Ann O’Connell

Ann O’Connell

Attorney · UC Berkeley School of Law

Ann O’Connell is a legal editor at Nolo specializing in landlord-tenant and real estate law. She writes for Nolo.com, Lawyers.com, and Avvo. Ann is a coauthor of Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, which won a silver Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association in 2020, and Nolo’s Every Landlord’s Legal Guide.

Legal career. Before joining Nolo as an editor, Ann was a freelance writer for Nolo as well as other publications and law firms. Ann practiced civil litigation in California and Colorado, and had her own firm in Colorado. At her firm, she focused on real estate, landlord-tenant, and small business cases. 

Credentials. Ann earned her B.A. from Boston College and her J.D. from UC Berkeley Law. She has passed the bar exams in California, Nevada, and Colorado, where she is both an active attorney and a real estate broker.

Landlord-tenant law. Ann’s favorite part of writing about landlord-tenant matters is the opportunity to help tenants—who often find it difficult to afford or hire a lawyer to represent them—understand and assert their rights. Ann’s research and writing on coronavirus-related eviction bans and tenant rights has been cited by numerous news outlets and government agencies, including Yahoo Finance, CNET, Fannie Mae, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Articles By Ann O’Connell

Home Buyers: What Documents to Expect at Your Close of Escrow
Before you're knee-deep in paperwork, familiarize yourself with what you'll be reviewing or signing.
Required Landlord Disclosures
Landlords who don't make the disclosures required by federal, state, and local laws might be subject to fines, lawsuits, and other penalties.
Overview of Landlord-Tenant Laws in Delaware
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Delaware will get you started.
Overview of Landlord-Tenant Laws in Arizona
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Arizona will get you started.
Overview of Landlord-Tenant Laws in Alabama
A summary of Alabama's landlord-tenant laws on topics such as tenant screening, security deposits, required landlord disclosures, late fees, and other rent rules.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in Alaska
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law. This overview of key landlord-tenant laws in Alaska will get you started.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in California
Both landlords and tenants should be able to deal with many legal questions and problems without a lawyer, once they understand the basics of state law.
Overview of Landlord-Tenant Laws in Arkansas
Find out about key laws every Arkansas landlord and tenant needs to know.
Landlord-Tenant Laws in Colorado
Navigating Colorado landlord-tenant law can seem daunting, but in reality, a basic understanding of the state’s laws is enough to help both landlords and tenants solve most issues they face—without a lawyer.
State Laws on Security Deposit Limits
A state-by-state breakdown of each state's security deposit limits.