Anthony L. Rafel

I chair the board of a large condo building in Portland that hired Tony to reach attractive settlements in two separate building issues. I recommend him for his willingness to help legal committees avoid the intra-building anger that accompanies such unfortunate events and his readiness to settle as soon as attractive terms can be achieved. The first complaint we had was for a piece of building equipment. We had initially retained a different lawyer but quickly became concerned that her desire to litigate until all appeals were exhausted wasn't in keeping with the low-drama solution our owners wanted. After switching, Tony negotiated a settlement that avoided court by tying any future payments to actual future repairs instead of insisting on an upfront check. Our second issue was much larger in both dollars and breadth but the board wanted to go with an attorney that would guide the case to a good compromise and try to avoid spiraling into never ending appeals. Tony prepared for trial throughout the case and pre-trial motions were a big part of setting the stage for a very successful settlement but always focused on the goal: a pre-trial settlement that would fully protect owners. Our owners wanted the pain that litigation causes to be recognized by their counsel and have that counsel deliver results; Tony did so.

I chair the Board of Directors at the Encore (177 unit high-rise condo in Portland, OR). The Encore condo owners association entered into an engagement agreement with Tony Rafel in August 2012 for general counsel and other legal services following turnover of condo association responsibility from the developer to owners. Since that time Mr. Rafel has provided very effective legal service to the Encore on a wide range of important matters, including negotiating successful agreements on building defect, mechanical and plumbing system problems, as well as advising and supporting the Board on contracts, resolutions and policy and rules matters. As volunteer Board members, we appreciate Tony's solid knowledge and experience in condo association law and especially defect claims. He is able to communicate complex legal and technical issues in a way that homeowners can understand and take appropriate action through the condo owners association and the Board. Tony is very responsive to telephone and email inquiries and readily available to meet with the Board or property management staff, often during evening meetings. He is also respectful of our association's limited budget for legal support and very effective at helping us to balance cost and benefit considerations when approaching legal matters. His sound judgment and excellent legal advice has greatly benefited the Encore and its owners. He has enabled the Encore to weather the inevitable bumps and conflicts in first few years following owner control of the condo association and put us on a more stable path for success. On behalf of the Encore Board of Directors, I commend Tony Rafel for his great partnership with the Board and Encore owners during the past four years and recommend him to other condo associations seeking legal support and services.