bar-admissions: California

Monya Cohen

Associate

Monya Cohen, an associate at the Firm, focuses on community association and insurance defense litigation, along with general counsel services. Her practice encompasses interpreting governing documents, covenant enforcement, and providing legal representation to HOAs. Monya earned her J.D. from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. She gained valuable experience through clerkships at the Firm, honing skills in diverse legal areas like contract disputes, real estate, and corporate liability. With a certificate in trial advocacy, Monya’s background includes externships with various legal offices and active roles in Moot Court and the Corporate and Business Law Journal.

Office Locations

Overview

Monya Cohen is an associate in the Firm’s community association litigation, insurance defense litigation and general counsel practice. Her practice involves assisting HOAs in governing document interpretation and amendment, covenant enforcements and general counsel representation. Monya received her J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

While in law school, Monya clerked for two summers at the Firm, where she was able to acquaint herself with all aspects of the Firm’s practice, including: drafting demand letters, pleadings, and memoranda concerning contract disputes, general and corporate liability, real estate, foreclosures, and more.

Monya was an O’Connor Merit Scholar and graduated with a certificate in trial advocacy. She also held several legal externships, including with the Maricopa County Superior Court, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Phoenix Division. Additionally, Monya was an oral advocate and brief writer for the Vis Moot Court Team as well as a Managing Editor for the Corporate and Business Law Journal.

Monya is originally from Indiana where she grew up a Hoosier sports fan. In her spare time, Monya enjoys bouldering, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Education
  • Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law at Arizona State University, JD
  • Indiana University Bloomington, BS
Professional Memberships
  • Community Associations Institute (CAI)
  • Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM)
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association
  • Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association
  • Young Lawyers Division
Awards
  • Fall and Spring 2020 Willard H. Pedrick Scholar Award
  • Dean’s Award for Academic Performance and Contributions to the College of Law

Michelle Wellnitz Taylor

Partner

Michelle Wellnitz Taylor, a Partner in CHDB Law’s Phoenix office, boasts a diverse practice ranging from community association and condominium general counsel and litigation to business law, litigation, and securities law. Michelle engages in a variable practice, including community association and condominium general counsel and litigation, business law and litigation, and securities law. As a Certified Public Accountant in both California and Arizona, Michelle brings a unique skill set to her legal practice.

Office Locations

Overview

Michelle Wellnitz Taylor joined the firm’s Phoenix office in 2019 where she works as a Partner in the firm’s general counsel practice. Michelle engages in a variable practice, including community association and condominium general counsel and litigation, business law and litigation, and securities law. She has experience defending creditors, in commercial law litigation, arising from the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Prior to joining the firm, Michelle worked for a corporate transactional law firm in Santa Monica, California. She also worked for Deloitte in Los Angeles in the firm’s audit department where she specialized in private equity real estate clients. Michelle is a Certified Public Accountant in both California and Arizona.

Michelle earned her law degree from Pepperdine University where she served as the editor-in-chief of the law school’s Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary. She also externed for the honorable Stephen V. Wilson at the US District Court for the Central District of California. At Pepperdine, Michelle participated in the law school’s Investor Advocacy Clinic, which provides pro bono assistance to low-income clients in arbitrating their federal securities claims before FINRA. Prior to law school, Michelle graduated cum laude from USC where she double majored: earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from USC’s Leventhal School of Accounting.

Michelle is originally from Arizona and is an avid football fan. You will find her rooting for the USC Trojans, Michigan Wolverines, and Arizona Cardinals. In the offseason, Michelle enjoys skiing, traveling with her family, and raising her baby girl with her husband and two cats.

Education
  • Pepperdine University School of Law, JD
  • University of Southern California, BS
Professional Memberships
  • Community Associations Institute (CAI)
  • Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM)
Publications and Media

Erin McManis

Partner

Erin McManis, with prior specialization in homeowner association law, brings comprehensive experience to CHDB Law. Proficient in assessment collections, covenant enforcement, governing document interpretation, and general counsel matters, she offers adept advice on construction contracts, lien issues, and subcontractor concerns. Erin also excels in representing housing cooperatives and creditors in commercial law litigation involving the FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA. She frequently trains new Board members and addresses community audiences on homeowner association topics.

Office Locations

Overview

Prior to joining CHDB Law, Erin McManis worked for several years in law firms specializing in representing homeowner associations. Erin has significant experience with assessment collections, covenant enforcement, governing document interpretation and other general counsel issues. Erin also advises clients on construction contracts, to make sure clients understand all applicable lien issues, progress payments, termination procedures, and legal concerns involving subcontractors. Erin also has significant experience representing housing cooperatives in litigation and general counsel matters.

Erin’s experience also extends to defending creditors, in commercial law litigation, including class actions, arising from the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Erin regularly provides training to new members of the Board of Directors, and speaks throughout the community on various homeowner association topics.

Erin grew up in rural Missouri and received her law degree from Creighton University. In her free time, she enjoys watching the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, Erin volunteers with Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

Erin is licensed to practice law in Arizona and California, as well as the Federal District Courts in Arizona and California.

Education
  • Creighton University School of Law, JD
  • Truman State University, BA
Professional Memberships
  • Community Associations Institute (CAI)
  • Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM)
  • The Leadership Centre

Seminars

May 7, 2024

What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You

There are over 225 state laws that have the potential to regulate your community association. How well do you really know them?

May 2, 2023

What would you do?

Back by popular demand – Arizona’s hot topics seminar presented in an entertaining and interactive format.

April 4, 2023

Vendors, Contracts & Liens Oh My!!

Do I need a contract with every vendor? What type of insurance should a vendor carry? Why did I get a lien notice? Where did our money go? What is indemnity and why is it important? How can I make a vendor fix their subpar work? We received a notice of lien, now what? These […]