Paul C. DeSantis – Attorney
Paul DeSantis has practiced real estate law for over thirty years, with an emphasis on condominium subdivisions and homeowners associations in Southern California. Paul assists owners and homeowners associations in addressing several new challenges, including:
- Permissible methods to protect the value of condominiums with proper leasing restrictions,
- The new rights and obligations to allow “service animals” and “comfort pets,”
- Controlling Airbnb-type uses,
- Limits on allowing–and restricting–smoking and marijuana use,
- Implementing the new mandatory provisions in the new Davis-Stirling Act
- Working to resolve disputes between homeowners and the association
Paul’s expertise includes real estate development, subdivisions, advising on purchase and sales, land use planning, and the entitlement process. Paul has provided legal services to form approximately 300 condominium projects, including both new construction and condominium conversions, and has experience advising both homeowners associations and homeowners on the Davis-Stirling Act and other homeowners association issues.
In 1984, Paul co-authored with Santa Monica Mayor Dennis Zane, the City of Santa Monica Tenant’s Ownership Rights Charter Amendment that provided for the conversion of apartment buildings to condominiums. The voters enacted Article XX to the Santa Monica City Charter Amendment by more than a two-thirds majority in 1984.
Paul received a J.D. from the Georgetown University, a M.A. from the SUNY at Stony Brook, and a B.A. from Syracuse University. Paul was admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Iowa. He also is a licensed California Real Estate Broker. Prior to beginning his legal practice, DeSantis served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Fourth Infantry Division, Vietnam.
Paul has made time to volunteer for a variety of community activities, including his dedication to affordable housing. He has served for over twenty-five years on the Board of Directors of Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a leading California non-profit housing provider, where he is a member and serves as Vice-Chair.
Paul DeSantis
310-451-1070 – ext 1
pauldesantis@desantiscondolaw.com
Betty C. Sandoval – BRE/DRE Compliance Paralegal
Our California Bureau of Real Estate Subdivision Processing expert, Betty has been with the firm for 28 years. An experienced project processing expert, Betty excels at preparing and expediting project applications through the Bureau of Real Estate for both new and conversion condominium projects, as well as handling the renewal of previously approved projects.
Betty attended Santa Monica College and UCLA with a focus on Psychology and Business. She worked in banking for nine years, and served as a bank Operations Manager and Branch Manager prior to joining our firm in 1990.
Betty has also been a licensed Realtor since 2000. CA BRE license 01302070
Betty Sandoval
310-451-1070 – ext 3
bettycsandoval@yahoo.com
Richard Mills – Master Subdivision Paralegal
A Condominium and Homeowners Association expert with over 35 years of experience, Rick coordinates project scheduling and oversees major document preparation, including initial preparation of Association CC&Rs and Bylaws.
With a Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University in Urban Planning and a Master’s Degree in City Planning from U.C. Berkeley, Rick has ten years experience in the public sector, working in local government planning and zoning with the Cities of Simi Valley, Pasadena and Santa Monica. In addition, Rick has been a licensed Realtor since 2000. A past Chairperson of the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board, Rick is currently an Elected Neighborhood Representative on the Pacific Palisades Community Council.
Rick has also been a licensed Realtor since 2000. CA BRE license 01302069
Rick Mills
310-451-1070 – ext 2
rickmills@desantiscondolaw.com