WHY WE CAN’T REVIEW LEGAL DOCUMENTS

By Rafael Aquino

Published April 19, 2023  

 

As a community association manager, you are responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of an association. Board members rely heavily on their expertise and knowledge to ensure the smooth functioning of the association. However, there are times when board members may ask a CAM to assist them in tasks outside their job responsibilities.

 

One such task is reviewing legal documents for the association. While it may seem like a simple task, it is not something that community association managers are permitted to do. This is because reviewing legal documents requires legal expertise and knowledge, which only a licensed attorney can provide.

 

Certain ethical and legal obligations bind community association managers. We are not licensed to provide legal advice or services, and doing so could put our license and reputation at risk. It is essential to understand that giving legal advice or services without a license is illegal and could lead to severe consequences.

 

If a board member asks you to review legal documents, you must inform them that you are not permitted to do so. Instead, it would be best if you recommended that they consult with a licensed attorney specializing in community association law. This will protect your license and reputation and ensure that the association receives the best possible legal advice.

 

It is also important to note that if a community association manager recommends a particular provider for legal services, it is for a reason. When recommending a provider, they do so based on their knowledge and experience in the industry.

 

To put it in perspective, it would be like asking a dentist to perform brain surgery. While both are in the medical field, they require vastly different skill sets and knowledge. Just like a dentist would recommend a neurosurgeon for brain surgery, a community association manager would recommend a licensed attorney for legal services.

 

In conclusion, as community association managers, we must understand and uphold our ethical and legal obligations. Reviewing legal documents is not within the scope of our job responsibilities, and it is important to recommend a licensed attorney for such tasks. By doing so, we are protecting our license and reputation and ensuring that the association receives the best possible legal advice.

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As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

 

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.


Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279

Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST

Suite 200

Doral, FL 33166

Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300

Plantation, FL 33324

O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053

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