About Katzman Chandler — Business Law Fort Lauderdale
Business law Fort Lauderdale community associations rely on with confidence is the practice at Katzman Chandler, a full-service Florida firm devoted entirely to community association representation. Partners Leigh C. Katzman and Mary Ann Chandler lead a team that has overseen more than 50,000 community association legal matters across the state. Clients can also explore other Fort Lauderdale attorneys for comparison. The firm distinguishes itself with technology-enabled service and a deep focus on condominium and HOA governance.
Coverage extends across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as much of Florida. Business law Fort Lauderdale matters at this firm cover the full lifecycle of community association work — from document amendments and board governance to owner litigation, collections, and hurricane claim recovery. Senior attorneys including Edith M. Conaway and Michael Weitzner support the partners on transactional and litigation matters. Virtual consultations with name partners are strongly encouraged.
What Clients Say
Clients — primarily condo and HOA boards — describe the firm as efficient, well-organized, and aligned with the realities of association management. Reviewers note flexible billing options on collection matters through the firm’s “Collect 4 Free” program. Several specifically mention free educational courses for board members on governance and statutory compliance. The bilingual English/Spanish service availability is valued by South Florida associations.
Business Law Fort Lauderdale — Practice Areas & Services
- Transactional services including corporate governance, loan closings, and document amendments
- Litigation services for owner violations, contract disputes, and association defense
- Collection services with statutory demands, liens, and foreclosure actions
- Hurricane claims handling with free damage and policy reviews
- Construction defect representation including 558 demands
Frequently Asked Questions
What laws govern Florida condominium associations?
Florida condos are governed primarily by Chapter 718 of the Florida Statutes (the Condominium Act). HOAs follow Chapter 720. Both chapters have seen significant amendments after the 2021 Surfside collapse, including milestone inspection requirements for older buildings.
How do association collections work in Florida?
Florida law gives associations a statutory lien for unpaid assessments. After proper demand and notice, the association can record a lien and proceed to foreclosure. Many firms handle collections on contingency or alternative billing models for boards.
What is a 558 demand in Florida construction defect cases?
Florida Statute § 558 requires a contractor to be served with a written notice of construction defect before suit can be filed. The notice triggers an inspection and settlement process. This pre-suit step is mandatory for most defect claims.
Quick Facts: Business Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Broward County Population: Over 1.94 million residents, one of Florida’s most condo-dense counties — U.S. Census QuickFacts
- FL Condominiums: Florida has over 1.5 million condominium units across approximately 27,000 associations — FL DBPR Division of Condominiums
- FL Active Attorneys: The Florida Bar reports over 110,000 in-state members — The Florida Bar

