Condo Media - March 2017 - 72

Ask a Busy Person
What do you find most challenging or
most frustrating about your work?
Most of the challenges are more
interesting than frustrating. But every
once in a while, I encounter someone
who disrupts the decision-making
process. And that can become stressful
for everyone.
Is there a mistake-maybe more
than one-that you see condominium
boards make repeatedly?
Not reading the association's governing documents, and not following
the procedures they require. Another
common problem: some boards don't
recognize the importance of keeping
owners informed. They value efficiency
over transparency, and operating without a reasonable degree of transparency
is always a recipe for disaster.
How and why did you get
involved with CAI-NE?
As I recall, I first became involved by
writing an article for Condo Media. When
I was approached about joining the Legislative Action Committee (LAC), I thought
it was a good opportunity to contribute
to CAI and to the development of good
condominium law in Maine. It also offers
an opportunity for me to stay informed
about changes in condominium law.

CONDOMEDIA

BRUCE MCGLAUFLIN, PARTNER
Petruccelli, Martin & Haddow, LLP
Few attorneys follow a direct
path to condominium law, but Bruce
McGlauflin's path was more circuitous
than most. "My problem," he admits,
"is I've always had too many interests."
After working as a community organizer, he earned his master's in community development. But he found relevant
jobs scarce in Maine at the time, and
he didn't want to leave his home state.
So he became a carpenter, eventually
establishing a small home building
and remodeling business, which he
maintained for 15 years. Then, at age 42,
he decided to go to law school.
"I always had an interest in history
and government affairs," he explains,
"and I was looking for something more
intellectually stimulating and less physically challenging than carpentry."
After graduating from law school,
he spent a year clerking for the chief
justice of the Maine Supreme Court.
When the clerkship ended in 1997, he
began practicing law at Petruccelli,
Martin & Haddow, where, he says, "I've
developed an eclectic practice" that
includes condominium law.
"It's an interesting mix of legal issues
and human dynamics," he says. "You're
helping people solve their problems in
civil ways-to the extent that's possible.
That's what I like most about it."

What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy hiking, golf, carpentry
projects, and I do a lot of reading-
mysteries, but also a lot of nonfiction,
especially history and science.
What would it surprise
people to know about you?
Probably that I don't focus exclusively on condominium law. I also
represent small businesses, handle
real estate transactions, land use law,
probate and estate planning, and I do
some litigation. I also represent people
with intellectual disabilities fighting for
access to services and support in the
community.
If you could give condominium
board members one piece of
legal advice, what would it be?
Understand that the job requires a lot
of work. Strive for transparency. And be
patient-with other board members and
with owners.

Condo Media - March 2017

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