Richard Salpietra graduated with Honors from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Bachelor of Science degree.  He received his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California.

Richard Salpietra is not only an attorney, but also a licensed architect in the states of California, Florida and Nevada. He is also a licensed general contractor in California. His extensive background and experience in the construction industry give him a unique breadth of knowledge rarely found in a law firm. His background makes him particularly qualified in the areas of design review services for architectural review committees and association architectural/construction issues.

Mr. Salpietra holds the following licenses/certificates:

• Attorney, California 1997
• Licensed Architect, California 1987
• Licensed Architect, Florida 1991
• Licensed Architect, Nevada 1996
• NCARB Certificate Holder 1988
• B Contractors License 590950, California 1990
• Certified Mediator, State of California Dispute Resolution Program Act
• Commercial and Construction Mediation Panelist for Arbitration Works

Richard Salpietra is a member of the State Bar of California and the San Diego County Bar Association, including the Construction Law and Real Property Law Sections. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Bar Association of Northern San Diego County.

Richard Salpietra also is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) of the Community Association Institute (CAI). CCAL is a prestigious group of CAI member attorneys who have distinguished themselves through contributions to community association law and who have committed themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct. Mr. Salpietra is also a member of CCAL's Amicus Curiae Advisory Group.

As an active member of the CAI San Diego Chapter, Mr. Salpietra is on the Executive Board of CAI San Diego Chapter. Mr. Salpietra previously served on the Board of Directors for eight years and was the president in 2003 and 2009. He has served on various committees, and has been a presenter at many chapter events. He is also a past director of the Baker/Dolnick Education Foundation.

Mr. Salpietra is a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and a member of the Attorneys Information Exchange Group (AIEG).

Richard Salpietra has published numerous writings related to community association law and related construction issues.

Published Writings Include:

• "Mold in Residential Construction" – published in West's Construction Litigation Reporter, Common Assessment Magazine (published by Community Associations Institute) and North County Lawyer (published by the Bar Association of Northern San Diego County).
• "Swimsuits & Lawsuits" – regarding pool rules in homeowners associations - published in Common Assessment Magazine.
• "Dealing with Difficult People" - published in Common Assessment Magazine.
• "Megan's Law: Can Community Associations Ban Sex Offenders?" – published in Common Assessment Magazine.
• "Megan's Law Follow-Up" – published in Common Assessment Magazine.
• "Oops I Did It Again" – regarding slip and fall cases in homeowners' associations – published in Common Assessment Magazine.
• "Hail to the Defenders of Truth and Beauty" – regarding the powers of Architectural Review Committees – published in Common Assessment Magazine.

Presentations Include:

• a one-day course entitled "California Common-Interest Development Law Seminar," sponsored by CAI, to community managers, board members, homeowners living in community associations, and attorneys. It covers a wide range of topics and is taught semiannually. It is certified by the State Bar for MCLE credits and by the Department of Real Estate for credit toward the titling of community managers.
• seminars regarding new legislation pertaining to water conservation.