Issue link: https://hub.associaonline.com/i/1314217
LAWYER As a board member, you have the fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of your community. And in doing so, it's in the community's best interest to retain a lawyer to offer advice and carry out directives. As an advisor and advocate, you'll want to engage your lawyer proactively to recommend a course of action, survey proposed policies, and review contracts. As an advocate, your lawyer may need to represent you in legal proceedings to promote the community's interest or in your defense if a lawsuit is filed against your community. How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Community Finding a good community association lawyer can be difficult. Here are some tips to help you find the right one: 1. Reach out to your local CAI or CCI chapter. Check your local Community Associations Institute (CAI) or Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) chapter website for a service directory of local community association lawyers you can research. 2. Make sure they specialize in your type of community. It's important to find a lawyer who practices community association law. You may discover that community association lawyers understand the general community association concept; however, it'd be prudent to find one with clear knowledge of your specific community type. 3. Start with a budget and discuss your expectations. Be upfront about your budget and discuss rates. Lawyers are crucial advisors to major organizations, and their costs usually reflect their level of expertise. Setting budget expectations will establish financial guideposts and improve communication. 4. Find someone you're comfortable with. When you're interviewing lawyers, start with an open dialogue. You shouldn't be afraid to seek advice or ask questions. Your lawyer should be able to confidently back their guidance with regulatory facts and varied experience. 5. Look at credentials and seek out testimonials. A firm's website should include a bio page, where you can see a lawyer's education and credentials. You may also consider reaching out to friends and family for recommendations and feedback.