MELISSA BAUMAN WARD, CCAL

PARTNER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFICES

Legal Practice. Melissa Ward has extensive experience representing common interest developments, including master planned communities, condominium projects, senior communities, mixed-use projects, highrise developments, and co-ops. The majority of her practice involves interpreting, amending, and enforcing governing documents; advising boards on day-to-day operations, elections, and compliance matters; real property and title issues; negotiating and drafting contracts and other agreements; and dispute resolution. Prior to 2010, Melissa practiced as a corporate and real estate attorney handling transactional business and real estate matters, as well as real estate litigation.

Community Service. Melissa is a member of the Walnut Creek Planning Commission and currently serves as the Commission’s Vice Chair. She is a Past President of the Diablo Symphony Association and is a member of the Symphony’s cello section.

PROFESSIONAL

Fellow of the Community Association Institute's (CAI) College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
Board Member of CAI's BayCen Chapter
Committee Member on the Legislative Support Committee (LSC) of CAI’s BayCen Chapter
Committee Member on the Education Committee of CAI’s BayCen Chapter
Committee Member on the Membership Committee of CAI’s BayCen Chapter
Committee Member on the CAI CCAL Amicus Curiae Review Committee
Member of the Community Associations Institute (CAI)
Frequent speaker and writer for both CAI and CACM
Serving as Vice Chair on the Walnut Creek Planning Commission for the City of Walnut Creek
Past Committee Member of the CCAL Case Law Update Committee
Past Chair (2018) and Past Vice Chair (2017) on the Walnut Creek Transportation Commission for the City of Walnut Creek

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, University of California, Hastings College of the Law
Editor-in-Chief of the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review

Bachelor of Arts, History, Yale University

BAR ADMISSIONS

California

"A well-deserved induction into CCAL, indeed! You are invaluable and have helped me tremendously. Thank you, and congratulations again!"

"You proved your fortitude and professionalism in our 3 year struggle to get a coherent, unified set of governing documents."

"Congratulations from an HOA member, retired federal prosecutor. It always pleases me, as one who graduated from law school in 1967, to see women advance as you have. An additional thank you to your law firm for recognizing talent and doing hiring in response to that factor. This is my impression of the firm over the years"

"Thank you Melissa. Don’t know what we’d do without you!"

"Melissa Ward is critical as she has the history of us (both the good and the bad) and has been a fantastic fit for this community. I LOVE working with her."

"You are awesome! Thank you. I am learning a lot from both of you."

ADAMS | STIRLING PLC
One Sansome Street
Suite 3500
San Francisco, CA 94104
(925) 415-4040
(800) 464-2817
E-MAIL