DC Law Firm Partners with Housing Association for Legal Support

What Happened

The Small Multifamily Owners Association (SMOA) announced on March 9, 2026, that it has named The Law Office of Brian Gormley, LLC as its official legal partner. This partnership provides specialized legal services to SMOA's 14,000 independent rental property owners across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

The partnership focuses on landlord-tenant litigation, regulatory compliance, lease drafting and review, eviction proceedings, and real estate transactions. SMOA represents one of the region's largest organized networks of small housing providers operating in Washington, D.C.'s complex regulatory environment.

Attorney Brian Gormley's firm specializes in real estate and estate planning law, representing landlords, property owners, and renters in both litigation and transactional matters. The partnership comes during a period of heightened regulatory and legislative activity affecting rental property owners in the District of Columbia.

What It Means

This partnership highlights the increasing complexity facing property owners in the District of Columbia, particularly in estate planning contexts. When rental property owners pass away, their estates often face significant challenges during probate proceedings, especially given D.C.'s regulatory framework and tenant protections.

Property owners in D.C. must navigate not only standard estate planning considerations but also complex landlord-tenant laws that can affect how rental properties transfer to heirs or beneficiaries. The District's Rental Housing Act and rent stabilization framework create additional layers of complexity when putting rental properties in trusts or planning for their distribution through wills.

For estate planning purposes, D.C. property owners face unique challenges. The District's $80,000§ 20-351Verified May 30, 2026 small estate threshold may not cover many rental properties, requiring full probate proceedings that can take 12 monthsD.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)Verified May 30, 2026 to 18 monthsD.C. Code § 20-751 (PR fees), § 20-753 (attorney fees) (verified from code.dccouncil.gov)Verified May 30, 2026 to complete. During this time, rental properties must continue operating under D.C.'s strict regulatory requirements, creating additional administrative burdens for executors and trustees.

The partnership also reflects the growing recognition that real estate-heavy estates require specialized legal expertise. D.C. requires surety bonds for executors, though wills can waive this requirement. For estates containing multiple rental properties, these bonds can represent significant costs, typically around 0.5%D.C. Code § 20-502Verified May 30, 2026 of the estate value.

Estate planning attorneys working with rental property owners must understand both traditional estate planning tools and the specific regulatory environment affecting D.C. rental properties. This includes ensuring that revocable living trusts properly address tenant relationships, lease obligations, and regulatory compliance requirements that survive the property owner's death.

Context from SimplyTrust

Property owners, whether residential or commercial, benefit from comprehensive estate planning that addresses both asset protection and operational continuity. Calculating potential probate costs helps property owners understand the financial impact on their estates and beneficiaries. For D.C. property owners, avoiding probate through proper trust planning becomes even more critical given the regulatory complexity surrounding rental properties.

The partnership between SMOA and The Law Office of Brian Gormley demonstrates the importance of working with attorneys who understand both estate planning fundamentals and the specific legal environment affecting your assets. Comprehensive estate planning for property owners requires addressing not just asset transfer but also ensuring business continuity and regulatory compliance during the transition period.

Source: SMOA Names The Law Office of Brian Gormley as Official Legal Partner