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16 May, 2022 by Mark and josie preston
I haven’t had the opportunity to avail myself of his services, (hence three stars) and honestly, I hope I never do. However, Jim is a cycling enthusiast which means he intimately understands both the law as well as what we face on the roads each day as road cyclists. For these reasons, I believe he is well equipped to stand in court as my advocate, and if I ever need his services, I’ll call him first.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Julie simpson
I was hit by a car while riding my bike 4 months ago and suffered significant damage to my entire right arm (wrist, elbow, humerous, shoulder, ligaments). Once my surgeon confirmed the damage was worse than I initially anticipated, my ride group encouraged me to reach out to Jim Dodson, as he and his team support the cycling community in Florida. I have been working with Joe, Judi, and Kati and they have been exceptional in guiding me through this process. They are professional, kind, knowledgeable, communicate clearly and often, and set realistic expectations. I highly recommend Jim Dodson Law.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Carol speary
After being in a serious bicycle accident where I was hit by a car I understand the importance of having a good attorney on your side. A lawyer who understands cycling and the vehicle laws around cycling can make a huge difference. Jim Dodson is a cyclist, and a friend of cyclists, who will give you the help you need.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Steve hanas
We were very confused about how to handle our estate. Sylvia simplified everything and immediately grasped the our intentions. We left feeling 100% confident that our needs were met. We have already recommended Sylvia to several of our friends.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Savannah schlesman
One of the nicest and the most easy going people you will ever meet. Never hesitates to help someone out.
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23 Jun, 2023 by Maryann alexander
28 Aug, 2024 by Roberta beriault
Elaine Prado is awesome! She gets the job done. She helped me get papers filed the same day I asked for help and she got me the information I needed. Elaine is very pleasant to speak to and answered my questions quickly. Great Job! Thanks so much.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Cat liu
Young recently helped me out after a stressful car accident. I needed advice, and Young was extremely knowledgable and kind. He provided me clear and practical instructions and I will absolutely consult again him in the future for these matters.
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15 Aug, 2024 by La princess
27 Sep, 2024 by Leonard deprima
I had a problem with my HOA and found that Florida government agencies could not help
A friend recommended McFarland Gould so I called. They quickly directed me to a paralegal. Sam Pagan who works with attorney Phillip Dragonetti, who is expert in HOA and condominium disputes. Sam was very patient with me and spent a lot of time listening and gathering relevant documents. After Mr. Dragonetti reviewed my information, they arranged a conference call to discuss my case. He was very thorough and patient with me to discuss the pros and cons of my case. Although we decided that going forward with legal action would be premature , at this point, I was educated about my options and given guidance on next steps. I would highly recommend Mr Dragonetti to anyone who has issues with their HOA or condominium association.
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16 Sep, 2024 by Jenna bell
16 Sep, 2024 by Peter perkins
We are proud to be the third generation of our family to be clients of this outstanding law firm. Over the decades, McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan and Hogan has provided counsel, guidance and many services to us in a wide variety of circumstances. Most recently, the settling of our uncle and aunt's estate was executed with compassion, professionalism and sensitivity. All of the members of the staff here are superbly knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. Fees are appropriate for services rendered and we feel included in each process. We cannot say enough about how fortunate we are to have these great folks at our side and at our back as we move into this next senior phase of our own lives.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Roberta beriault
Elaine Prado is awesome! She gets the job done. She helped me get papers filed the same day I asked for help and she got me the information I needed. Elaine is very pleasant to speak to and answered my questions quickly. Great Job! Thanks so much.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Cat liu
Young recently helped me out after a stressful car accident. I needed advice, and Young was extremely knowledgable and kind. He provided me clear and practical instructions and I will absolutely consult again him in the future for these matters.
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15 Aug, 2024 by La princess
08 Sep, 2022 by Melissa
The last thing any business owner wants is to be sued. Unfortunately this will happy to every successful business owner. That’s where Nick shines. He starts communication with the other attorney and let’s them know we are prepared to do what it takes to resolve or negotiate the matter. He is very experienced at litigation. He has given us peace of mind so we can keep doing what we do best in our Business. If you find yourself being sued you can trust Nick Ekonomides to help you.
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04 Jan, 2019 by Deborah
I called Nickolas with some questions to see if I had a case concerning some real estate. He was an excellent listener, and spent 20 minutes with me on the phone, even though he'd already advised me that I could use small claims court and didn't need his services. He answered every question and then some. Very professional, very considerate.
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05 Nov, 2018 by Mike
Nick Ekonomides helped me through a very tough and protracted business litigation matter (shareholder dispute) that I was dealing with.
Nick was very level-headed throughout the extended litigation and I am very thankful that he believed in me and my case. He went way above-and-beyond and was my calming force throughout the emotional roller-coaster of ups-and-downs in my litigation.
He worked diligently and tirelessly to get me get a fair and equitable outcome and to ensure justice was served in my case and ultimately helped me get a resolution to the matter that I was happy with.
I highly recommend Nick if you have any commercial / business litigation matters as I believe he will give you a high level of service and representation like he did for me.
Thanks again Nick! 5 Stars all the way!
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23 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney and he sat on my case for 4 years. He procrastinated and did not take action until I advised he would be fired. I spoke to other clients and their complaints were similar. He procrastinates, is rude and incompetent.
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19 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Davis was very accommodating and extremely knowledgable in his profession. He answered all my questions with ease and settled the case within a reasonably fast time frame. He is both personal and professional and always kept me updated as necessary. Definitely recommend.
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17 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Davis was very clever with his arguments for our case. He thoroughly researched the issues and we were pleased with his persuasive correspondence to all parties involved.
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30 Apr, 2018 by Abigail
I had several conversations with attorney Baskin and found him to be very understanding and knowledgable. I found him easy to talk to and very kind when I discussed some things that occured during my childhood.
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08 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
I would not recommend this attorney due to many problems I had with him. If you want a pit bull, he might be your guy. But not all legal issues require a pit bull, or pit bully. He distorted my claim to make it more inflamatory. He claimed he would "make a big statement" but that we would just settle for much less. He turned a minor legal dispute in to a major issue that ran up my legal bill. The problem is he accused my former partner of fraud and forgery, which was not my claim. I was shocked when I saw what he had accused my former client of.
His work was also sloppy. He missed my name in his letters to opposing counsel, and appeared to be confusing my case with another. It was pretty disturbing. I had instructed him to settle the case to what a viewed as a reasonable offer, then found out he had already rejected it. I eventually settled for what amounted to less just to stop my dealings with him.
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03 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
I had a consultation with Mrs. Parker. She was very friendly, and had a very nice office. However, upon consulting with two other attorneys, I realized the information that she provided me with was completely incorrect. She clearly is not up to date on condo laws.
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18 Apr, 2021 by Chris
Anne has been our HOA community's attorney for several years. Over that period of time she has allowed the board of directors to break state laws and dismiss elected board members rights to obtain HOA documents which by the way is illegal. The quality of her work is sub par to say the least. She has made mistakes with our documents and we have had to send them back to her to get them fixed. She has no concept of understanding HOA law 720 and that Florida State Law requires ALL homeowners association elected board members access to any and all board related documents WOTHOUT the need for board approval! That includes any and all data, contracts, emails, billing, contact lists etc. The fact that she refused to turn over business documents to an elected board member should disqualify her from practicing law but for now I would advise you just not to hire her. Unless you want a yes mam as your attorney instead of one who will be honest, truthful and give sound advise in order to follow state law, do not hire her. Legal advise can make or break a community organization.
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30 Dec, 2014 by Jennifer
David Griffin held my $1000 earnest money for a real estate purchase contingent on my getting a mortgage. Mortgage was denied and David Griffin sent me $750.00 back, claiming $250 of my earnest money for work he had done on behalf of the SELLER. Unethical
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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.
