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MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
My HOA is just awful, a group of us has tried so many times to improve things. Our board is extremely resistant to reforms and decency and will not engage with us.

We are ready to consult with attorneys. We believe our HOA is flagrantly violating Texas Property Statutes 81 and 82 and we want to fully exercise our rights under the business organizations code to influence the board. We also want to amend our bylaws which are enabling the abuse. We are also open to stuff we haven't thought of. What can an expert attorney do that we haven't thought of?

In my experience, most attorneys are happy to start big old lawsuits so they can fund their lifestyle, they are happy to win or lose. That is NOT what I'm looking for. I'm looking for an attorney who values frugality and likes to WIN.

Please tell me WHY you like the attorney you recommend.
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,393
Posted:
-- This forum prohibits naming specific attorneys (or other for-profit entities).

-- The most competent HOA attorneys will tell you that the least expensive, and often quickest, way to bring about HOA/COA change is to run for the board.

-- Is your board not running fair elections? If so, that's what I would troubleshoot, and yes, possibly using an attorney.
MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
I'm about to restart a campaign and two of us ran last year. 1) They violated Texas Biz Org code 22 by not sharing the list of members with us when we requested 2) They kept the meeting notice as stealthy as possible. Unlike other meetings it was not on the calendar, no email was sent. Only USPS. 2) Then when we got in the room they said "oh sorry, we don't have a quorum so there is no meeting (which violates our bylaws and Texas Law) and no election"

Other stuff: No audit since 2022 even though the president said in another meeting she agrees it's the law and they are working on it, decline to let us inspect records. We have no way to verify the association financial status at this moment. They are not caring for the property. Writing violations for things that are not rules, No customer service, no communication. Expressing malice toward unit owners who ask questions...

If naming attorneys is not allowed, please share advice. How to find a good attorney? or what else can we do?
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,393
Posted:
I'm about to restart a campaign and two of us ran last year. 1) They violated Texas Biz Org code 22 by not sharing the list of members with us when we requested 2) They kept the meeting notice as stealthy as possible. Unlike other meetings it was not on the calendar, no email was sent. Only USPS. 2) Then when we got in the room they said "oh sorry, we don't have a quorum so there is no meeting (which violates our bylaws and Texas Law) and no election"
AFAIC the above is a good, focused list.

Not sharing the members list is a darn big deal, for one.

Google on:

HOA attorneys Texas

I got a lot of hits with just this googling.

Want to say what the nearest large city is?

TimB4 (Virginia)
Posts: 20,986
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MrTexaS1 on 08/28/2026, 3:16 PM

1) They violated Texas Biz Org code 22 by not sharing the list of members with us when we requested
2) They kept the meeting notice as stealthy as possible. Unlike other meetings it was not on the calendar, no email was sent. Only USPS.
2) Then when we got in the room they said "oh sorry, we don't have a quorum so there is no meeting (which violates our bylaws and Texas Law) and no election"
Other stuff: No audit since 2022 even though the president said in another meeting she agrees it's the law and they are working on it, decline to let us inspect records. We have no way to verify the association financial status at this moment.
They are not caring for the property.
Writing violations for things that are not rules, No customer service, no communication. Expressing malice toward unit owners who ask questions...

1) You should have received a membership list (as outlined in corporate law - expecting your association is incorporated.)
However, visiting the local property records office would identify who are members and their mailing addresses.
2) The Association is not required to send info by email. Our attorney said we should always send meeting notices by USPS and, if desired, reminders via email.
3) Per corporate law, a quorum is required to conduct business (hold elections). So, that is in compliance with the law.
4) Audits - requires money. An audit can easily cost between 3 and 5 thousand. If the property isn't being maintained, I would think it would be better to spend the money on maintenance vs. an audit.
5) Who is writing violations (a Board member or a management company)? There are management companies that make a lot of money issuing citations (it all depends on how the contract is written).
6) No customer service? A board is there to make decisions for the Associations - they do are not required to reply to every request in a timely manner. Associations move slowly and it can take a month or more to resolve issues.
Can you be more specific (just one specific issue - not generalizations)?
7) No communication? Technically, boards are only required to inform the membership about things at the annual meeting. Some will have newsletters. Some will have a website (that may or may not be updated).
Serving on the Board is a voluntary position and most volunteers have matters other than the Association requiring their attention and time.
8) Expressing Malice - well, depending on how someone approaches the board (accusing or offering to help) or if they are constantly complaining about things individuals get worn down and simply don't want to put up with it anymore so they quit responding.
How are you approaching the Board?

What to do, what to do - the options are simple:
1) Become informed (attend board meetings if you can to hear what is going on). Read up on applicable law (corporate and property). Read what info is being provided, including all of the governing documents and understand what they are telling you.
2) Look at issues from different perspectives (you don't have to agree with a specific perspective but it can be beneficial in understanding)
3) Gather support - knock on doors, and talk to neighbors and share what you have learned.
4) Offer to help - gather bids, publish a newsletter, etc. anything to help the board and, in the process, gain knowledge of the issues.
5) Prior to the next membership meeting, gather proxies to make sure that their is a quorum.

You can also write your local representative and ask that they create an ombudsmans office with fining capability OR write a bill allowing HOA complaints in small claims court.

You can always contact a local attorney to see about your legal options.
Look for one versed in corporate law instead of HOA/property law.

The internet is your friend when looking for attorneys.
Find a case where someone had legal issues with their hoa and won - court documents will give you the name of the attorney representing them.

Hope this helps.

TIm


MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ElleN on 08/28/2026, 3:32 PM


Want to say what the nearest large city is?


Houston, Harris County
MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 08/28/2026, 3:53 PM

.....What to do, what to do - the options are simple:1) Become informed (attend board meetings if you can to hear what is going on). Read up on applicable law (corporate and property). Read what info is being provided, including ....
TIm


Tim we are already doing that stuff in a positive way with a growing group.

I'm increasingly convinced this is an extreme situation due to the board being difficult, non-responsive, evasive, lying and more. Why not just follow Texas laws and release the financial information?

Now back to the original purpose of this thread: How do find a GREAT HOA Attorney.
ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 1,393
Posted:
A lot of HOA law firms come up when googling simply:

Houston HOA attorneys

I would just make sure the firms' web site talks about representing parties in homeowner association disputes. For your purposes, you do not want a mere "real estate attorney."
TimB4 (Virginia)
Posts: 20,986
Posted:
I did a quick search for hoa legal cases won by the owner in harris county tx and it returned a fair amount of cases along with a redit thread asking the same question you posed here.
BryonW (Massachusetts)
Posts: 69
Posted:
Hey MrTexaS1 - I have two tactics for finding good attorneys:

1) Search the court docket in your area for recent cases that are similar to what you need, then look at who the attorneys were. For example, try "condominium" and/or "homeowners" in both the plaintiff and defendant fields. You will find cases involving HOAs / COAs.

2) Ask for a referral from an attorney who is a friend / family / acquaintance and who definitely can't handle the case themself. (Many "general practice" attorneys will try to take on all types of cases, even when they don't really have the knowledge. You don't want that.) Find someone who specializes in criminal law only, or divorces only, and ask for a referral from them.

PS, I don't find google searches very useful, as many firms are just playing SEO tricks, and many websites you land on are not really lawyers - they are middle-men who get your contact info, then re-sell the leads to the highest-bidding law firms.
MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BryonW on 08/29/2026, 1:27 PM

Hey MrTexaS1 - I have two tactics for finding good attorneys:
1) Search the court docket in your area for recent cases that are similar to what you need, then look at who the attorneys were. For example, try "condominium" and/or "homeowners" in both the plaintiff and defendant fields. You will find cases involving HOAs / COAs.
2) Ask for a referral from an attorney who is a friend / family  / acquaintance and who definitely can't handle the case themself. (Many "general practice" attorneys will try to take on all types of cases, even when they don't really have the knowledge. You don't want that.) Find someone who specializes in criminal law only, or divorces only, and ask for a referral from them.
PS, I don't find google searches very useful, as many firms are just playing SEO tricks, and many websites you land on are not really lawyers - they are middle-men who get your contact info, then re-sell the leads to the highest-bidding law firms.

thanks will try
ThomasS29 (Texas)
Posts: 5
Posted:
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization has a search feature: https://www.tbls.org/findlawyer-results. Search for Property Owners Association Law. In the spring CAI (CAI Community Association) hosts an event where all sorts of HOA/POA support companies, including lawyers, attend. It is a great place to actually talk with the lawyers.
MrTexaS1 (Texas)
Posts: 32
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ThomasS29 on 09/02/2026, 10:45 AM

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization ....

Specialization seems like a good thing when hiring a lawyer. Thanks for sharing this, Thomas

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