium and community associations, we regularly interpret, analyze, and draft amendments of associations' declarations, articles of incorporation, by-laws, and house rules; provide legal opinions; assist in the collection of delinquent common assessments; enforce Association's governing documents; and restate Declarations and By-laws to conform to the State and Federal Fair Housing Acts. In addition, the firm has represented numerous condominium associations in the prosecution and defense of a variety of claims. These claims include construction defect cases, claims against association officers and directors, and claims involving the enforcement of associations' declarations, articles of incorporation, by-laws, and house rules.

Fee Conversion and Lease Rent Renegotiation

Ekimoto & Morris have been instrumental in enabling leasehold apartment owners in condominium and cooperative projects to successfully convert their projects to fee simple. We have been involved in both voluntary conversions and the use of mandatory conversion laws to assist in the conversion of community associations. We have participated in every aspect of the lease-to-fee conversion, from the initial approach to the lessor, to the preparation of the conveyance documents, to post-conversion resales of the portion of the leased fee acquired by the community association. We have also worked with brokers representing the Association in a coordinated effort to convert the association to fee simple.

Ekimoto & Morris have negotiated and arbitrated the lease rent for projects pursuant the terms of the apartment or ground leases. Under state law, condominium associations are required to negotiate and arbitrate the lease rent for it's members. Not only have we handled numerous negotiations and arbitrations, we are experienced in dealing with the special issues that arise when the community association is the lessor and must represent the lessees and the lessor. We are experienced working with the association's appraisers and other representatives in a team effort to seek a successful conclusion of the lease rent renegotiation process.

Civil Rights Law

Ekimoto & Morris represents clients in all aspects of civil rights law. We have handled cases involving the Federal and State Fair Housing Acts and employment discrimination claims. We also have extensive experience with the Americans' with Disabilities Act. Our attorneys have written articles and given seminars to property owners, property managers, personnel directors, and lawyers on civil rights law.

Ekimoto & Morris has handled all types of discrimination claims--from claims involving mobility limitations to the unusual claims of multiple chemical sensitivity and from claims involving race discrimination to age discrimination. This breadth of experience gives us a unique perspective in handling all types of civil rights matters