Bio
David Dockery focuses his practice on the representation of community associations in New Jersey and New York. He frequently attends and participates in client association board meetings, and in advising board members and managers with regard to general association operations. His clients rely on his considerable expertise in the legal interpretation of governing documents, as well as the creation and negotiation of contracts, resolutions, and amendments.
Mr. Dockery has extensive litigation experience with issues common to community associations such as matters pertaining to board election and special assessment disputes, collections, foreclosure, eviction, land use, appearances before municipal planning boards and boards of adjustment, bankruptcy, defense of community associations in lawsuits initiated by owners, and appellate practice.
David is a frequent speaker and author for community association organizations including the Community Association Institute – New Jersey and New York Hudson Valley Chapters, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Association Help Now, and Becker’s client publications and alerts with a focus on board governance, community association law, and issues with lenders, including recent changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.
EXPERIENCE
- Successfully defended a community association with dismissal of all claims and obtaining a declaratory judgment with regard to interpretation of the governing documents in response to a judicial election challenge
- Considerable day-to-day experience with representation of over-55 age-restricted community associations.
- Appellate experience includes successfully upholding a lower court judgment in a condominium lien foreclosure.
- Certified Mediator – New Jersey Community Associations Institute (CAI-NJ).
- Member of Editorial Committee – CAI-NJ Community Trends Magazine.
RECOGNITION
- Author of the Year Winner, “The New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender Questionnaire: To Answer, or Not to Answer, That is the Question!”, Community Associations Institute, New Jersey Chapter, Community Trends, January 2023