Kathleen W. Panagis

Kathleen's practice is devoted to representing Virginia community associations. Community associations rely on Kathleen's unique knowledge of the law to provide comprehensive and strategic guidance on the spectrum of legal issues associations encounter.

She has extensive experience in interpreting governing documents and applicable statutes, providing guidance on corporate governance and procedures, preparing amendments to governing documents, counseling on and addressing fair housing issues, responding to complaints processed by the CICB Ombudsman, negotiating contracts, and conducting tailor-made trainings for boards of directors, committees, and managers. For specialized issues that community associations may face, such as litigation, construction projects, financing, or cybersecurity, Kathleen collaborates with the deep bench of attorneys at Woods Rogers so that such matters are handled efficiently and effectively.

In addition to her vast knowledge of the various laws that impact community associations, Kathleen also intertwines such understanding with a commonsense approach.

Kathleen is an active member in the Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (SEVA-CAI). She frequently teaches at chapter events and regularly authors articles for the chapter.  Kathleen serves as a member of SEVA-CAI’s Board of Directors and currently serves as Vice-President. She has previously received SEVA-CAI’s Rising Star Award in 2016, CA Day Committee’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2017, Committee of the Year Award in 2018, Communications Committee’s Co-Volunteer of the Year Award in 2020, Author of the Year in 2021, and Speaker of the Year 2023.

• Interpreting governing documents, including declaration, bylaws, articles of incorporation, architectural standards, and rules and regulations, and applicable statutory and regulatory authorities.
• Preparing amendments to governing documents and provide strategic guidance on obtaining necessary approvals.
• Counseling on corporate governance compliance, including open meeting requirements, executive session procedures, notifications of meetings, voting, proxies, and electronic meetings.
• Guidance on covenants enforcement, including due process procedures, self-help, and judicial proceedings.
• Addressing fair housing issues, including allegations of discrimination, reasonable accommodation and modification requests, trainings, and defending fair housing complaints
• Responding to complaints filed with the Common Interest Community Ombudsman -Negotiate contracts, including construction, landscaping, pool services, and management.

Recognition

2023 SEVA-CAI Speaker of the Year

2021 SEVA-CAI Author of the Year

2020 SEVA-CAI Communications Committee’s Volunteer of the Year Award

2018 SEVA-CAI Recipient of Committee of the Year Award as Co-Chair

2017 SEVA-CAI CA Day Committee’s Volunteer of the Year Award

2016 SEVA-CAI Rising Star Award

Education

Widener University School of Law, J.D.

William & Mary, B.A.

Admissions

• Approved Course Instructor for Common Interest Community Board-Approved Fair Housing Laws Training and Virginia Law and Regulations training for CIC Managers
• Community Associations Institute, Central Virginia Chapter 
• Community Associations Institute, Southeastern Virginia Chapter (SEVA-CAI)
  • Member of the Board of Directors (January 2022-present)
  • Member, Executive Committee for the Board of Directors (January 2022-present)
  • Vice President (January 2023-December 2024)
  • Communications Committee Member (2020-present)
  • Programs Committee Co-chair (2018-2019)
  • Education Subcommittee for CA Day Co-chair (2018)
  • Frequent educational speaker, SEVA-CAI events
  • Regular author, SEVA-CAI Currents magazine
• Virginia State Bar, Real Estate Section, Common Interest Community Subcommittee