PARTNER

Elliot H. Berton

BIOGRAPHY

Elliot H. Berton focuses his practice on the protection of condominium and homeowners’ associations in state and bankruptcy courts. Drawing on his extensive experience representing banks, financial service companies and other creditors, he advises community association clients on negotiation and documentation of loans, service and other association contracts, assessment recoveries and other financial issues. Elliot also assists associations with transition from declarant control, operational issues, governing document amendments and interpretation, and defense litigation.

Elliot’s efforts for banks and financial institutions include workouts, collection of commercial and residential loans in state and bankruptcy courts, loan sales and acquisitions, real estate matters as well as negotiation and documentation of service contracts.

A frequent lecturer, Elliot has conducted roundtables and presented talks to managers both at seminars and for management companies covering an array of topics including rules enforcement, dealing with a troublesome resident, assessment collection, and borrowing in lieu of special assessments. He has also been a panelist for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute course “Who’s on First? Lien Priority in Pennsylvania,” “What’s On Second? Sophisticated Issues in Line Divestiture & Priority,” and at PBI’s annual Real Estate Institute and Bankruptcy Institute. Elliot has been a featured speaker for the Delaware County Real Estate Committee and has taught collection practices and procedures to attorneys and other professionals.

Court Admissions

Pennsylvania, 1988
U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1988
New Jersey, 1988
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1988
Chester County, PA

Education

Villanova University, J.D., 1988
Penn State University, B.A., Political Science, 1985

Membership & Service

Chester County Bar Association
Delaware County Bar Association
Bankruptcy Conference, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Education Committee

Additional Distinctions

The Best Lawyers in America^®, 2027
Main Line Today “Top Lawyers”
Daily Local News “Top Lawyers”

CREDENTIALS

Court Admissions

Pennsylvania, 1988
U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1988
New Jersey, 1988
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1988
Chester County, PA

Education

Villanova University, J.D., 1988
Penn State University, B.A., Political Science, 1985

Membership & Service

Chester County Bar Association
Delaware County Bar Association
Bankruptcy Conference, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Education Committee

Additional Distinctions

The Best Lawyers in America^®, 2027
Main Line Today “Top Lawyers”
Daily Local News “Top Lawyers”

NEWS & INSIGHTS

Almost 50 Community Association Board Members Join Attorney Elliot Berton for Roundtable Discussion

Should all board meetings be open to community association members? Is there any benefit to having board members sign a code of conduct? These are the types of questions addressed by community association lawyer Elliot Berton during a roundtable discussion hosted by CAMCO community association management.

Chasing Ghosts: Collecting Assessments When the Owner Has Passed Away

It's an uncomfortable topic that's also unflagging in its burden upon community associations: What happens when a unit owner has passed away? Recovering assessments can be challenging in these situations. Community association lawyer Elliot H. Berton recently shared strategies and procedures.

Elliot Berton on Collecting Unpaid Assessments from Unit Owners

Community association lawyer Elliot Berton was the the presenter at a key breakout session for CAI Keystone's Annual Conference "Community Live," the region's premier event for cooperatives, condominiums and homeowners…

Good News: The Unit Owner Has Filed Bankruptcy

If you're part of a homeowners association (HOA), planned community, condominium association or cooperative -- this article is for you. Community Association attorney Elliot H. Berton outlines what exactly happens when a resident files for bankruptcy, and how it affects next steps for your community's board members.

Elliot Berton on Rules Enforcement in Condominium and Homeowners’ Associations

Community association lawyer Elliot H. Berton gave an interactive presentation on April 25, 2025 at the Delaware County Bar Association, where he addressed one of the most vexing and controversial aspects of living in or owning property within a condominium or community association: controlling resident and owner conduct.

Attorney focused on homeowner's protection

(610) 696-8225

eberton@gawthrop.com

PRACTICE AREAS

Distinctions

The Best Lawyers in America^®, 2027
Main Line Today “Top Lawyers”
Daily Local News “Top Lawyers”

Latest News

14 Gawthrop Attorneys Recognized by 2027 Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch

Gawthrop Greenwood is pleased to announce that the following 14 attorneys from our West Chester, Greater Wilmington and Philadelphia offices have been selected by their peers for recognition in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Main Line Today Names All of Gawthrop’s PA Attorneys to “Top Lawyers 2026”

Main Line Today, a regional lifestyle magazine that serves Philadelphia’s western suburbs, has named all of Gawthrop Greenwood's Pennsylvania attorneys to “Top Lawyers 2026.” Each year, attorneys are nominated via peer balloting, then vetted through the publication’s editorial process. Gawthrop Greenwood is once again ranked in multiple practice areas.

Condominium Alert: Significant Changes to Project Requirements

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced significant updates to project standards and property insurance requirements for one- to four-unit properties and condominium developments. These changes will directly impact condominium projects, specifically in how they approach reserve studies and funding levels.

Man in construction uniform standing in front of unfinished building

Grace Period for Projects Designed Under Prior PA UCC Ends

The “grace period” for projects designed under the prior PA UCC has ended as of July 1, 2026. This means that all municipalities and municipal code officials across the Commonwealth, in addition to designers, contractors and builders who work with them, must ensure compliance with the new code.

How Can We Help You?

With offices in West Chester and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as Greater Wilmington, Delaware,
we provide the highest level of legal services throughout the Greater Mid-Atlantic Region.