RICHARD A. TINNELLY

Richard Tinnelly is the principal and founder of the Law Offices of Richard A. Tinnelly. Since Mr. Tinnelly’s admission to the bar in 1985 he has devoted his entire legal career to the representation of community associations.

Since being admitted to the practice of law, Mr. Tinnelly has represented hundreds of associations in matters relating to the interpretation, amendment, and enforcement of governing documents, contract review, governmental negotiations and matters pertaining to major renovation and reconstruction projects.

Mr. Tinnelly received his undergraduate education at the State University of New York at Stoneybrook, St. John’s University, and Western State University College of Law. Mr. Tinnelly received his Bachelor of Science of Laws in 1982 and thereafter his Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law in 1984. Since admission to the practice of law, Mr. Tinnelly and his firm have endeavored to provide prompt, efficient and effectual legal services to community associations throughout Southern California.

Mr. Tinnelly remains active in the community association industry as a frequent lecturer on matters pertaining to community association affairs and association management. Mr. Tinnelly is a founding member of the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) and has served as its Southern California legislative legal counsel. Mr. Tinnelly has maintained membership in Community Associations Institute (CAI), Orange County Chapter, since 1985 and has served as both a member of the board of directors and committee chairman and is also a member of the San Diego and Coachella Valley Chapters.

Mr. Tinnelly is recognized as one of the industry’s most experienced and well respected attorneys. His representation of community associations has lead his firm to be recognized as “The General Counsel Firm”.

JEFFREY M. HYLTON

Jeffrey Hylton received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arizona State University. After an initial career in commercial and corporate banking, Mr. Hylton attended Western State University College of Law and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1978.

Contract, corporation, and real estate law have always comprised a major portion of Mr. Hylton’s practice. He has represented homeowners associations in various matters for most of his entire legal career.

Mr. Hylton’s primary focus with the firm continues to be in transactional matters. In that capacity he represents and advises Boards of Directors in various areas such as contract review and negotiation, as well as governing document review, interpretation and enforcement. Mr Hylton has also appeared before local municipal government bodies presenting client arguments on matters effecting their association. His day to day contact with property managers and board members insures continued and clear communication regarding association business. Mr. Hylton is also active in CAI and CACM by participating in monthly luncheons and other organization activities.

BRUCE R. KERMOTT

Bruce Kermott is an associate lawyer with the Law Offices of Richard A. Tinnelly. Since joining the firm, Mr. Kermott has been primarily responsible for managing the firm’s litigation department. Mr. Kermott has over 16 years of litigation, arbitration, mediation, trial and appellate experience.

Mr. Kermott is given credit for successfully representing our client Laguna Sur Community Association, in the Laguna Sur Community Association v. Smith matter.

Since being admitted to the bar in 1989, Mr. Kermott has directed his legal practice to the real estate, contracting and homeowner fields. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Kermott worked as a property manager in Los Angeles who managed numerous residential, commercial and industrial properties. In addition, Mr. Kermott is licensed by the Contractors State License Board with an active “B” license (General Contractor). Mr. Kermott’s expertise in construction has proved to be of great assistance to the firm’s clients in litigation matters.

Mr. Kermott received his undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kermott graduated “cum laude” from Southwestern University School of Law where he was enrolled in the S.C.A.L.E. (Southwestern’s Conceptual Approach to Legal Education) Program.

Outside his regular employment, Mr. Kermott lives in a homeowners association and has served on its Board of Directors as president. Mr. Kermott is also an active participant in the Community Association Institute (CAI).

TERRI A. MORRIS

Terri Morris is an associate with the Law Offices of Richard A. Tinnelly. Terri brings with her over 14 years of litigation experience primarily in the field dedicated to the representation of homeowner associations. Ms. Morris practices in both the general counsel and litigation arenas.

Ms. Morris obtained her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1991 and received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1982.

Ms. Morris’s litigation experience began with defending the Long Beach Unified School District and small municipalities which led to the opportunity to represent homeowners who suffered catastrophic losses in the Northridge Earthquake. Her focus shifted from individual homeowners to homeowner associations when she began advising Boards of Directors in their construction defect claims in 1996.

Ms. Morris has served on both the Publications Committee and the Education Committee of the Community Associations Institute (CAI). She is also active with the Joseph A. Ball, Clarence S. Hunt American Inns of Court legal organization committed to promoting legal excellence, civility, professionalism, and ethics in the practice of law.