Filter by

star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
Google Maps
star star star star star
07 Jan, 2023 by Marcia sylvester
No reason to fear this place they drag out chump change cases and have newbies and interns do all the work. Big companies spend more money in litigation than they would have if they settled. Stay away!!!
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2022 by Delisa shatteen
Definitely would not recommend for hire… they purposely dragged out our case. The Plaintiff was more than willing to settle for way less than they was in the beginning but the attorney never said a word. No calls, communication and very unprofessional. Wish we saw these reviews beforehand.
Read more Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
16 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Upsetting experience!! Attorney John Andrle has been completely unprofessional. After multiple contact attempts by my attorney for over a period of a year, John has not responded to him. I’ve been attempting to solve this HOA matter for which I am falsely accused for over two years. His lack of communication is ridiculous. It seems that he is out of town more than he’s is in the office. He has refused to talk with me on the phone and wouldn't allow me to see them in the office in order to settle the matter. It has been nothing but one excuse after another. Only after seeing my 1-star review, did he respond via email to say that I needed to remove my review or he would sue for defamation. He also said if I removed my review, then would he send over a settlement offer. I did remove my previous 1-star review and replaced it with a 4-star review. Needless to say, it’s been months and I still have not received a settlement offer from him. He sent an email to the HOA property management group, which I was cc’ed on, saying to please ignore her. In his last email, John advised me that he would not have any contact with me, he would only contact my counsel. Needless to say, it has been impossible to work with this attorney!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
06 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
This jerk and firm lies, cheats and steals with Heritage Property Management in Atlanta. Coercion! Stay far away. Reporting to Attny General asap!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
25 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Our homeowners' association hired John and the rest of Cobb Olsen Andrle to help us work through some issues. We had a lot of people in our community who weren't paying their dues and our amenities were going downhill fast. We had hired attorneys from other big law firms who charged us a lot but didn't really do much- hardly even returned our phone calls. Then we hired John. He showed us how we could get people to pay their dues without having to resort to costly court hearings. He was professional, responsive, and honest- not the stereotypical lawyer. Not to mention, he's just an all-around nice guy and is a pleasure to work with. If you are considering hiring John, do it! Their firm is smaller than some so you'll get a lot of attention from the senior partners. They have saved us so much money, which we've been able to reinvest in our community. Definitely a great investment! I highly recommend John and his firm for any HOAs in the Atlanta area!
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
15 Mar, 2024 by Rsmith76
On May 14th we (my mortgage lender, real estate agent and myself) hired Scott Baker and his agency to perform a Title Search on a home that I was in the process of purchasing. My real estate agent contacted Scott first and while speaking with him, asked him to contact me. A week went by and I didn't hear from him, so I called him. Scott said he was out of town (in Florida) and that was the reason he did not contact me. Scott assured me that they were working on the Title Search and would finish everything very soon. Several more weeks went by and my Mortgage lender called saying he was concerned that we were going to have to file a 2nd contract extension because of the amount of time that the Title Search was taking. My mortgage lender also said he had been calling Scott's office to expedite the search and no one was returning his call. Finally, he got through and Scott said he was spending some time with his wife and that he thought he could finish everything by Friday June 26th. Since so many weeks had past, I emailed Scott for a confirmation of that projected completion date. Scott replied "We can't make any guarantees but we hope to have Casey what he needs very soon". He didn't. Scott missed yet another deadline. So, I emailed him again telling him that if he could not get the work done we would have to hire another agency. Scott replied "We are happy to give up the file if you wish. Just let Teresa at our office know." So, we finally fired him and started over. Our new attorney, on his third day, has gotten more work done than Scott Baker did in 7 weeks. While there is no guarantee that you will experience the same kind of poor service (complimented with the wise guy attitude) such as we we received, I believe that leopards rarely change their spots. Scott Baker was hired on May 2015 & fired on June 29th 2015. RWS
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
07 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Von Hennigs knows his stuff and is very eloquent. At first he was very responsive and communication was great. However, once he thought he had me as a client, communication dropped off significantly, appointments weren't kept and calls not returned at all, or at least not in a timely manner. I finally wrote him to politely ask what was the matter and why I never heard back from him anymore but he did not even respond to that. Luckily he loved to talk and since I am an attentive listener, I was able to successfully file all required paperwork myself, saving a lot of money that I would have otherwise paid to him had he not treated me so dismissively. So, all was good in the end since I essentially got all I needed by just listening to him resp. reading his very informative emails to me. Nonetheless I thought this was not the professional way to treat a client and therefore I cannot recommend him.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
04 Oct, 2024 by Cam step
Google Maps
star star star star star
12 Aug, 2024 by John beck
I contacted the Attorney Generals Office to register a complaint of Fraud. I did so on line. They told me it would be a fee of $5.00 for filing, so I used a credit card. But before I could be connected to an attorney they wanted me to agree to an automatic withdrawal of $60.00 a month until I cancelled. This is another form of extortion especially since the Attorney General is paid by tax payers. Do not consumers have any protection by our government without them trying to extort funds from taxpayers?
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Jul, 2024 by Dwayne wafford
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
04 Oct, 2024 by Cam step
Google Maps
star star star star star
12 Aug, 2024 by John beck
I contacted the Attorney Generals Office to register a complaint of Fraud. I did so on line. They told me it would be a fee of $5.00 for filing, so I used a credit card. But before I could be connected to an attorney they wanted me to agree to an automatic withdrawal of $60.00 a month until I cancelled. This is another form of extortion especially since the Attorney General is paid by tax payers. Do not consumers have any protection by our government without them trying to extort funds from taxpayers?
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Jul, 2024 by Dwayne wafford
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
04 Oct, 2024 by Cam step
Google Maps
star star star star star
12 Aug, 2024 by John beck
I contacted the Attorney Generals Office to register a complaint of Fraud. I did so on line. They told me it would be a fee of $5.00 for filing, so I used a credit card. But before I could be connected to an attorney they wanted me to agree to an automatic withdrawal of $60.00 a month until I cancelled. This is another form of extortion especially since the Attorney General is paid by tax payers. Do not consumers have any protection by our government without them trying to extort funds from taxpayers?
Read more Google Maps
star star star star star
02 Jul, 2024 by Dwayne wafford
Google Maps
See more
star star star star star
23 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I would never use this attorney or this firm again. I would not recommend either to anyone. I was very dissatisfied with this attorney and the outcome of my case. He even admitted "there were issues with my case" that he was responsible for. Never ever again. Very disappointed.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
28 Jul, 2013 by Osbert
When I called you about a problem that I had with my property that it was going to be foreclosed on 7/26/2013, you assured me that you had reviewed the case and that you could help. I visited you in your office 7/26/2013. I summited paper work describing the problem, you could have told me that there was a poor chance that I would regain my property. Instead you said that you can help me with more time to pay the private company also the percentage that they were charging was too high. You did neither, so I paid 500 dollars for nothing. I usually refer friends and family to anyone who does the work that they promised to do, instead you gave me false hope. Anyway I will continue to seek God's help in this matter. Several other lawyers responded to me in this matter but I CHOSE YOU, now I am rethinking my choice and I am very sad at how this matter was concluded.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
He is super unorganized, never returns a call, always has an excuse, and takes weeks to reply to emails. He hides behind the grey area of the law to practice and isn’t trustworthy… I wish you luck if you hire him.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
02 Feb, 2021 by John
Closing with this firm was my absolute worst closing experience. Of course we are all operating differently because of COVID. However, the way this firm handles it, is horrible. They gave me the option of closing in my car or outside the door of their office in the cold. I opted for outside their office and they brought a table out but no chair. After about 5 minutes of kneeling and signing documents, I politely asked for a chair and they brought me one. Once I was finished signing I was told that I'd be receiving copies of the documents via e-mail that same day. At the time of this writing it has been 2 weeks and I still have not received my closing documents! My emails and calls are not returned, and I've been given no indication as to when I will receive my closing documents. Avoid this firm at all costs.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
10 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
The work performed by King Buttermore was amateurish at best. King Buttermore's weak performance cost me quite a bit of money. King was lost and confused in settling a business dispute. The settlement contract was written so poorly as to solve or settle nothing, it did not separate me from my business partner just me from my money. In the settlement with my business partner, King allowed the money I supplied to be released from escrow without my business partner doing anything that was required in the buyout contract. King's sugesstion was to continue to sue my business partner, costing me more money and legal fees;which the settlement contract was supposed to stop. It appeared to me it was his way to keep billing me. I found out you can't sue a lawyer for being dumg or stupid.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
15 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Terrible all around. Lazy and incompetent would be ann understatement. Mitchell Graham was extremely unprofessional.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
30 May, 2018 by Anonymous
I contacted this attorney several years ago and I really didn't understand all the legal procedures and as I asked questions to clarify, I was shocked at how cold and short he was towards me and my family. If I'm going to spend this money expecting to receive good counsel and I left there in tears with less hope than I initially had. He seems to have lost all passion for his work and should not offer to help when he can't commit. Horrible experience and he made me feel extremely unintelligent.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
06 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I contracted this attorney to appeal my property taxes and he refused to represent me, because someone uploaded a picture that said “I know your IP address” to the Zillow profile that corresponded to my address, instead of a picture of the home. The square footage, acreage and other details of the house had been changed and were incorrect also. Because of this he didn’t feel comfortable doing my appeal and decline to represent me. He obviously doesn’t have a good understanding of the internet and doesn’t realize that anyone can claim ownership of a profile on Zillow and change whatever and upload any pictures they want. If this scared him so, I definitely wouldn’t want him doing my appeal.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
02 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Hired Emily to handle some detailed matters for me. It was almost as if she was representing the other side. Did not follow my instructions and totally missed the ball on my behalf. I suffered irreparable harm to this attorney who then had the nerve to taunt me in regards to finding other counsel. $10,000 down the drain, belongings I cannot replace, etc. Not a good way to start off a law career stabbing your client in the back..........
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
04 Aug, 2014 by Robert
This attorney, Janise Miller was hired by me to handle a simple divorce. The Judge threw out the divorce because the petition was not served on the defendant (left at the door). The attorney did not have the process server in court to explain the service of the petition. The attorney failed to produce requested items.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
02 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Refinanced my house with Brendan at MMH as closing attorney, and he completely botched our property taxes in pre-closing (which he had our previous property tax records). So now do we ,not only, have a shortage in our escrow account that we have to make up ,but also, our monthly mortgage payments have to be adjusted to make up for the incorrect property tax he filed. When this discrepancy was brought to MMH attention nothing was done on their part, just a "whoops, we messed up bc we were busy". I guess lawyers aren't liable for their mistakes. Not worth the refinance!
Read more Avvo
See more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You

A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.

Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.

When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?

Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:

  • Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
  • Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
  • Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
  • Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
  • Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
  • Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.

What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?

A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:

  • Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
  • Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
  • Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
  • Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
  • Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
  • Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.

How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?

Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:

  • Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
  • Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
  • Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.

It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.

How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:

  • Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
  • Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
  • Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.

Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.

Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.

Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.

Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer

Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:

  1. What experience do you have with real estate law?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on.
  3. How long will the process take?
    Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last.
  4. Have you handled cases similar to mine?
    Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case.
  5. Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
    Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities.
  6. Can you provide references?
    Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.

How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer

To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:

  • Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
  • Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
  • Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:

  • Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
  • A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
  • Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
  • Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
  • Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.

By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.

Scroll to top