Overview

Nura Rafati is a community associations attorney who helps homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-operatives navigate legal and practical matters in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Nura listens intently to board members and managers to understand their goals, and spends time explaining legal concepts, laying the framework for the decision-making process. She is thorough and systematic in her research, but flexible and innovative when it comes to problem-solving. She embraces obstacles because they challenge her to be creative.

As general counsel for associations, Nura interprets and amends governing documents, prepares board communications such as meeting notices and violation letters, and prepares and revises rules, regulations, and policies. She also offers practical legal advice on enforcement and governance issues, insurance matters, and meeting procedures and best practices.

Additionally, Nura handles issues surrounding the Federal Fair Housing Act, and represents clients before the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities, the Maryland Commission for Civil Rights, and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

Prior to joining Lerch Early she was a Pro Bono Research Fellow for the Honorable Paul W. Grimm of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Nura was born and raised in Haifa, Israel and is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. She enjoys spending her weekends exploring DC and looking for her next favorite restaurant.

Education

  • American University Washington College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2017)
  • The George Washington University (B.A., Criminal Justice, 2014)

Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia

Clerkships

  • Pro Bono Research Fellow for the Honorable Paul W. Grimm, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Honors and Awards

  • Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Association Institute 2023 Writer of the Year Award
  • Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Association Institute 2024 Maryland Public Advocate Award

Community Involvement

  • DC Baha’i Community (Member, 2010-present)

Professional Memberships

  • Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (Member, Quorum Editorial Committee, 2021-present; Member, Maryland Legislative Committee, 2019-present; Co-Chair, 2024 Maryland Legislative Committee)
  • Maryland State Bar Association (2019-present)
  • District of Columbia Bar Association (2017-present)
  • Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (2021-present)

Speaking Engagements

  • “Neighbor to Neighbor Disputes: Does Federal Fair Housing Apply?, ” speaker, Chesapeake Region Chapter Community Association Institute Breakfast Webinar Program, March 2025
  • “The Wheel of Misfortune,” panelist, Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute Conference and Expo, March 2025
  • “Educating to Increase Compliance,” speaker, Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute Education Palooza, October 2024
  • “Legislative Update Series: Maryland,” speaker, Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, September 2024
  • “Federal Fair Housing Act: the what, when, who, and why,” speaker, Community Associations Institute 2024 Large-Scale Managers Workshop, September 2024
  • “2024 Maryland Legislative Update,” panelist, Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute Conference and Expo, March 2024

Practice Areas

Community Associations

Lerch Early’s community associations attorneys provide practical counsel to board members and managers of common ownership communities throughout Maryland, the District, and Virginia on governing and managing effective and thoughtful associations.

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