Karen E. Maller

Partner

A trusted advisor to more than 120 active associations, Karen E. Maller is recognized for her ability to combine legal precision with practical, real-world guidance that helps boards govern confidently and effectively.

Ms. Maller’s practice is focused primarily on association law—a niche she has cultivated since the early years of her career. Today, she represents both residential and commercial associations in all aspects of governance, budgeting, compliance, and dispute resolution. Her work spans collections and foreclosures, covenant enforcement, construction and contract disputes, and the drafting and amendment of governing documents to ensure compliance with Florida law.

Clients value Ms. Maller’s accessibility, responsiveness, and hands-on approach. She works closely with volunteer board members and property managers who shoulder significant responsibilities, helping them navigate issues efficiently while maintaining community harmony. Beyond her legal role, she serves as a bridge between associations and the network of professionals who support them—property managers, contractors, and trade experts—ensuring that each client has the resources and knowledge needed to make sound decisions.

Before joining Johnson Pope, Ms. Maller was a named partner at Powell, Carney, Maller, P.A., one of St. Petersburg’s most respected boutique firms, known for its concentration in real estate and association law. When the firm joined Johnson Pope in 2021, Ms. Maller brought her extensive client base and reputation for steady, reliable counsel to a broader platform, enhancing the firm’s service to Florida’s real estate and community association sectors.

Representative Matters

• General Counsel to More Than 120 Associations: Serves as ongoing legal counsel to both business and residential associations, including condominiums, homeowners, cooperatives, and mobile home associations throughout Florida, providing day-to-day guidance on governance, compliance, and operations.

• Governing Document Amendments: Drafts and implements large-scale restatements and amendments to governing documents to align associations with current Florida statutes and best practices.

• Collections and Foreclosures: Recovers delinquent assessments, fines, and related debts through negotiated litigation when necessary, protecting the financial health of associations.

• Covenant and Rule Enforcement: Represents associations in arbitration and litigation involving violations of covenants, restrictions, and rules, ensuring consistent enforcement and community integrity.

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• United States District Court (Middle District of Florida)
• United States Court of Appeals (Eleventh Circuit)

• The United States Supreme Court

Education

• State University of New York at Albany, B.A.

• State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D.

Awards & Recognition

• A/V Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Community & Professional Organizations

• Florida Bar Association
  • Member, 1989 – Present
• St. Petersburg Bar Association
  • Member
• Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (PFAWL)

  • Member

Outside the Office

Ms. Maller remains actively involved in Florida’s community association landscape, frequently participating in association board meetings, lunch-and-learn programs, and continuing education sessions for managers and volunteer leaders.

As a long-time member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Ms. Maller contributes to the strength of the local legal community she has called home for nearly four decades.