Biography

Michael A. Sottolano is a shareholder in the firm’s Richmond (Glen Allen) office and has been with the firm since 2011. He represents community associations and provides legal advice and assistance to clients regarding all aspects of common interest community association law. His practice encompasses a broad range of services including, but not limited to, advising board of directors in their day-to-day operations, governance and fiduciary responsibility, reviewing, interpreting and drafting contracts, governing documents, and amendments thereto, conflict management (including the enforcement of contractual obligations, covenant and rule compliance, addressing fair housing complaints and adjudicating disputes through litigation and ADR), and collection of unpaid assessments.

Michael is actively involved in several chapters of the Community Associations Institute (“CAI”). Previously, he served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Virginia Chapter of CAI and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Virginia Chapter of CAI ('CVCCAI') as its President-Elect, as well as the CVCCAI Community Associations Day Trade Show & Expo committee, and the Joint Chapter Committee. He is also a frequent presenter at CAI events and author of several articles in CVCCAI's Consensus and the CWMEB Journal. 

Focus Areas in Community Association Law

• General counseling and representation
• Litigation
• Collections
• Rules and covenants enforcement
• Contract interpretation and dispute resolution
• Bylaw interpretation and amendments

Education

• William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, VA, J.D., 2010
• James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, B.S. Psychology, 2005

Admitted

• 2016, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
• 2016, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• 2011, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• 2011, Virginia

Professional Associations

• Virginia State Bar
• Community Associations Institute, Central Virginia Chapter

Awards

• CVCCAI Rising Star, 2013
• CVCCAI Past Presidents Award, 2018
• CVCCAI Committee of the Year (CVCCAI Community Associations Day Trade Show & Expo), 2022