Joseph W. Scharnak

Joseph W. Scharnak 

Principal
  • Community Association Law, Landlord & Tenant Law, Real Estate Transactions, Cooperatives
  • Illinois

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Joseph Scharnak concentrates his practice representing condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations.

Born and raised in Chicago, Joseph has spent his entire legal career representing clients in both the city and surrounding suburbs in all aspects of Illinois real estate ownership and management. He possesses a unique insight of the challenges that associations face from their inception, including: negotiating with developers during turnover; supporting newly elected board members, addressing construction defects, negotiating service contracts, and navigating violations & complaints within the association.

Joseph frequently speaks at industry conferences and strives to provide ongoing education and support to association board members and property managers. He has been a presenter at Community Association Institute (CAI) Illinois events and contributed to newsletters. Joseph is also an active supporter of the John Marshall Law School Real Estate Law Program.

  • LL.M. (Real Estate Law), University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, 2009
  • J.D., DePaul University, 2007
  • B.A. (Political Science & Criminal Justice), University of Illinois at Chicago, 2004
  • Illinois State Bar

  • ACTHA

  • CAI Illinois – Community Associations Institute

  • Chicago Bar Association, Condo Law Sub-Committee

  • “Drones in Community Associations” – KSN attorney Joseph Scharnak reviews the use of drones in community associations. He also discusses the federal and state drone regulations along with the privacy and safety concerns associated with the use of drones. (12 mins.)

  • “Pests & Infestations: Eight Considerations for Community Associations” – KSN attorney Joseph Scharnak reviews how community associations can best manage and prevent the spread of pest infestations. (10 mins.)

  • “Cars, Cameras, and Communities” – KSN attorney Joseph Scharnak discusses Automated License Plate Readers in community associations. He reviews legal concerns, considerations in implementing new technology in your association, and more. (14 mins.)

  • “Illinois Takes Biometrics Back to the Future” – Attorney Joseph Scharnak defines biometric identifiers and explains how The Illinois Biometric Privacy Act stands to impact condominium, townhome and homeowner associations in light of a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision. (11 mins.)

  • “The Devil is in the Details with Special Assessments” – Attorney Joseph Scharnak discusses the complex process of how a condominium, townhome or homeowners association adopts a special assessment, and the legal restrictions around voting, vetos, and use of those funds. (13 mins.)

  • KSN Blog: Drones in Community Associations: Five Considerations

  • KSN Blog: Pests and Infestations: Eight Considerations for Community Associations

  • KSN Blog: Communities, Cars, and Cameras: Automated License Plate Readers in Associations
  • KSN Blog: An Overview of Special Assessments
  • KSN Blog: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Association Compliant with the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act
  • “Communities, Cars, and Cameras: Automated License Plate Readers in Associations”, Condolifestyles, October 2020.

  • “Pest and Infestations: Eight Considerations for Community Associations”, Condolifestyles, October 2020.

  • “Associations May be Able to Recover Six Months of Unpaid Assessments From Foreclosure Purchasers Without Filing Suit Against the Former Owner”, JD SUPRA: June 2018.
  • Contributing Author, Rights and Responsibilities of Association Board Members booklet, Illinois Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson: January 2018.
  • “Use and Occupancy Restrictions: How Far Can Boards Go?”, Association of Condominiums, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations (ACTHA) Newsletter: April 2017.
  • “Condo Owners ask about Special Assessment Liability, Access to Finances”, Chicago Tribune Help Squad Column: August 2016.
  • Contributing Author, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Illinois Condominium Law, 2016 Edition.
  • “Q&A: Rental Rules Not Enforced”, The Cooperator Chicagoland: April 2014.
  • “City Council Bites Back at Residential Bed Bug Infestations”, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: September 2013.
  • “Survivor: Condo Association Edition”, Common Interest Magazine: November 2012.
  • Webinar: “Vendor Contracts: Construction, Operation, Reconstruction, Maintenance, Repair, Etc.” & “Advising on Homeowner/Condo Association Management”. National Business Institute’s Condominium and Homeowners Association Law, December 2017.
  • “Hot Legal Topics: marijuana smoke nuisances, employee use of medical marijuana, condominium deconversion”, Community Association Institute Illinois Condo-HOA Conference & Expo, February 2017.
  • “Laws vs. Rules, Sex, Drugs & Air Control”. Chicagoland Cooperator Expo, May 2016.
  • Community Association Institute Legal Forum, April 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
  • Careers in Real Estate Law Panel, John Marshall Law School, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

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