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18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
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18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
Read more
18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
Read more
18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
Read more
18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
Read more
13 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired this guy on recommendation from my real estate agent. I think they must be drinking buddies because there was nothing about Jeremy's work to recommend him.
Jeremy seemed out to lunch during my entire closing process. I repeatedly had to call him on behalf of the mortgage company when they were unable to reach him, as he wasn't responding to them promptly. Since then, I've sent three follow up emails to check on something he was supposed to look into for me prior to closing. He finally responded to the third email telling me he'd check on something. I have heard nothing since. There are plenty of real estate attorneys in Boston. You can do better.
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11 Mar, 2017 by Anil
Jeremy helped us with our refinance and closing. He is knowledgeable, thorough and honest. I would recommend him.
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26 Jun, 2021 by Om
Andrew Glaab is polite, knowledgeable, good communication, acts fast unless it is matter of distribution of the funds. In my case it took over one month (after the money was cleared by the Cohn& Dussi's bank and check in my name was issued), numerous calls and emails before I received the settlement funds. The explanations were: accounting department is busy, the check in the mail, it will take up to five days to receive the mail, large overhead, I should have received the check already, etc. Few hundred of accrued interest were not paid and the invoice was altered accordingly. I wonder if he had any control over it and if Cohn&Dussi's "creative" accounting was ever reported. My case was handled by a junior associate, and I wish Andrew Glaab was more involved because at some point I was worried that approach of a less experienced associate would lead to countersuit. Luckily, it didn't. Andrew Glaab claims he can't afford to be fair to own clients because of large overhead. My case was addressed and settled in timely manner and I eventually received the settlement funds sans interest
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17 Feb, 2016 by Brian jerome
I strongly endorse Attorney Andrew Glaab. He provided intelligent, dedicated advocacy to the matters he handled for me. Andrew is astute and insightful, and gives careful consideration to client needs. He is dependable and responsible. I'm pleased to to rate Attorney Glaab as a 5-star lawyer.
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17 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
David really takes his time and listens to everything you say! He took over everything after my accident. I didn't have to deal with anything at all. He took great care of me for over a year and I walked away with a large settlement! I would recommend him to everyone! I'm so glad I choose David to represent me. Thanks again for everything David!
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20 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Maglio keep telling me and my advisors that every thing was just find and that we stood on solid ground. That the other lawyer was a "buffoon", to quote his words. Whoever, in court the baffoon totally out shined Maglio. It was a disaster. When I asked Maglio to do something he yelled at me in court. The the lawyer he brought into court, Andrew Davis Jr., took the stand chewing gum, which was addressed by the judge. Needless to say this all had a negative effect on the jurors. I lost. I would not recommend Davis Maglio at all. He latter refused to cooperate with a second attorney that I hired.
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08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
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01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
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08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
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01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
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01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
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01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
08 Oct, 2023 by John yu
Every year Boston magazine publishes the results for top attorneys in Boston from different legal specialties, from business and criminal law to family and employment law. If there are top 100 attorneys; Edward Wayland would be voted as the top 10 WORST attorneys in Boston. I'm very grateful I had made the right decision to terminate him for ineffectiveness of his counsel. About few years ago, To today's day, I never regretted (terminating) firing Edward Wayland.
He almost ruined my life and my freedom. lack of communication, Failure to exercise diligence, ineffectiveness of his counsel, and Incompetence, Incompetence, and Incompetence. I'm in the process of filing a complaint against him to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer; Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), I think he should get his license suspended or revoked. (everything I stated here is true except for the top 10 worst attorneys).
Read more
01 Nov, 2022 by Cindy allen
I would like to share with everyone the extremely positive experience we had with Attorney Edward Wayland. We were "in the weeds" and getting "bullied" by opposing counsel. Edward just calmly and rationally cut through "the sideshow" intended to distract and turned the situation around 180 degrees. Most importantly Edward held to his integrity and achieved a "just" outcome. I am happy to speak with anyone directly as this is a real experience. You can contact Edward for my details.
Read more
10 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
The worst of the worst. And he has a little midget Associate with Napoleon syndrome. They were rude and arrogant to deal with and not very well liked at the courts by staffing. Won't negotiate and end up costing you more money in the long run. They have a bad reputation in Boston amongst the legal circle and have been dropped by BIG property owners as their counsel. That should tell you something. Atty Cirace & Atty Nadeau are hurting for work. They'll be chasing ambulances next!!
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10 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
He is a bully and not a good lawyer stay away We had a simple case they said they would be able to take care of it. Not only did they not take care of it they billed us in 1 lump sum billing not giving us the authority to fire them. STAY AWAY
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09 Dec, 2008 by Anonymous
I had a real estate matter that was somewhat complex and involved what could fairly be termed "delicate but aggressive negotitation". Mr. Circace was recommended to me via a friend of mine and I am very happy with the result and my experience with him.
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09 Oct, 2023 by Stuart
Mr. Greenman was a late replacement for an eviction-hearing which we had waited several months to arrange with a difficult, non-paying tenant.
He seemed nice, but then he got flustered and basically quit in the middle of out hearing. We had a deal with the other party, and he couldn't or wouldn't read the paperwork closely. He then told us to sign flawed documents that didn't support our deal and which later lost us several thousand dollars. I would never, ever use Mr. Greenman for anything that requires negotiation or strong nerves or attention-to-detail. We felt badly misled. We would have been much better off with no lawyer at all than use his services again.
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03 Sep, 2018 by Marilyn
By far the most personable, thorough and straight forward attorney I have come across in my professional life. He has large firm knowledge, small firm rates and precise sensitivity to the issues at hand. He was careful to ensure that I did not purchase services unwisely.
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03 Jun, 2017 by James
When you meet him he seems normal, but then he's impatient, rude, unprofessional, ignorant, and a bit nasty. Not someone to trust with something important. There are so many other lawyers that I will never hire him again!
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31 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Kristen to be the real estate attorney on my home purchase. Throughout the closing, I relied heavily on her but I was feeling she only wanted to expedite the process and get her money. Once she received her payment, she was extremely slow in responding to my follow-up emails. Not recommend to anyone.
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03 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
mr. sessa helped me on three different cases. we were successful on all three. he was smart, compassionate, and sympathetic. i cannot recommend him too highly.
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29 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
He is not ethical. He will try and overcharge you. His office is disorganized. I had a horrible experience with him.
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09 Sep, 2008 by Anonymous
Extremely incommunicable....never respond to phone calls or e-mail, unprofessional...
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18 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
She lied in her report, recommending denial of PIP payment from insurance company to injured party rear ended in mva. She simply made things up to fit her agenda. Total joke.
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23 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
Retained Michelle while she was an attorney at Aceto, Bonner and Cole. Her overall manner, attitude and tone reflected how utterly miserable she was doing her job. She pushed us to settle for small amount of money. We refused and fortunately it was to our benefit as we got more in the end. She wanted to get the case over with and had NO patience for discussing options other than what she insisted we do. Being polite and respectful is not her wheelhouse. She has no interest in her client's perspective. Dictatorial and rude. Very unresponsive to requests for information or updates. Had to chase her down for answers.
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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:
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
