AHRC News Services
Irvine - California

Friday , February 9, 2001

When she protested, they told her that it was their prerogative to do that – even though she was a part owner of the swimming pool. She later learned that several board members had children on the swim team.

With nowhere else to go, she filed suit against the board.

$20,000 of legal fees into the case, she found that her attorney Jeffrey Lurner had a hidden conflict of interest – the daughter of the association’s management company was secretary to his partner.

Her next lawyer Alexandria Phillips charged $70,000, even though there were no depositions or jury trial. She lost at trial.

Both the Los Angeles Time and the Orange County Register covered her trial every day for nearly 3 weeks. There was one small silver lining – the judge ordered the association to provide 2 lanes for association members.

The association lawyer, an employee of Chubb Insurance, filed an appeal of the judge’s amended order (to get back the 5th lane), and a motion for $38,000 in legal fees against Alisa.

Dana Parsons of the Los Angeles Times devoted his column on February 7 to Alisa’s story. On the same day, the appellate court rejected the association’s appeal. Two days later, the judge rejected the CHUBB's association lawyer's request for attorney fees now at $40,000.

Alisa has got one of the 5 lanes back – at a cost of $90,000 in legal fees and an untold amount of time, worry and aggravation.

It cost the Orange County taxpayers the cost to run a courtroom for eight days and a huge salary to a retired judge. Records show that he is the tenth highest paid retired judge in California.

Her story could be any homeowner’s story in an association. You think you own something – and a board and judge say you do not.

Maybe the Surgeon General should post the following warning: "Homeowner Associations are dangerous to your physical, mental and financial health."

Justice Drowns in Irvine Homeowner Association Swimming Pool
by AHRC News Services