By: Brianna O’Donnell
What began as one Orange County attorney’s fight against unfair HOA practices has evolved into a nationwide movement for homeowner rights. Through his best-selling book Bad HOA, an educational podcast that homeowners across the country turn to for clarity, and advocacy efforts that have reached the steps of the Capitol, Luke Carlson and his team at LS Carlson Law have redefined what homeowner representation looks like.
We sat down with Carlson to discuss the inspiration behind Bad HOA, the role education plays in empowerment, and how his firm continues to lead the charge for meaningful HOA reform.
Luke, thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
It’s a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me.
What inspired the creation of the book Bad HOA?
Bad HOA was born from years of direct legal combat against abusive homeowners associations. Since our founding in 2006, we’ve seen the same patterns repeat over and over again — boards exploiting power, property managers operating without oversight, and homeowners silenced or ignored.
I wrote Bad HOA because I realized homeowners needed more than legal representation — they needed a weapon. Bad HOA is that weapon — a clear, practical, and powerful guide to understanding HOA governance, and identifying misconduct, and pushing back with confidence. It’s not just a book. It’s a blueprint for reclaiming autonomy.
This isn’t marketing. It’s a movement. And if someone reads it and never hires us because they learned how to fight back on their own — that’s a win. That means I’m doing my job.
What role does education and awareness play in your firm’s approach?
Education is the foundation of empowerment. Homeowners can’t fight what they don’t understand — and HOAs thrive in the shadows of legal complexity and intimidation.
That’s why I wrote Bad HOA — and why everything we do, from the podcast to our daily advocacy work, shares the same mission. Every effort is designed to demystify the system. We break down the governing documents, expose board tactics, and explain the law in language that actually makes sense.
The goal is simple: put power back where it belongs — in the hands of homeowners.
Your firm has made a large public push around HOA reform. Can you speak to that?
We don’t believe in half measures. When we decided to take on the HOA system, we went all in.
Our reform efforts didn’t start with the book — they’ve evolved over years of advocacy, education, and real-world experience representing homeowners. Bad HOA became a natural extension of that mission. Alongside it, we built a studio, launched a podcast, and created a national conversation. We don’t just handle cases — we showed up in Sacramento, stood on the steps of the Capitol, and demanded legislative change.
We invest in infrastructure, people, and media that advance the mission. We’re not just lawyers. We’re organizers, educators, and reformers. And I’m proud of that.
We welcome anyone committed to advancing this work. To date, no other law firms have moved the needle. That’s fine — we’ll continue to be the pacesetter in homeowner empowerment.
What sets LS Carlson Law apart in this space?
Relentless focus. Deep experience. And a true belief in the cause.
We’ve built a firm that lives and breathes homeowner advocacy. Every system, every initiative, every strategic move — it all ties back to protecting homeowners and dismantling abuse.
This isn’t a side project. It’s the core of who we are.
What’s your message to homeowners struggling with their HOA?
You are not alone — and you are not powerless.
HOAs are not above the law. Abuse is not inevitable. Dysfunction is not the price of living in a community. Whether you’re being fined unfairly, targeted by a rogue board, or just trying to understand your rights, know this: you have options. And you have support.
My mission is to give homeowners the tools, confidence, and legal firepower to fight back. And with Bad HOA, that mission is just getting started.
What impact do you hope this work has in the long run?
I want to spark a systemic shift.
The goal is to empower homeowners on a national scale — to replace fear and confusion with knowledge, confidence, and action. Every effort — from the book to the courtroom — moves us closer to that reality.
My focus will always remain on the homeowners — the families
