Ronald J. Perl, Esq. partner-in-charge of Hill Wallack’s community associations and eminent domain practice groups in Princeton, N.J., has been awarded the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award, the most prestigious honor given by the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). Perl accepted the award on Jan. 25 during the 2019 Community Association Law Seminar in New Orleans.

(Left to right) Ronald J. Perl, Esq. receives the CCAL Lifetime Achievement Award from Matt D. Ober, Esq. president of the 2019 CCAL Board of Governors.

The award recognizes attorneys who exhibit exceptional leadership in the field of community association law.

For the past 40 years, Perl has devoted his career to the community association industry and to Community Associations Institute (CAI). He served as president of the New Jersey chapter in 1986 and president of CAI National in 2007. Perl was inducted as a CCAL fellow in 1994. In addition, he served as president of the Foundation for Community Association Research, member of the New Jersey Political Action Committee, and commissioner on the Community Association Managers International Certification Board. He has chaired CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Committee, the Federal Legislative Action Committee, and the national Business Partners Council.

The Lifetime Contribution Award was created in 2009 in honor of Gurdon “Don” Buck, a pioneer and innovator in the field of community association law who died in 2008. Among his many achievements, Buck, a senior partner in what would eventually become Robinson & Cole, LLP, devoted countless hours to the betterment of common-interest communities with his service and contributions through education and scholarly writings for CAI and other organizations.

Through this award, CCAL ensures that Buck’s spirit, devotion, and commitment to the community association industry remain alive. The Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award is awarded periodically at the discretion of the CCAL Board of Governors. Perl is the eighth recipient of the award.

Denise Lash, founder and president of the CAI Canada Chapter, congratulated Perl on his award and his exceptional leadership in the field of community association law. “Many years ago, I connected with Ron as a Canadian attorney trying to find my way in this new and exciting field of association law. Ron provided guidance, support, and expertise for my own law practice at a time that I was struggling with career decisions. He welcomed me as the “Canadian” to the CAI family, spending much of his free time making those important introductions that resulted in the creation of the CAI Canada Chapter.”

For more information on the College of Community Association Lawyers, visit CAIonline.org.