Condominiums & Planned Communities
Attorneys to Assist With Condominiums & Planned CommunitiesThroughout North Carolina
Manning Fulton’s real estate attorneys guide clients through the formation and development of commercial and residential common interest communities throughout North Carolina. From initial planning through build-out, we help clients put the legal and governance framework in place for planned communities, condominiums, subdivisions, townhomes, and mixed-use developments.
Our attorneys work closely with developers and property owners, to create a plan that reflects the client’s intentions for the community. We also assist clients who acquire existing common interest communities or commercial projects and need to revise or amend existing covenants and governance documents to support a new or updated development plan.
Manning Fulton helps clients establish, document, and update condominium and planned community projects throughout North Carolina. Our attorneys provide guidance on the covenants, easements, governance systems, and community documents needed to support these projects from planning through build-out.
Manning Fulton assists clients in establishing planned communities by identifying the common facilities for the project and creating the appropriate governance system to support the community. Our attorneys do this through supporting and advising on matters involving:
- Commercial subdivisions
- Single-family residential subdivisions
- Planned communities
- Townhome developments
- Mixed-use subdivisions
- Common facilities and shared infrastructure
- Governance systems and community documents
Common interest communities depend on clear and effective governing documents. Manning Fulton has significant experience developing the full suite of documents needed to support commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects.
As projects develop, we continue to support clients by providing counsel on amendments and supplements to covenants and other governing documents as needed. Our attorneys assist with:
- Declaration of covenants
- Easements and access rights
- Use restrictions
- Governance documents
- Amendments and supplements to covenants
- Community association documents
- Documents needed as projects build out over time
Manning Fulton assists clients with condominium projects throughout North Carolina, from the initial planning stages through build-out. Our attorneys have experience with a wide range of condominium structures, including stacked units and land condominiums. Our condominium work includes:
- Residential condominiums
- Commercial condominiums
- Mixed-use condominium projects
- Stacked unit condominiums
- Land condominiums
- Condominium formation documents
- Governance and ownership structures
- Condominium Conversions
Not every condominium project begins as new development. Manning Fulton helps clients convert rental properties and other existing real estate projects into condominium ownership structures. Our attorneys guide clients through the legal and practical considerations involved in condominium conversions, including:
- Evaluating the proposed ownership and governance structure
- Preparing condominium conversion documents
- Aligning project documents with the client’s intended use and operation of the property
- Supporting long-term administration, governance, and owner relationships
Manning Fulton also works with clients who acquire existing common interest communities and commercial projects. In these matters, our attorneys help clients plan and execute revisions or amendments to existing documents so the project can develop according to a new or revised plan. Our work includes:
- Review of existing covenants and governance documents
- Amendments to existing community documents
- Supplements to covenants
- Revisions needed for new ownership or development plans
- Governance updates for existing communities
- Support for commercial projects with existing common interest structures
Partner with Manning Fulton
Whether you are developing a new planned community, creating a condominium project, converting rental property to condominium ownership, or revising the governing documents for an existing common interest community, Manning Fulton’s real estate attorneys are ready to help.
Who We Serve
Manning Fulton advises clients involved in the development, ownership, acquisition, and operation of common interest communities, including:
Real Estate Developers
Developers creating or managing condominium, planned community, or subdivision projects.
Commercial Property Owners
Owners structuring commercial common interest communities or shared property arrangements.
Residential Developers
Developers building residential communities with shared facilities, covenants, or governance needs.
Mixed-Use Project Developers
Developers combining residential, retail, office, or other uses in one project.
Townhome Developers
Developers creating townhome communities with common areas or association structures.
Condominium Developers
Developers forming condominium projects, including residential, commercial, or mixed-use condominiums.
Owners Acquiring Existing Communities
Owners purchasing existing common interest communities that may need review or restructuring.
Clients Converting Rental Properties
Property owners converting rental units to condominium ownership.
Developers of Subdivisions & Planned Communities
Clients creating commercial subdivisions, residential communities, or planned developments.
Project Teams
Teams needing governance documents, covenants, easements, amendments, supplements, or related community documents.
Related Professionals
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Recognized by Chambers & Partners USA
Manning Fulton’s Commercial Real Estate Practice Group and four attorneys were recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Legal Guide.
2026
Real Estate practice group selected for North Carolina (Band 3) in 2024-2026
Chambers recognized the following attorneys:
- Mike Medford - Insurance NC (Band 1)
- Barry Mann - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
- Alison Cayton - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
- Doug Short - Real Estate NC (Band 4)
Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”
Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”
2026
Legal Elite
- Mike T. Medford - Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes
- William C. Smith - Bankruptcy
- Judson A. Welborn - Construction
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Corporate Law
- Thomas I. Lyon - Corporate Law
- William B. Gwyn - Corporate Law
- William S. Cherry - Employment
- Jessica B. Vickers - Litigation
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate Law
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Jessica Elliott - Real Estate Law
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate Law
- Sandra M. Clark - Tax & Estate Planning
- Steve T. Byrd - Tax & Estate Planning
- Chris Bobby
- Lawrence D. Graham
- Matthew P. Muntean
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Twenty-three Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, including 17 Super Lawyers and 6 Rising Stars.
2026
Super Lawyers
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate
- Stephen T. Byrd - Estate & Probate
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate
- William S. Cherry III - Business Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Estate & Probate
- William B. Gwyn Jr. - Business/Corporate
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Estate & Probate
- Thomas I. Lyon - Mergers & Acquisitions
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate
- Michael T. Medford - Business Litigation
- Kevin A. Prakke - Securities & Corporate Finance
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Franchise/Dealership
- Jessica B. Vickers - Business Litigation
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business/Corporate
- Judson A. Welborn - Business Litigation
- J. Patrick Bailey - Real Estate
- Angela C. Baldwin - Estate & Probate
- Chris N. Bobby - Business/Corporate
- Lawrence Graham, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Matthew P. Muntean - Business/Corporate
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
