Attorneys John Gwyn and Gary Klein Participate in UCOM 51st Annual Conference
Attorneys John Gwyn and Gary Klein are at the United Condominium Owners of Michigan (UCOM) 51st Annual Conference today at the San Marino Club in Troy, MI. If you are…
Overview
John D. Gwyn is an attorney in our Livonia office where he focuses his practice on commercial litigation, real estate law, community association law, and municipal law. He has broad and extensive experience of over 25 years in matters involving commercial and consumer litigation primarily focused on the representation of community associations and financial institutions. Mr. Gwyn currently represents developers, condominium and HOA associations regarding matters involving real estate, contract, and construction issues. He has handled all facets of litigation in matters related to bylaw violations enforcement, collections, corporate civil rights defense and creditor bankruptcy matters. Mr. Gwyn has also spent a significant part of his legal career representing banks and credit unions in proceedings related to compliance, negotiable instruments, construction lien foreclosures, receiverships, fraud litigation, probate and collections. In 2021, he was selected as a Top 20 “Go To Lawyer” in Real Estate and Condominium Law from Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Michigan in 1986 and earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the former Detroit College of Law, now known as the Michigan State University College of Law, in 1990. After attending Kings College in London, England, he became a graduate of the Institute for International Legal Studies.
Mr. Gwyn’s affiliations include the State Bar of Michigan, with membership in the Consumer and Bankruptcy Sections; the Oakland County Bar Association-; the Detroit chapter of the Consumer Bankruptcy Association (CBA); the Community Associations Institute (CAI); the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI); the United Condominium Owners of Michigan (UCOM); and the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA). As a former Young Lawyers Section Chairman of the Macomb County Bar Association, Mr. Gwyn received the Association’s Special Service Award. He also served as a member of the Pro Bono Division of the Macomb County Legal Aid Bureau and has contributed to various legal publications throughout his career.
Education
Michigan State University College of Law (Detroit College of Law), J.D., 1990
University of San Diego Law School, graduate of Institute for International Studies (Kings College-London, England), 1987
University of Michigan, B.A., Communications, 1986
Honors
Top 20 “Go To Lawyer” in Real Estate and Condominium Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Contributor, ICLE “Short-Term Rentals” On-Demand Seminar 
Memberships and Associations
State Bar of Michigan
– Consumer Section
– Bankruptcy Section
Oakland County Bar Association- Real Estate Group, Membership Committee Liaison
Macomb County Bar Association, Former Young Lawyers Section Chairperson
The United Condominium Owners of Michigan (UCOM)
Community Associations Institute (CAI)
Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA)
American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
Detroit Consumer Bankruptcy Association (CBA)
Commercial Law League of America (CLLA)
Pro Bono Division staff attorney for Macomb County Legal Aid Bureau
Presentations & Articles
Mr. Gwyn frequently provides educational and training seminars on community association topics.
Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Short-Term Rentals On-Demand Seminar, January 20, 2025
United Condominium Owners of Michigan (UCOM) 50th Anniversary Conference, April 26, 2024
Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo, March 15, 2024
Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo, March 23, 2023
Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Great Exhibitor Outdoor Vendor Fair, May 18, 2022
Michigan’s Short-Term Rental Laws, Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) Real Estate Committee, August 2022
Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Great Exhibitor Outdoor Vendor Fair, May 19, 2021
Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo, March 6, 2020
Published Articles
Attorney John Gwyn’s Article on the Ripple Effect of Skilled Trade Shortages in Michigan Featured in LACHES
The latest issue of the Oakland County Bar Association’s LACHES publication features an article on “Construction Law: The Ripple Effect of Skilled Trade Shortages in Michigan,” written by John D….
Attorneys Participate in 2025 CAI Annual Conference and Expo
Attorneys John Gwyn, Joel Ashton, and Gary Klein from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group are at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo…
Attorney John Gwyn Contributor to ICLE Short-Term Rentals On-Demand Seminar
John D. Gwyn, an attorney in the Firm’s Livonia office, is a contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) recent on-demand seminar on short-term rentals. He was asked…
Michigan House Bill 5598: Cracking Down on Fraudulent Real Estate Documents
Michigan House Bill 5598, signed into law recently as Public Act 154 of 2024, aims to strengthen the penalties for those who knowingly submit fraudulent documents related to real estate…
Michigan Supreme Court Rules: Co-Owner May Maintain Lawsuit against Association for Injuries Sustained on Common Elements
In a divided opinion, the Michigan Supreme Court recently ruled that a condominium co-owner who was injured while on common elements of a complex can maintain a premises liability action…
Michigan’s New Renewable Energy Siting Law and its Implications on Municipalities
Governor Gretchen Whitmer previously signed House Bill 5120 (now Public Act 233 of 2023) into law in November 2023. The regulations, which specifically affect municipalities and developers, create a new…
CMDA Participates in UCOM 50th Anniversary Conference
Attorneys John Gwyn and Joel Ashton, along with Paralegal Bryan Harkins, are at the United Condominium Owners of Michigan (UCOM) 50th Anniversary Conference today at the San Marino Club in…
CMDA Attorneys Participate in Annual CAI Conference and Expo
Attorneys John Gwyn and Gary Klein from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group are at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo today, Friday,…
The Legal Implications of the State of Michigan Adopting the Uniform Partition of Heirs of Property Act
An important issue currently facing many Michiganians who inherit real estate is how they will be able to preserve their wealth moving forward. In many situations where families do not…
John Gwyn’s Article on Aging in Place Featured in OCBA Laches
The latest issue of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Laches publication highlights an article on “Michigan Community Associations Should Begin Preparing Now to Accommodate Senior Residents Aging in Place” written…
Impact Michigan House Bill 5028 May Have on Community Associations in Determining the Best Policies for their Residents
A critical issue that could impact the autonomy of community associations in Michigan regarding green energy and energy efficiency policies is pending in the Michigan Legislature. House Bill 5028 may…
Are Sellers Required to Disclose Delinquent HOA Dues?
In Michigan the law is clear as to the duties of condominium associations to provide written statements to purchasers of units located in the condominium regarding unpaid assessments, interest, late…
Attorneys Participate in CAI Annual Conference and Expo
Attorneys John Gwyn and Joel Ashton from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group are at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo today, Friday,…
Collaborative Consumption in the Short-Term Sharing Economy: How Community Associations are Grappling with Peer-to-Peer Based Transactions
Even before the pandemic and recent inflationary concerns occurred, there had been a steady rise throughout the country of individuals renting or borrowing goods rather than buying and owning them….
Attorney John Gwyn Presents on Michigan’s Short-Term Rental Laws
CMDA Attorney John Gwyn from our Livonia office was recently the presenter at a webinar sponsored by the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) Real Estate Committee. He spoke on issues…
Co-Owner’s Complaint of Neighbor’s Smoking in a Condominium Rejected by the Federal Courts
The Federal Appeals panel affirmed an opinion by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan over the granting of Summary Judgment in a condominium case that has…
John Gwyn and Joel Ashton Participate in CAI Great Exhibitor Outdoor Fair
Attorneys John Gwyn and Joel Ashton from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group participated in the Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Great Exhibitor Outdoor Fair at Mill…
John Gwyn’s HOA Case Featured at CAI Annual Law Seminar
John Gwyn, an attorney in our Livonia office, recently attended the Community Associations Institute (CAI) 2022 Annual Law Seminar in California. While at the seminar, and unbeknownst to him, the…
John Gwyn Selected as a “Go To Lawyer” in Real Estate and Condominium Law
CMDA is proud to announce that John D. Gwyn has been recognized as a “Go To Lawyer” for Real Estate and Condominium Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The publication recently…
John Gwyn and Joel Ashton Participate in CAI Great Exhibitor Outdoor Fair
Attorneys John Gwyn and Joel Ashton from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group participated in the Community Associations Institute’s (CAI) Great Exhibitor Outdoor Fair on May…
Navigating Community Association Construction Agreements with Contractors for Renovation and Remodeling Projects
Construction agreements can often be some of the most costly expenses that condominium associations and homeowner associations (HOAs) will ever review and consider for approval regarding their common element projects….
Avoid Risky Policies when Collecting Assessments from Delinquent Condominium and HOA Homeowners
Question: Can the Board of a Condominium Association or HOA post a list of delinquent members on the Association’s website to shame them into paying? In a word, NO. Associations…
Appropriate Steps to take when Collecting Assessments from Delinquent Condominium and HOA Homeowners
If you are a Board Member of a condominium or homeowners’ association, you may encounter residents who do not pay their monthly or annual assessments on time. Although an association’s…
Requirement of Michigan Public Bodies to Hold Public Meetings In-Person Under the OMA Suspended
Access to state and local government meetings has been a hallmark of American democracy for most of our country’s history. All states have enacted open meetings laws that generally require…
Are Short-Term Rental Occupants Considered to be Tenants or Guests under Michigan Law?
As vacation rental marketplace websites, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, continue to gain popularity, landlords, homeowners, tenants, and municipalities must grapple with various legal issues involving Short-Term Rentals (STR) of…
Force Majeure Clauses in Commercial Leases in the Age of the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus Pandemic has unfavorably affected many Michigan businesses over the past several months. The loss of revenue associated with shuttering a business during this ongoing global epidemic is placing…
Collection of Accrued Interest Not Allowed in the Absence of a Written Contract Provision
A common query posed to collection attorneys by their small business clients is whether, upon the default of a standard contract agreement, the client will receive the “benefit of the…
The Use of Lady Bird Deeds to Convey Life Estate Interests in Land
One of the most common requests from clients to probate practitioners is when an individual, upon their passing, wishes to transfer ownership in real property outside of probate proceedings while…
Michigan Governor Encouraging the Use of Electronic Signatures, Remote Notarization and Witnessing during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Governor Whitmer’s latest Executive Order in effect through May 6, 2020 allows any notarial act required under Michigan Law to be done using two-way video technology. As a result, a…
Alternative Methods to Conducting Meetings and to Limit In-Person Interactions within your Community Association during the Covid-19 Outbreak
To help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus we have all had to substantially alter the way we work and live and social distancing has become the new normal –…
Health and Safety precautions for Community Associations during the Covid-19 Outbreak
The state of emergency caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has been of great concern to everyone these days. Business and governments have scrambled to establish protocol and implement guidelines and…
Recent Michigan Court of Appeals Decision Holds in Favor of Condominium Association’s Amendment of its Bylaws to Preclude Short-Term Rentals
In the case of Highfield Beach at Lake Michigan v. Sanderson, the Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled on the issue of enforceability of a condominium Bylaw which affected short-term…
Attorneys Participate in CAI Conference and Expo
Attorneys from the Firm’s Community Association and Real Estate Law practice group are at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference and Expo today, Friday, March 6. If you are…
Dealing with Vexatious Litigants in Community Association Matters
Vexatious litigants bother, embarrass and/or cause legal expenses to the defendant and can be a costly problem in today’s legal system. Vexatious litigation is becoming more common in the realm…
Are Sellers Required to Disclose the Existence of Delinquent HOA Dues?
In Michigan the law is clear as to the duties of condominium associations to provide written statements to purchasers of units located in the condominium regarding unpaid assessments, interest, late…
State Court dismisses Lawsuit against HOA in Real Property Dispute involving the State of Michigan
Recently, a Circuit Court Judge in Michigan agreed with CMDA that claims made in a lawsuit filed by a group of subdivision homeowners against a neighboring homeowner’s association (HOA) in…
Jurisdiction and Court Admissions
Michigan State Courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Practice Groups
Community Association and Real Estate LawEducation
Michigan State University College of Law (Detroit College of Law), J.D., 1990
University of San Diego Law School, graduate of Institute for International Studies (Kings College-London, England), 1987
University of Michigan, B.A., Communications, 1986
Honors
Top 20 “Go To Lawyer” in Real Estate and Condominium Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Contributor, ICLE “Short-Term Rentals” On-Demand Seminar