Key Points

• To derive full benefit from legal counsel, an association should choose counsel whose expertise ranges over the entire field of community association law. While limited expertise may suffice when an attorney is chosen for a very specific job, such as defending a wrongful termination claim, a wide spectrum of knowledge is preferable for general counsel.



• At one time or another during its existence, a community association is likely to encounter issues involving nearly every field of legal practice—but with a specific twist needed for community associations.



• It is almost never advisable to hire a member of the association to be the association attorney, whether compensated or on a volunteer basis.



• Do not select an attorney solely on the basis of rates.



• The association manager can be a valued and powerful ally and should be involved in each step of the search for an association attorney.



• Attorneys expect potential clients to ask for detailed information about the



• To help control fees (especially for associations that have chosen an hourly rate payment basis), the board should designate one person to interact with its attorney.



• The association's attorney is legal counsel to the association and neither represents the board, nor any single member of the board, nor any particular officer or homeowner.

Contents

Appendix 1—Checklist: What to Include in a Request for Proposal (RFP)
Appendix 2—Sample Form: Request For Proposal (RFP)
Appendix 3—Sample Interview Questions: Questions To Ask When Interviewing Prospective Attorneys
Appendix 4—Sample Form: Evaluating Prospective Attorneys
Appendix 5—Sample Form: Law Firm Billing Statement
Appendix 6—Sample Rules of Conduct: ABA Model Rule 1.5 of Professional Conduct

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