Denise D. Iger

diger@IgerWankel.com
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For more than twenty-five years now, Denise has served as general legal counsel to hundreds of homeowners associations throughout Southern California. Whether it is redrafting entire sets of governing documents or simply answering an ordinary operational question, Denise provides practical, easy-to-follow advice and suggestions to the homeowners associations that she counsels. 

Denise began her legal training in college at the University of California, San Diego, where she clerked for both the US Attorney’s Office and the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. Wishing to stay in southern California, Denise attended California Western School of Law, where she graduated cum laude, after having worked for the American Arbitration Association and a prestigious construction defense law firm. 

Since beginning her representation of homeowners association in the mid-1990s, Denise has dedicated much of her time to the homeowners association industry. She served six years as a volunteer director and four years as Vice President for the Community Association’s Institute, Orange County Chapter. Denise has served on the Chapter’s Publication Committee for twenty years and previously chaired the Committee. Denise serves on the faculty for CACM and has assisted in drafting course materials, in addition to teaching classes necessary for community manager certification. She formerly served on the California Association of Community Manager (CACM) Legal Steering Committee and has acted as guest editor of the CACM Law Journal. 

Denise serves as a volunteer director and vice-president of a nonprofit education foundation. She is a prolific writer, having been published more than a hundred times in different trade and bar association publications. Denise also has lectured dozens of times at homeowners association-related national and local conferences and has acted as a guest speaker on talk radio shows.

Awards 

• CAI – Orange County Chapter’s 2018 Author of the Year Award
• CAI – Orange County Chapter’s 2015 Speaker of the Year Award
• CAI – Orange County Chapter’s 2014 Chapter Appreciation Award
• CAI - Orange County Chapter’s 2007 May Russell Hall of Fame Award
• CAI - Orange County Chapter’s 2005 President’s Award
• CAI - Orange County Chapter’s 2002 Outstanding Service Award
• CAI - Orange County Chapter’s 2001 President’s Award
• CACM’s 2001 Vision Award for Excellence in Education

Representative Published Works 

• “Tips for Productive Homeowner Forums,” CAI’s OC View (2020)
• “How to Make Board Meetings Shorter,” CAI’s OC View (2019)
• “New Bans on Short-Term Rentals in Coastal Communities May No Longer be Allowed,” CAI’s OC View (2018)
• “Private Eyes – They’re Watching You,” CACM Law Journal (2017)
• “Janitorial Companies Required to Clean Up Their Act,” CAI’s OC View (2016)
• “Artificial Grass. It’s For Real,” CACM Law Journal (2016)
• “Ad Hoc Committees,” CAI OC View (2015)
• “Legislature Further Clarifies Escrow Disclosures,” CAI’s OC View (2014)
• “Changes to IDR Procedures,” CAI- LA’s Focus Magazine (2014)
• “Rental Restrictions and Prohibitions,” CACM Law Journal (2014)
• “Demystifying the Condo Plan,” CAI’s OC View (2012)
• “Increasing Homeowners Association Dues,” Orange County Bar Association’s OC Lawyer (2012)
• “Preparing for Your Deposition,” CAI’s OC View (2012)
• “The Value of a Maintenance Matrix,” CAI’s OC View (2010)
• “Revisiting Your BBQ Rules,” CAI’s OC View (2010)
• “Dog Breed Bans,” CAI’s OC View (2008)
• "The Truth About Three-Year Proxies,” CAI’s OC View (2007)

Representative Lectures

• “Landmark Case Decisions,” CAI Managers Breakfast (2019)
• “Keeping Your Community Relevant,” CAI Luncheon (2018)
• “Lessons from the New Kids on the Block,” CACM Law Seminar (2017)
• “Sober Living Homes,” CAI-OC Symposium and Expo (2016)
• “Advanced Elections,” CACM Law Seminar (2016)
• “The Birth of a Homeowners Association,” CAI California Law Conference (2015)
• “Deciphering the Code: How to Read and Understand Recorded Documents,”  CAI California Statewide Law Conference (2014)
• “Shared Use Facilities,” CACM Webinar (2014)
• “Unique Funding Options for Homeowners Associations,” CAI-OC Spring Forum (2013)
• “Issues Facing High-Rises,” CACM Law Seminar (2013)
• “Service with Staying Power: Long-Term Contracts Done Right,” CACM Webinar (2012)
• “Construction Contracts,” CAI California Statewide Law Conference (2011)
• “Resolving Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disuptes,” CAI-LA Luncheon (2010)
• “Post-Battin Elections,” CACM Southern California Expo (2009)
• “Going Green,” CACM Law Seminar (2009)
• “Road Map for HOA Survival,” CAI-LA Educational Luncheon (2008)
• “Negotiating Contracts,” CAI – OC Educational Luncheon (2008)
• “Rage, Security and Megan’s Law,” CACM Law Seminar (2006) 

Denise can be reached via email at diger@IgerWankel.com.