HarveyM (North Carolina)
Posts: 10
Posts: 10
Posted:
We have a small HOA in Western NC, and would like to establish a relationship with a lawyer, whose practice is at least 25% or greater HOA's. Looking for suggestions.
HarveyM
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Lawyer Recommendations
Started by HarveyM • 12 replies • 1721 views
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We have a small HOA in Western NC, and would like to establish a relationship with a lawyer, whose practice is at least 25% or greater HOA's. Looking for suggestions.
HarveyM
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Harvey,
Welcome to the forum. As posting such recommendations would be in violation of the forums posting rules, you may want to provide an e-mail so that those with recommendations can e-mail you directly.
Since it's understandable that you may not want to post your household e-mail, you might consider making a special e-mail using a free service (hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.) for this purpose and post that e-mail.
Hope this helps,
Tim
Welcome to the forum. As posting such recommendations would be in violation of the forums posting rules, you may want to provide an e-mail so that those with recommendations can e-mail you directly.
Since it's understandable that you may not want to post your household e-mail, you might consider making a special e-mail using a free service (hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.) for this purpose and post that e-mail.
Hope this helps,
Tim
ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208
Posts: 208
Posted:
I had to consult with an attorney (California) when I thought I was going to be stuck with a large repair bill. I received a prompt online recommendation from my state bar association. I spoke to , but never met with the attorney and they called me back promptly.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Perhaps check with the boards of nearby HOAs to see who they recommend. In urban areas, in CA, I believe that most HOAs select general counsel from firms that specialize almost entirely in HOAs, but may be hard to find in W. NC.
CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457
Posts: 457
Posted:
In order for you to find a competent attorney, you yourself have to have a fairly strong understanding of your State and County Code and as well your own documents. Lawyers are bottom feeders because they feed on the fact that you don't know anything about what it is you need their help for.
Then and only then will you know if you have a competent one. You can also set up a consultation that is either free or not, one called it a "tea and cookies" meet and greet. When she said she couldn't find anything on our HOA, and I pulled out all of the information I found on file and showed her, we knew she was not for us. Best $50 we ever spent! So if you did that with three to five lawyers, you may find one you can sort of trust to know what they are doing. They don't care really because who will take a lawyer to court?
Then and only then will you know if you have a competent one. You can also set up a consultation that is either free or not, one called it a "tea and cookies" meet and greet. When she said she couldn't find anything on our HOA, and I pulled out all of the information I found on file and showed her, we knew she was not for us. Best $50 we ever spent! So if you did that with three to five lawyers, you may find one you can sort of trust to know what they are doing. They don't care really because who will take a lawyer to court?
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
Try searching martindale.com. Search by geography, law firm, lawyer, specialty. Search "Homeowners Association" and "Condominium association" - they're classified under Real Estate. You'll miss some of the smaller firms, but most of the larger firms are listed.
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Understand your going to need a lawyer for different needs. So if your going to hire a "catch all attorney" then make sure they practice in that arena. I advise to avoid Real Estate attorney's. The HOA is a corporation. It doesn't really deal with Real Estate. Although there are times where their expertise may apply, but mostly you need an attorney that practices general, corporate, contractual, or HOA laws.
General rule of thumb... If the lawyer says "I will do whatever you tell me to do" either walk away, ask more questions, or do more research on options. That usually puts up a red flag to me that there are other legal options available which are either cheaper, smarter, stronger, or available.
General rule of thumb... If the lawyer says "I will do whatever you tell me to do" either walk away, ask more questions, or do more research on options. That usually puts up a red flag to me that there are other legal options available which are either cheaper, smarter, stronger, or available.
Former HOA President
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 3,868
Posts: 3,868
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MelissaP1 on 08/31/2015 7:46 AM
Understand your going to need a lawyer for different needs. So if your going to hire a "catch all attorney" then make sure they practice in that arena. I advise to avoid Real Estate attorney's. The HOA is a corporation. It doesn't really deal with Real Estate. Although there are times where their expertise may apply, but mostly you need an attorney that practices general, corporate, contractual, or HOA laws.
General rule of thumb... If the lawyer says "I will do whatever you tell me to do" either walk away, ask more questions, or do more research on options. That usually puts up a red flag to me that there are other legal options available which are either cheaper, smarter, stronger, or available.
Understand your going to need a lawyer for different needs. So if your going to hire a "catch all attorney" then make sure they practice in that arena. I advise to avoid Real Estate attorney's. The HOA is a corporation. It doesn't really deal with Real Estate. Although there are times where their expertise may apply, but mostly you need an attorney that practices general, corporate, contractual, or HOA laws.
General rule of thumb... If the lawyer says "I will do whatever you tell me to do" either walk away, ask more questions, or do more research on options. That usually puts up a red flag to me that there are other legal options available which are either cheaper, smarter, stronger, or available.
Is there an area of law called "Catch-All"?
An HOA is "maybe" a corporation comprised of what? Real Estate!
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RichardP13 on 08/31/2015 8:25 AM
An HOA is "maybe" a corporation comprised of what? Real Estate!
An HOA is "maybe" a corporation comprised of what? Real Estate!
As Richard says, Real Estate is the general classification the HOA law falls under. It is a further specialization, but RE is at the heart of all HOA issues.
In my state and also in Melissa's state, HOA statutes are grouped under RE or Property.
BTW, the martindale site (see prior post) allows a law firm to identify all of its areas of practice. So by looking at the list, you can get a feel for where their focus is.
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
GeorgeR8 (Arizona)
Posts: 182
Posts: 182
Posted:
Our association's law firm of 12 attorneys only represent HOAs. The attorney we are assigned depends on the problem such as do we need one of the CC&R guys or another attorney for whatever they specialize in. I would recommend trying to find a similar firm if possible.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Harvey
When I Google "community association lawyers, nc" I get quite a few hits. Start there.
When I Google "community association lawyers, nc" I get quite a few hits. Start there.
ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208
Posts: 208
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC46 on 08/31/2015 12:36 PM
Harvey
When I Google "community association lawyers, nc" I get quite a few hits. Start there.
Harvey
When I Google "community association lawyers, nc" I get quite a few hits. Start there.
I would never select an attorney this way!
BobD4 (up north)
Posts: 1,002
Posts: 1,002
Posted:
HarveyM ((N Carolina) : " We have a small HOA in Western NC, and would like to establish a relationship with a lawyer, whose practice is at least 25% or greater HOA's. Looking for suggestions."
Did you canvass other HOAs /condo corps in the general area ? Does your state bar association list registrants by area of specialty ? ( Does it publicize disciplining such registrants ?)
While looking for that you might also look for a qualified mediator with skillsets derived from mediating condo/HOA disputes.
Did you canvass other HOAs /condo corps in the general area ? Does your state bar association list registrants by area of specialty ? ( Does it publicize disciplining such registrants ?)
While looking for that you might also look for a qualified mediator with skillsets derived from mediating condo/HOA disputes.
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