SL_profile_Gawthrop Greenwood_0424_Layout 1 5 / 3 / 24 12 : 16 PM Page 2 have skills in the courtroom , but if we’re also able to resolve disputes amicably and keep the sense of community in the community association , I think we’ve served the industry well and have done our jobs effectively . I know Holly shares this point of view as well . ” Setzler adds , “ When we have exhausted reasonable efforts to resolve contested issues and litigation results , it is gratifying when we prevail for the benefit of the community and to preserve the integrity of the law . ” The community association law team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work together Thefirm bolstered its atGawthrop Greenwood , a firm that is marking expertise in commu - its 120th year in business in 2024 , just as the nityassociation law borough of West Chester — the location of the aftermerging with the firm’s headquarters — is celebrating its 225th lawfirms owned by birthday . Over that stretch , Gawthrop Green - Sugarmanand Setzler , each considered a pio - wood has produced seven judges , including neer in the field . the first female judge in Chester County , two judges who went on to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania , and another who became a Federal District Court Judge . Its attorneys are regularly recognized for their contributions to control , drafting and amending governing the law , and 11 have been named president On the Rise documents , statutory compliance , resolving of the Chester County Bar Association . Community association law has risen in sig - disputes among homeowners — the list goes “ It’s clearly one of the most prominent nificance because , as Setzler notes , most of on and on . law firms not only in Chester County but in the state’s new housing developments are Setzler says , “ The panoply of issues that the Greater Philadelphia and Mid - Atlantic approved only if they are governed by such arise in a community association that require region , ” Sugarman says . “ In many respects , an entity . These associations have assumed the board’s attention makes every day inter - its history and reputation have facilitated our responsibilities previously handled by munic - esting . As communities are aging , for example , ability to continue to attract clients to the firm ipalities , such as street maintenance , trash we offer our experience to assist navigating and to continue to have an influential voice in pickup , snow removal , and stormwater man - the remediation process , identifying appropriate the legal community . ” agement . professionals , addressing funding challenges , “ I’ve always held Gawthrop Greenwood Because they are so common , all parties and the like . ” in high esteem , even before joining the firm , ” with an interest in the community — from They take their roles as leaders and edu - Setzler adds . “ Their reputation was stellar in association boards and builders / developers cators very seriously . As an adjunct professor thecommunity , and they’ve always been well to engineers , architects , property managers , at the Villanova University Charles Widger respectedby the bench and by local businesses . Realtors , insurance professionals , and more — School of Law , Sugarman developed one of When this merger came about , I could not mayneed assistance addressing the complex the few law school courses in the country on havebeen prouder to become part of it . ” ? and ever - evolving principles of community condominium and homeowner association associationlaw . Gawthrop Greenwood is one ? law and regularly lectures on of the few firms offering the comprehensive the subject at suite of legal services encompassing the field . the state and national levels . Sugarman and Setzler were already familiar “ With this area of the law now impacting Gawthrop Greenwood , PC with each other prior to so many people , helping other lawyers and joining Gawthrop Headquartered in West Chester , with professionals in the industry gain a better Greenwood . Due to their lofty positions in offices in Berwyn , Philadelphia , understanding of the legal rights and respon - the field , they often crossed paths at legal and Wilmington , Delaware sibilities of associations , developers , owners , proceedings and national conferences . They buyers , sellers , and lenders is hugely important , ” havealways had a healthy admiration for one ( 610 ) 696 - 8225 | gawthrop.com Sugarman explains . “ We can litigate , and we another and the role each has played in helping to grow the field ; in fact , they occa - sionally reached out to one another for per - spectives on issues related to their work . Now those conversations can take place within the same office . “ It seems at least weekly there’s a new issue that we get to see in our practices , and new challenges , ” Sugarman says . “ Having the opportunity to work with a larger group of talented lawyers with skills in other specialty areas is extremely helpful and very valuable for the representation of our clientele . ” Additional Gawthrop Greenwood attorneys devoted to community association law include Elliot H . Berton and James D . Doyle . Their areas of expertise include general counsel , assessment collection , transition from declarant SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 15 ISSUE 8 | 23