Court of Appeal Unanimously Rules Against the Taking of the AHRC Website

June 19, 2009

By Ed Montagne

The law firm of Peters and Freedman suffered another crushing legal defeat this week. For more than 10 years, they have been trying to stop AHRC News Services from publishing news about their foreclosure business and litigation practices in homeowner associations.

For the last year, it has tried to take over the AHRC.com domain using Palacio del Mar Homeowners Association Board members as surrogates in a lawsuit in the Orange County Superior court.

Peters & Freedman fronted all the legal fees and costs.

However, a panel of three judges in the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division 3, unanimously ruled that the AHRC website could not be turned over to Peters and Freedman, and ordered the trial court to reverse its ruling.

Les Desmond, an AHRC spokesperson said: "This decision represents a great victory for the homeowners of America. Now, homeowners can continue to voice their opinions and concerns about homeowner association issues. The AHRC website will continue to be a forum where, without fear or favor, the truth will be published about good lawyers, bad lawyers, good managers, bad managers, good judges and bad judges. The AHRC website is recognized throughout the country as being the premier website for homeowner associations."

Peters and Freedman this year has lost at least 3 major cases - a multi-million one in Riverside county, an $825,000 one in Orange County, and this latest one.

Furthermore, dissension has erupted in its own ranks when one of its partners, Michael Kim, quit the law firm and has filed a lawsuit against the firm for breach of contract.