Community Association Experience and Involvement
1. Describe your experience in handling the kinds of legal problems our Association faces. (e.g., collections, covenant enforcement, document amendment, litigation, etc.)
Richard D. DeBoest, II has more than 18 years of experience in handling all facets of legal problems faced by community associations. Susan M. McLaughlin has been practicing law for more than 30 years, primarily as a litigator. Attorney Jason R. Himschoot has practiced law for over 12 years. Attorneys Diane M. Burnside and Chené M. Thompson have each practiced law for over 8 years.
2. What percentage of your practice is devoted to the representation of association clients?
The firm devotes 100% of its practice to the representation of community association clients. By limiting our representation to only the associations, this reduces any risk of a conflict of interest arising.
3. Provide us with examples of proactive advice you have given to an Association client.
We recommend adopting standardized procedures, protocols, and forms, and assist in the creation of these items. Establishing and following standardized protocol for handling assessment collection, covenant enforcement, and other common matters allows the Association to resolve many disputes without the need to have the attorney get involved. Moreover, when a matter is referred to the attorney, the case is much stronger and this increases the chances of a successful resolution on behalf of the Association. It is our general philosophy that litigation is always utilized as the last option. When the decision to litigate has been made, we advise providing a final notice to the adverse party and providing a final opportunity to discuss and possibly resolve the matter before filing a lawsuit.
4. Describe your involvement in the community association industry outside of representing Association clients.
Richard D. DeBoest, II, Susan M. McLaughlin, Diane M. Burnside and Chené M. Thompson are certified instructors for community association lawyer and manager continuing education credits, and condominium unit owner education courses for the State of Florida. Mr. DeBoest authored the chapter on Drafting Condominium Declarations in the book “Florida Condominium and Community Association Law” published by The Florida Bar. As mentioned above, Mr. DeBoest is a member of CAI and the past president of the local CAI Chapter. He is a member of the Naples and Fort Myers Chapters of COMA and all firm attorneys are members of The Florida Bar Condominium Committee. Richard DeBoests appears regularly on the television show Fox 4 Morning Blend.
Serving all of Southwest Florida including: Counties of Lee, Collier,
Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. Cities of Fort Myers, Cape
Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, and LaBelle.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
