Firm News

New Client: Versailles Owners Association

Published on: March 6, 2012 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

We are proud to announce that the Versailles Owners Association has selected Tinnelly Law Group as its corporate counsel.

Located in the City of Long Beach, the Versailles mid-rise building consists of 86 gorgeous executive condominiums centrally located between downtown Long Beach and the Belmont Shore community.

The Versailles condominiums are steps from the beach and enjoy amazing shoreline and ocean views from their floor to ceiling windows.

We look forward to working with Versailles and to developing another lasting relationship with a condominium association client.

TLG Attorney Joins Tough Mudders in Supporting Wounded Warriors

Published on: March 1, 2012 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TLG Attorney Kai MacDonald participated in the “SoCal #1 Tough Mudder” event on Februrary 25, 2012 benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.

Tough Mudder events are “hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test participants’ all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.”

After successfully navigating 20ft. cliff dives, mud crawls, ice baths, 10,000 volt electric prods and a wealth of other hardcore obstacles, Kai finished the 12 mile course in style.

Check Kai out in the interview he gave to the local Channel 8 news after the event. (In the video to the right, after the ad, at 1:23 and 1:55)

We are proud of Kai’s efforts in supporting a great cause. The TLG team is looking forward to running the 2012 Irvine Lake Mud Run benefiting the Gavin R. Stevens Foundation on March 31st!

New Client: Burbank Hill Community Association

Published on: February 27, 2012 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

We are proud to announce that the Burbank Hill Community Association has selected Tinnelly Law Group as its corporate counsel.

Located in the City of Burbank, Burbank Hill consists of 127 ultra luxury homes built by Lennar Homes of California, Inc.

The homes are nestled in the hillside above Brace Canyon Park and enjoy stunning views of canyon and city scenery.

We look forward to working with Burbank Hill and to developing another lasting relationship with a HOA client.

New TLG Attorney! Kai MacDonald, Esq.

Published on: January 12, 2012 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP is proud to announce it’s newest member of the team: Kai MacDonald, Esq.

Mr. MacDonald received his undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he double majored in Philosophy and Law & Society. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego, School of Law, in 2008, where he focused on tax law and real estate, and was awarded the Ralph Gano Miller Excellence in Tax Award for outstanding scholarship in tax law. In 2009 Mr. MacDonald went on to obtain his LLM in Taxation (Masters in Tax Law) from the University of San Diego, School of Law. Mr. MacDonald is also a licensed real estate broker and public notary.

Mr. MacDonald will work primarily within the firm’s transactional department, where he will focus on interpretation of governing documents and contract review. He will also be involved in the firm’s marketing and client development efforts.

We are excited to have Mr. MacDonald join the TLG family; we know he will be a tremendous asset to our firm, our clients, and the industry partners we work with on a daily basis.

For Mr. MacDonald’s full bio, click here. He can be reached at

2012 Legislative & Case Law Update Now Available

Published on: November 28, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

Our “2012 Legislative & Case Law Update” newsletter is now available in our library!

The 2012 Legislative & Case Law Update provides an overview of the new legislation impacting California Homeowners Associations (“HOAs”) and the community association industry professionals who service them. The new legislation includes, among other things, bills that impose new requirements on Board Member meetings and new limitations on HOAs that wish to restrict rentals in their communities.

The 2012 Legislative & Case Law Update also provides an overview of some important new case law, along with some links to additional resources we have published on the items discussed therein.

Click here to read our 2012 Legislative & Case Law Update

Have questions on any of the new legislation or case law? Click here to send us a question online.

TLG Secures Injunctive Relief for HOA Client in Dana Point

Published on: April 8, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP has prevailed in an Architectural Control suit for one of our clients–a HOA in Dana Point, California. The Defendant homeowner installed a window in the second floor bedroom of his residence which overlooked his neighbor’s bathroom, patio and kitchen. Our client’s Architectural Control Committee (“ACC”) had already rejected two previous applications for the window; however, in 2008 the Defendant homeowner installed the window anyway without informing the HOA or submitting an application to the ACC.

As part of its evaluation process, the HOA’s Board of Directors (“Board”) conducted a hearing at which both the Defendant homeowner and his neighbor presented their cases. The Board then performed an on-sight inspection of both residences and concluded that the window did violate the neighbor’s privacy and, as a result, the Board denied the window application. The Board suggested in its denial that the Defendant homeowner submit another application with a modified window which takes the neighbor’s privacy concerns into consideration. When the homeowner refused, the lawsuit was filed and the bench trial was heard on March 10 and 11, 2011.

The trial court ultimately ruled that: (1) the HOA acted within the authority granted to it by its CC&R’s, (2) the HOA’s denial was made after a reasonable investigation, (3) the HOA’s denial was made in the best interests of the community, and (4) the HOA’s denial was made in a non-arbitrary manner. The court ordered that the window be removed and the wall of the residence be returned to its original condition. The court then found that the HOA was the prevailing party and that it was entitled to recover its attorney fees and costs.

We congratulate Bruce Kermott on securing another success in court.

“Bruce Kermott did an excellent job and is to be commended on his thoroughness, marshaling of the records and evidence, and presenting our case to the Judge” – (Client Board Member)

TINNELLY LAW GROUP strives to resolve its clients’ disputes through non-judicial means wherever possible. However, when issues do result in litigation, our clients take comfort in knowing that our attorneys provide the highest quality representation available.

TLG Secures $170,000 in Attorneys’ Fees for HOA Client in Orange

Published on: February 4, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TLG awarded $170,000 in attorneys’ fees in maintenance enforcement suit for our HOA client in the City of Orange

For those of you that read our blog post, you know that TINNELLY LAW GROUP has recently prevailed in a maintenance enforcement suit for one of our clients–a Homeowners Association (HOA) in the City of Orange, California. Our client initially sought to resolve its dispute for several years with the homeowner outside of court through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The homeowner refused to participate in ADR and insisted that the dispute proceed to litigation.

Ultimately, TINNELLY LAW GROUP’s Bruce Kermott prevailed on the merits and secured an order for injunctive relief on behalf of our client to force the homeowner to comply with the HOA’s maintenance requirements.

The court just awarded our client approximately $170,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs. Congratulations to Bruce for yet another success.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP strives to resolve its clients’ disputes through non-judicial means wherever possible. However, when issues do result in litigation, our clients take comfort in knowing that our attorneys provide the highest quality representation available.

TLG Launch Party – A BIG HIT!

Published on: January 31, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

A sincere thank you to all of our clients and industry colleagues that attended our Official Launch Party on Friday, January 28th

At one point it was standing room only in our new Orange County offices during our Official Launch Party. We had a fantastic time and were truly humbled by the outpouring of support and excitement for the growth of our firm and for the investments we have made.

We are privileged to work in such a fantastic industry and we look forward to strengthening our working relationships with all of you.

Continue reading this post for photos and videos from the event.

TLG Secures Injunctive Relief in Maintenance Suit for HOA Client in Orange

Published on: January 19, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP has prevailed in a maintenance enforcement suit for one of our clients–a Homeowners Association (HOA) in the City of Orange, California.

Our client initially sought to resolve its dispute for several years with the homeowner outside of court through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The homeowner refused to participate in ADR and insisted that the dispute proceed to litigation.

The suit resulted in 16 days of trial as the homeowner called 21 witnesses. The homeowner had subpoenaed all the members of the HOA’s Board of Directors as well as the HOA’s property managers.

Ultimately, TINNELLY LAW GROUP’s Bruce Kermott prevailed on the merits and secured an order for injunctive relief on behalf of our client to force the homeowner to comply with the HOA’s maintenance requirements.

A motion to recover our client’s attorneys’ fees from the homeowner will be heard in February of this year. We will keep you posted.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP strives to resolve its clients’ disputes through non-judicial means wherever possible. However, when issues do result in litigation, our clients take comfort in knowing that our attorneys provide the highest quality representation available.

TLG Secures Favorable Settlement for HOA Client in Laguna Niguel

Published on: January 13, 2011 | by Steven J. Tinnelly, Esq.

TLG recently secured a favorable settlement agreement for our HOA client including a recovery of approximately $140,000…

TINNELLY LAW GROUP has just settled a maintenance and architectural enforcement case on behalf of one of our clients–a Homeowners Association (HOA) in Laguna Niguel, California. The defendant homeowner refused to fulfill her maintenance responsibilities under the HOA’s CC&Rs and also failed to comply with the HOA’s architectural procedures and guidelines before building an unapproved, and highly dangerous, addition to her property.

The dispute persisted over several years as the defendant repeatedly refused to resolve the issue amicably.

Just before trial was to finally begin, TINNELLY LAW GROUP’s Bruce Kermott negotiated a settlement agreement whereby the defendant agreed to comply with all of our client’s demands. Additionally, the defendant agreed to pay roughly $140,000 in legal fees and costs to our client.

TINNELLY LAW GROUP strives to resolve its clients’ disputes through non-judicial means wherever possible. However, when issues do result in litigation, our clients take comfort in knowing that our attorneys provide the highest quality representation available.