About Michael Gelfand

MICHAEL J. GELFAND, dual Florida Bar Board Certified, in Real Estate Law and in Condominium and Planned Development Law, is also a Certified Circuit and County Civil Court Mediator, a Homeowners’ Association Mediator, an Arbitrator, and a Parliamentarian.

Emphasizing a community association law practice, counseling associations and owners how to set legitimate goals and how to effectively achieve those goals, Michael is the senior partner of Gelfand & Arpe, P.A., located in West Palm Beach.

Mr. Gelfand is a Past Chair of The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, the Bar’s largest section with over 10,000 members. He served as the Section’s Real Property Division Director and chaired its Legislative Review Committee, and its Condominium and Planned Development Committee, now leading its long-range strategic planning initiative.  He also chaired the Palm Beach County Bar’s Community Association Law Continuing Legal Education Committee.

Serving many terms as Special Master for the City of Boca Raton and chairing the City’s Builders Board of Adjustment and Appeals, he received a City Proclamation for “interpretation and application, and his overall professionalism and dedication to the City.”  A gubernatorial appointee to the Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, he co-owned ARC Mediation, Palm Beach County’s largest mediation and arbitration firm.

Michael Gelfand is a sought-after community association law commentator, including presentations for the American Bar Association, American Legal Institute, American College of Real Estate Lawyers, The Florida Bar, the University of Miami and the Chautauqua Institute, among others.

His acclaimed writings include “The Plaza East Trilogy: Not a Nursery Rhyme, but Scary Warfare”, The Florida Bar Journal, analyzing the collision between hurricanes and Florida’s condominium property insurance legislation.  The Florida Bar has published his works including “Alternate Dispute Resolution, Arbitration and Mediation” and “Condominium and Homeowner Association Liens” and many statutory updates.

Mr. Gelfand’s national recognition includes induction into the College of Community Association Lawyers, and as a Fellow of the renowned American College of Real Estate Lawyers, including serving as Chair of ACREL’s Common Interest Ownership Committee.

Michael Gelfand believes in personal community involvement, encouraging all to become involved in their communities and in mentoring.  A recipient of the Palm Beach County Pro Bono Child Advocate of the Year Award, his public-school volunteer efforts include serving as the real estate/construction specialist attorney on the Palm Beach County School District’s Construction Oversight and Review Committee, and as a magistrate for the District’s Law Magnet Program. He also chaired the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County, Florida.