Reinventing the Rules: A Step-By-Step Guide for Being Reasonable

The best thing—and the worst thing—about community-association living is The Rules.

Are your rules reasonable and necessary?

Can you make exceptions and still maintain your duty to the association?

Are your procedures legal?

What are the costs of battling with residents instead of being flexible?

Why are words like "enforce," "penalty," "punishment," and "power," a problem for community associations?

Reinventing the rules is a challenge that must be met in order to put our communities first.

Lucia Anna Trigiani is a partner in the law firm of Troutman Sanders, L.L.P., in the Tysons Corner, Virginia, office of the firm. Her practice focus is in the representation of common-interest community associations, but she also has extensive experience in representing developers of common-interest condominium communities, large mixed-use planned communities, and time-share regimes. Prior to entering private practice in 1987, Ms. Trigiani was the property registration administrator for the Virginia Real Estate Board.

Ms. Trigiani recently concluded a term as president of the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of Community Associations Institute. She was a member of the chapter Board of Directors from 1994 to 2000 and served as treasurer, vice president, and president-elect. She has served on various committees of Community Associations Institute and is currently co-vice chair of the Government and Public Affairs Committee. At CAI’s national conference in May 2001, she was recognized for her work in the industry with the Rising Star Award. She has also been the recipient of the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Distinguished Service Award and is a member of the chapter’s Hall of Fame. She is a charter fellow of CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers.

Ms. Trigiani has worked with the Virginia Housing Study Commission on several subcommittees tasked with considering issues and legislation affecting community associations. She chairs the Real Estate Council of the Virginia Bar Association and is also a member of the Administrative Law Council. She was appointed by the governor of Virginia as the first citizen member of the Virginia Real Estate Board. She served on the board from 1992 to 1996, including a term as vice chair from 1995 to 1996.

Ms. Trigiani is a 1983 graduate of T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. She received her B.A. in 1980 from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame.