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26 Oct, 2021 by Dr. w. b. agurs
Same thing in my case. I broke my Ankle bone climbing company stairs. For TWO years I sent this lawyer every single document I received and even had some serious medical documents translated, at my expense. I was the one who constantly called his him, asked if he needed anything from me, each time I had to remind him WHO I was!
The Statutory time frame for WC claim is Two years. I found out from my NEW lawyer, but by this time the statutory timeframe was up and I had no legal rights to presure my employer.
I guess this lawyer actually worked for my employer.
Don’t waste your time, energy or mental health on this poor excuse of a lawyer.
BE WARNED!!!!!!
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06 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
I sustained a serious work injury. I was looking for a good WC attorney and contacted Pond Lehocky. I was advised that they did not handle WC in my state, so they gave me Jeffrey Stern, who practices in my state. After signing up with him I thought he was a good attorney. His office was very unorganized and he was dressed in shorts when I had my first consultation with him, but he seemed to be very good per our conversation. As my case went on, I gave him updates of all of my treatment and the shenanigans my employer was trying to pull. The case was proceeding along, so there was nothing urgent to be done as I was treating. Well, after my treatment was coming to a close and the physician and my employer were trying to force me back to work, it was time for Mr. Stern to act. Not only did he stop communicating with me, he lied and told me he was doing things on my claim that I found out he was not doing. I got fed up and fired him. He lied to me and to the court. When I did get a new attorney, I found out that my employer's counsel had sent him paperwork that I needed to fill out 3 times for completion, which he ignored and never sent to me. My employer's counsel was about to file a petition to have my claim closed. Thank God I found a new attorney before that happened.
Mr. Stern is lazy, and unorganized. I also found out that he goes to court unorganized. I would not suggest that anyone trust him with a serious claim.
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03 Nov, 2016 by Kelly
I had an excellent experience working with Jeff regarding a car accident case. He was always available and quick to respond. This was a difficult process, and Jeff reduced a lot of my stress. He had my best interest in mind, taking into account my needs and advising me accordingly. Lastly, I feel like he understood how important it was for me to understand the legal process itself and the all options available to me. Jeff is down to earth; made this process easy. I would certainly recommend him.
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13 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
Too expensive for our needs. Charged $8000 just for two meetings and some emails, yet he produced no engineering report. Promised a lot, but I think he was expecting a lot more money down the road and yet had produced nothing. Unsuitable lawyer for small private home owner Sandy case involving less than 40K. No return on investment. We ended up having to switch to another lawyer after a month and he wouldn't return our money even though he had not produced anything yet. Sent us emails blaming us for everything. Very unpleasant experience.
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09 Sep, 2014 by Joyce
I thought this might be the answer to my problem. A Sandy contractor bailed half way through the project and kept insurance money of thirty thousand dollars. I should have never selected a corporate lawyer. I spend over five thousand dollars on two meetings and reading 10 emails, and they delivered nothing after a month, claiming they needed more time. In over a month, they failed to inform me that the contractor was already broke and had other lawsuits against him. I found this out for free on line. I don't know what I paid five thousand dollars for, I had to get another lawyer to handle by special court lawsuit negotiations and answer the contractor's small counterclaim. Big mistake.
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24 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Don made may promises and delivered low results. Very friendly, however legal ethics and billable hours very suspect and questionable. It took years to clean-up Don's mistakes. Be careful.
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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.
