Lazega & Johanson LLC

- 1510 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Navigating the legal intricacies of a homeowners association (HOA), condominium association, or other community association can be a complex and often challenging task. For boards of directors and community managers in Georgia, having a specialized legal partner is crucial for effective and compliant operation. Lazega & Johanson LLC is a boutique law firm located in Atlanta that has built a reputation over three decades for its dedicated focus on community association law. This article aims to provide local users in Georgia with a clear and factual overview of the firm's services, specialties, and professional standing.

The firm's core practice revolves around representing community associations of all types and sizes throughout the Southeast. They pride themselves on being proactive problem-solvers who work to build long-lasting relationships with their clients. Their services are designed to provide practical advice on day-to-day business, including reviewing and enforcing contracts, advising on corporate governance, and handling litigation and collections. According to their public information, they have been involved in crafting much of the state's community association law through legislative assistance and have litigated cases that have helped shape governing principles in this niche field. The firm's attorneys are also leaders in the industry, with affiliations with the Community Associations Institute and other professional organizations.

However, it's also important to address the full range of public feedback available, which includes some very negative reviews. A common theme in these reviews describes the firm as "predators and scammers" and "bullies," particularly in their collections work. One client, a grandmother, shared an emotionally charged account of being "extorted" for fees she was unaware of, leading to garnished wages. Another client echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration with a representative who was "scared to send an email" and hoped "to never deal with in the future." The firm has a public BBB rating of D-, which reflects an opinion about the organization's interactions with its customers. This contrasts sharply with the firm's self-professed professional industry reputation, which includes attorney Jay Lazega being named a Georgia SuperLawyer in previous years and the firm being represented in the prestigious national College of Community Association Lawyers. This contrast highlights the dual nature of their work: serving the legal needs of associations while also engaging in the often-contentious process of debt collection from individual homeowners.

Location and Accessibility

Lazega & Johanson LLC is located at 1510 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA. This location makes the firm a central and accessible option for clients in the greater Atlanta area. The firm is committed to ensuring that its office is accessible to all individuals, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair accessible restroom. These amenities are in place to ensure a comfortable and accommodating visit for all clients. To provide the best possible service and ensure a dedicated professional is available to meet with you, the firm operates on an appointments recommended basis.

Services Offered

• Community Association Law
• Litigation & Collections
• Advising Boards of Directors on Rights and Responsibilities
• Interpreting, Enforcing, and Amending Covenants
• Transitioning Communities from Developers
• Conducting Association Meetings
• Reviewing Contracts
• Resolving Disputes Through Negotiation and Litigation
• Representing Debt Buyers and Financial Institutions

Features / Highlights

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and restroom
• Amenities: Restroom
• Planning: Appointments recommended
• Specialization in community association law and debt collection
• Over three decades of experience representing community associations in the Southeast
• Attorneys have been involved in shaping Georgia's community association law
• Known for a proactive and cost-effective approach to legal challenges
• Industry leaders with involvement in professional organizations like the Community Associations Institute

Contact Information

Address: 1510 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA

Phone: (404) 350-1192

What is worth choosing?

Choosing a law firm, especially one involved in community association matters, requires a careful evaluation of its reputation and specific services. Lazega & Johanson LLC is a firm with a clear specialty and a long-standing history of representing community associations throughout Georgia. What makes them a consideration for potential clients is their deep and unique expertise in a niche area of law. For a community association board or property manager, their extensive experience in drafting legislation, litigating cases, and providing day-to-day guidance on corporate governance is a significant advantage. Their track record of assisting associations in a variety of legal challenges, from covenant enforcement to complex disputes, demonstrates a high level of professional competence in their field.

However, for an individual homeowner, the calculus is different. The public reviews and low BBB rating suggest a very negative experience for some clients, particularly those who are on the receiving end of the firm's collection efforts on behalf of HOAs. The descriptions of the firm as "predators" and "bullies" are serious and should not be ignored. This highlights the dual role of the firm: an advocate for one party (the community association) which can be perceived as an adversary by the other (the individual homeowner). The strong language in these reviews indicates that the firm's aggressive collections tactics, while perhaps legally effective for their clients, may be seen as lacking in empathy or transparency from the perspective of the individuals being pursued.

Therefore, for a potential client, the question of whether Lazega & Johanson LLC is "worth choosing" depends entirely on your role. For a homeowners association board or a property management company seeking a highly experienced and aggressive firm to handle community legal matters and collections, the firm's professional reputation and specialization may be compelling. For an individual homeowner facing a dispute or collections from their association, it would be wise to consult with a lawyer who specializes in representing homeowners' rights and who can provide a perspective that counters the firm’s advocacy on behalf of the association. In summary, the firm's value is in its specialized legal advocacy for community associations, but this comes with a reputation for being very difficult to deal with from the perspective of the individuals on the other side of their cases.

Lazega & Johanson LLC

1510 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA