Sandra L. Gottlieb

Sandra L. Gottlieb, Esq., CCAL – Senior Managing Partner
Is a Founding Partner of SwedelsonGottlieb and is widely recognized as one of California's preeminent community association attorneys. She is a founding partner and the Senior Managing Partner of SwedelsonGottlieb, a law firm established in 1987 that is exclusively dedicated to the representation of community associations across California which limits its practice to condominiums, planned developments and cooperatives. Sandra also leads the firm's transactional team, providing strategic counsel on a wide range of legal matters impacting common interest developments.

Sandra has been practicing law for over 40 years, and she has provided legal counsel to community associations since the mid-eighties. Sandra has lived in two condominium associations, including a master and sub-association, and a Planned Development. Sandra's extensive negotiating skill acquired in the early years of her practice has given her the ability to work with volunteer board members, associations' managing agents and opposing counsel to achieve intended results, and to provide sound counsel regarding Association operational issues.

Sandra and her partner David Swedelson, Esq., CCAL formed their law firm in 1987, bringing together David's extensive litigation experience with Sandra's extensive transactional background. Sandra's experience in representing California community associations allows her not only to provide legal representation but also counsel on the many different matters and issues that impact California homeowner associations. Sandra's expertise is exemplified in her numerous publications in SwedelsonGottlieb's HOALawBlog.com:

Sandra is a dedicated leader within the industry and has served as President of the Board of Directors for 3 (CAI) chapters: In Orange County, Los Angeles, and Channel Islands demonstrating her deep commitment to advancing professionalism and education within the field. On a national level, she has contributed significantly through her roles on the CAI National Faculty, the CAI National Attorneys Committee, and as a distinguished Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). Sandra's leadership also extends to the California Association of Community Managers (CACM), where she served as Editor of the CACM Law Journal and as a designated attorney on the Professional Standards Committee, helping to shape and uphold the ethical standards of the Management profession.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Sandra frequently presents at industry events across California and beyond. She is known for her practical, solution-oriented approach and is a trusted advisor to volunteer board members, community managers, and legal peers guiding them through complex operational and governance issues with clarity, integrity, and a deep understanding of the law.

Accolades

CACM Excellence in Education Award (2001)
CAI Orange County May Russell Hall of Fame Award (2008)
CAI California North Speaker of the Year Award (2008)
CACM Vision Award for Lifetime Achievement (2009)
CAI Orange County Presidents Award (2010)
CAI Orange County Speaker of the Year Award (2011)
CAI Orange County Speaker of the Year Award (2018)
CAI Channel Islands Speaker of the Year Award (2018)
CAI Greater Los Angeles Excellence in Education Award (2018)
CAI Greater Los Angeles Dick Pruess Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
CAI Greater Los Angeles The Dick Pruess Keystone Award (2020)
CAI Greater Los Angeles Excellence in Education Award (2020)
CAI Channel Islands Excellence in Community Association Leadership Award (2021)
CAI Channel Islands Speaker of the Year Award (2021)
CAI Greater Los Angeles Educator of the Year Award (2022)
CAI Channel Islands William S. Dunlevy, Esq., Author of the Year Award (2022)
CAI Orange County Program of the year Award (2022)

Contact Sandra at [email protected] or 800.372.2207 x202.