Overview
Nura Rafati is a community associations attorney who represents homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-operatives in the Greater Washington, DC area.
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.
Nura received her law degree cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law and a bachelor of arts in criminal justice from The George Washington University. 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. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and 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; Highest Grade Designation for International Energy Law; Senior Articles Editor, The Modern American Brief)
- The George Washington University (B.A., Criminal Justice, 2014; Board of Trustees Scholarship; University and Alumni Award)
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
Community involvement
- DC Baha’i Community (Member, 2010-present)
Professional memberships
- Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (Member, Quorum Editorial Committee 2021-present; Maryland Legislative Committee, 2019-2020)
- Maryland State Bar Association (2019-present)
- District of Columbia Bar Association (2017-present)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
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.
News & insights

Love it or Hate it, Your Community’s Governing Documents Reign Supreme
The host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver recently made waves by criticizing common ownership community standards and enforcement actions. What John Oliver failed to mention is that associations …

The Evolution of Pet “PAWLICIES”: Out With the Old In With the New!
This article originally appeared in the May 2023 edition of Quorum. It seems that the number of pets has multiplied over the pandemic, with people getting all kinds of animals to …

The Personal Benefits of Volunteering: What YOU can gain from helping others!
This article originally appeared in the April 2023 edition of Quorum. You may have heard the famous quote that “as you grow older you will discover that you have two …

When One Person’s Trash is not Another Person’s Treasure: A Guide to Removing Discarded or Improperly Stored Items
This article originally appeared in the January 2023 edition of Quorum. Renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo famously said that if something does not spark joy, dispose of it. What she …

That’s my parking spot! – When associations should step in to resolve a dispute
This article originally appeared in the September 2022 edition of Quorum. Neighbor-to-neighbor disputes are common (think: a neighbor blowing leaves on your yard or parking in your favorite spot) and …